Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu Great Wall is a good option for visitors with a full day to devote to the wall, as well as families looking for not-too-strenuous hiking away from the crowds. Travelers can choose to climb to the top via restored steps equipped with handrails, or opt for a leisurely cable car ride to the highest restored section. From the top of the cable car, visitors can explore the area before hopping back on for a return trip, taking one of the trails leading back down, or continuing east along the wall to the toboggan ride for a slide back to the bottom. The site is often visited with a guide who can help navigate the steeper portions of the wall and offer historical insight, and a trip can be combined with visits to other Beijing attractions, such as the Ming Tombs, the Olympic facilities, or the China Aviation Museum.

• The Mutianyu Great Wall is ideal for families with kids.

• Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes, especially if you plan to climb up to the wall.

• Mutianyu tours from Beijing can last between 5 and 14 hours.

• There's little shade on the wall, so be sure to wear sun protection and keep hydrated.

The Great Wall at Mutianyu is 40 miles (65 kilometers) north of Beijing. Due to a lack of convenient public transportation from the city to Mutianyu Great Wall, it's much easier to visit as part of a guided private tour or small-group tour. Those who wish to visit independently must first get to Dongzhimen, then transfer to Bus 867 to Mutianyu or Bus 916 to Huairou (then take a local minibus to the wall).

The area is open to tourists from morning to early evening daily. Spring and autumn offer mild weather and sparser crowds on the wall than the summer season, when the Mutianyu section of the wall can get quite hot and crowded. National holidays, particularly National Day in early October and Labor Day in early May, can be especially busy.

Adventurous travelers looking for a more in-depth Great Wall experience can opt to hike between Mutianyu and Jiankou. The most popular route starts at the Jiankou section with a 1-hour climb up to the wall, followed by about 4 hours of leisurely walking from the rugged, wild portion of the wall to the well-restored section at Mutianyu. Hike independently or as part of a guided hiking tour.

The Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of China, so visiting it offers a more authentic experience than you’d get at the reconstructed sections. In the past, this section protected the capital and its imperial tombs from attack against rivals such as the Mongols to the north.

For a more authentic experience, visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which is one of the best preserved. Badaling is incredibly popular since it’s easy to get to and has been restored to look shiny and new. Badaling draws more Chinese tourists than Mutianyu.

The Great Wall at Mutianyu is 3.4 miles (5.4 kilometers) long and takes 2-3 hours to climb. It’s a doable day trip from Beijing since it’s only about a 1.5-hour drive, depending on traffic. Wear comfy shoes for the uneven terrain.

The best times to visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu are spring (March–May) or fall (September–October) when the weather is most pleasant. It’s not too hot like the summer and not bitterly cold like the winter. You’ll especially appreciate the moderate temperatures if you plan on hiking.

The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall dates back to 1368 AD and was built to defend the Chinese capital by the main general at the time, Xu Da. It stretches from Gubeikou and Juyongguan. Today, it draws visitors with modern attractions such as toboggan and souvenir shops.

Yes, the Mutianyu Great Wall is worth it. It’s not too far from Beijing, so it’s an easy day trip. Combine a walk along this section of the Great Wall with lunch, some shopping, and a ride down the toboggan for a great day out.