Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall advice

Question

Will be visiting Mutianyu Great Wall soon. Would like to get advice on how to go about in visiting the site like the route, cable car, ticket, degree of difficulty etc. TQVM

Answer

Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the best-preserved and least crowded sections of the Great Wall near Beijing, making it very suitable for a day trip. It is famous for its beautiful scenery, watchtowers every 200–300 meters, and relatively moderate hiking difficulty compared to sections like Jinshanling or Simatai.

Here’s a detailed guide for visiting:

Tickets: Entrance tickets are required, generally around RMB 45–60 for adults. Cable car tickets are separate, usually RMB 100–120 for a round trip or RMB 60–70 for one-way up. There is also a toboggan option for descending, which is about RMB 50–70.
Getting there: From Beijing, the easiest options are:
- Private car or taxi: about 1.5–2 hours from downtown Beijing.
- Tour buses or organized day tours: often include round-trip transport and guide.
- Public bus: Bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Subway Station to Huairou, then local bus or taxi to Mutianyu entrance. This takes longer but is cheaper.
Route & Cable Car: Most visitors take the cable car up to save energy, especially if you plan to walk along the wall extensively. From the top, you can walk either east or west along the wall. The east section is slightly longer and less steep; the west section is shorter but includes more stairs. Descending can be done by cable car or the toboggan slide, which is fun for families and saves time.
Degree of Difficulty: Mutianyu is moderate in difficulty. The wall has stairs of varying steepness, some sections are steep but manageable. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Elderly or less fit visitors may prefer taking the cable car up and toboggan down.
Time required: Plan about 2–4 hours depending on how far you walk along the wall. Taking the cable car up and toboggan down can reduce hiking time to around 2 hours.
Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and for better lighting for photos. Spring and autumn are ideal for pleasant weather.

Additional tips:

Bring water and snacks; there are small vendors near the entrance but limited on the wall.
Wear layers as temperatures can vary at higher elevation.
Consider combining the trip with a visit to the nearby village for local snacks or sightseeing.

Overall, Mutianyu is highly recommended for first-time visitors and families due to its accessibility, moderate difficulty, and scenic beauty.