How to Visit the Great Wall on a Day Trip from Beijing: My Amazing Experience

The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s most iconic landmarks and of the Seven Wonders of the Word, no trip to Beijing is complete without experiencing its grandeur firsthand. If you’re short on time but still want to make the most of your visit, a day trip is the perfect solution. I recently had an incredible experience visiting the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, and I want to share how easy it is to plan this unforgettable excursion.

Me at the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall - August 2024

Disclaimer: this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Why choose the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall for a day trip from Beijing?

While there are several sections of the Great Wall you can visit from Beijing, Mutianyu stands out for a few key reasons:

• Fewer Crowds: Compared to the popular Badaling section, Mutianyu is less crowded, giving you more room to explore and take in the stunning views without being surrounded by large groups of tourists.

• Restored and Scenic: This section is beautifully restored and features lush greenery, making it one of the most picturesque parts of the wall.

• Easier to Climb: Mutianyu is also known for having a gentler incline compared to other sections, which makes it a more manageable hike for most visitors.

• Easier to reach: This section of the Great Wall is also the easiest to reach on a day trip from the center of Beijing or from the airport in case your doing a stopover in Beijing and you want to make the most out of your time.
  

Booking the perfect tour: my experience

I decided to book a tour to Mutianyu through GetYourGuide, and I couldn’t have been happier with my choice. The tour I selected was the Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour, which turned out to be incredibly convenient and well-organized.

The entrance of the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall - August 2024

Here’s why I highly recommend it:

1. Easy pick-up and comfortable travel: The tour began with a super convenient pick-up from Dongzhimen Station in Beijing, just a short walk from a lively area full of hotels, cafes, and restaurants, an ideal spot to base yourself in the capital. I chose a charming, foreigner-friendly hutong near the Lama Temple for my stay. This location gave me easy access to Dongzhimen and allowed me to reach other parts of the city with ease, and I couldn't have been happier with my choice. After a pleasant walk to the meeting point, the friendly, English-speaking staff welcomed me, making check-in a breeze. Shortly afterward, we boarded the bus, which was comfortable and spacious, with air conditioning and enough room to relax on the 1.5-hour ride to Mutianyu. Our guide introduced us to all the options for exploring this section of the Great Wall and provided detailed directions for navigating from one point to another. They also shared fascinating historical insights about the Wall, bringing the journey to life and making the trip all the more immersive.
   

2. Flexible tour options: One of the highlights of this tour is its flexibility, allowing you to tailor the experience to your preferences. I opted for a round-trip cable car ride, which offered incredible views of a picturesque section of the Great Wall. However, you can also choose to go up by cable car and take the toboggan down for a bit of added adventure! Both options require a small additional fee of 150 RMB, which feels reasonable given the already affordable tour price. There’s also flexibility with meal options: you can either opt to pay for lunch on-site or bring snacks along and save your appetite for a late lunch or early dinner back in Beijing, where endless great restaurant choices await.

   

   Stunning view of the Great Wall from the cable car - August 2024

3. Ample free time to explore: Upon arrival, we had several hours to explore the Great Wall at our own pace. Whether you’re eager to hike along the wall, capture stunning photos, or simply soak in the breathtaking views, there’s ample time to do it all without feeling rushed. I felt incredibly lucky that day, the sky was a brilliant blue, the temperature was perfect, and the Wall wasn’t crowded at all. It was a truly unforgettable experience, made even more memorable by the ideal conditions.
   

4. No stress about tickets: One of the best aspects of this tour was that all tickets were included, so I didn’t have to worry about buying entrance or cable car tickets on-site. The tour agency staff handled everything seamlessly, making it a truly stress-free experience. Entry is simple; you’ll just need to scan your passport to access the Great Wall area and the cable car, which is standard practice across China. The only detail to keep in mind is the payment for the cable car option. The staff conveniently takes care of this on the bus, you just let them know your choice and can pay directly via Alipay or WeChat, making it all incredibly easy.

   

   Walking along the Great Wall - August 2024

Practical tips for your day trip

• Wear comfortable shoes: Even though Mutianyu is one of the more accessible sections, you’ll still be doing a fair bit of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable footwear.

• Bring snacks and water: There are a few food stalls near the entrance, but it’s a good idea to bring your own snacks and especially water from Beijing to stay energized during your visit.

• Dress in layers: Weather at the Wall can change quickly, so layering is key for comfort. If you're visiting in summer, remember to wear a hat, as the sun can be quite intense on a clear day.

• Pay attention to the guide: During the bus ride, be sure to listen to the guide’s instructions. They’ll explain essential details, like navigating the Wall area, where to find buses and cable cars, how far you can walk, and how to return to Beijing smoothly.

• Avoid public holidays and weekends: The Great Wall can get very crowded, especially during weekends and Chinese public holidays. I visited on a Tuesday in late August, and it was wonderfully not busy, a great experience! If possible, plan your visit for a weekday outside of holiday periods for a more relaxed experience.

  

  View of the Great Wall from one of the panoramic points - August 2024

Final thoughts

Visiting the Great Wall of China was an unforgettable experience, and choosing the Mutianyu section through a well-organized tour made it all the more enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for a scenic hike, a fun adventure, or simply want to immerse yourself in one of the world’s greatest wonders, a day trip from Beijing to the Great Wall is an absolute must.

If you’re considering a visit but you’re short on time, I highly recommend the Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour. It’s the perfect way to see this iconic landmark while keeping everything simple, stress-free, and full of adventure!