Mutianyu Great Wall Guide (What to Expect, Tips, and How to Book)

The Great Wall of China is one of the most unbelievable things I have ever seen. Sometimes you get to a landmark and go “meh, kind of underwhelming”….this is not one of those. Here’s what you need to know before visiting the Great Wall of China.

Assuming you already have your trip to Beijing planned…I will explain how I made my day trip to the Great Wall easy & stress free. If this helps, can also check out my full China Travel Guide.

I researched for DAYS, but thanks to the internet, I booked a ticket for a day trip to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. There are a few sections you can visit but this is what I went with:

🏯 GREAT WALL DAY TRIP SUMMARY

Section	Mutianyu - best for first timers, has cable car and toboggan
Tour Company	MuBus - includes transport, guide, cable car and buffet lunch
Distance from Beijing	~90 minutes by bus from central Beijing
Entry Fee	~65 CNY ($9 USD) - included in MuBus tour price
Opening Hours	8am to 5pm daily (seasonal variations)
Must Bring	Passport, water, good shoes, phone charger, Alipay set up
Verdict	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the most incredible things you will ever see

MuBus Great Wall of China Tour

I cannot speak on the other sections but I absolutely loved this experience. If you want to do your own research and decide which part is best for you, go for it! (This one has the toboggan slide down from the wall if you are going with kids) (or if you are an adult and want a toboggan).

Mubus was the company running the “tour” and they were in contact with me a few days prior on WhatsApp. (Keep in mind, MuBus is not some rinky dink operation, they have an entire building at “basecamp” where you have access to a lunch buffet, drinks, and just a place to cool off.

I was given instructions to meet outside of a major train station in Beijing at 745am. I landed in Beijing at Midnight…therefore, I didn’t get to know what China was like prior. That being said…

GET ACCUSTOMED to China before tackling the tour. I almost missed the bus because I thought I could walk…turns out Beijing is absolutely massive so I panicked and ordered a Didi (Uber) on Alipay. After that, I couldn’t find the group. But after I texted them I was given specific instructions and I realized I was just being an idiot. Moral of the story, China is slightly intimidating.

Looking back now, China is extremely easy to navigate, to in which I have a post about that coming.

Mutianyu Great Wall Section

There was maybe 30-40(?) people there, with a few showing up late. Soon our guide (with his karaoke speaker and massive flag) led us to the bus. This type of group tour isn’t something I normally do, but am THANKFUL I did. Navigating to rural China seems pretty complex to handle on your own.

We were heading to the Mutianyu section of the wall, one of the easiest parts to visit. And as I mentioned before…the one with the slide.

The bus was plenty big, I sat by myself and enjoyed the AC while looking out the window. It took maybe 90 minutes to arrive, with the guide passing out cards, tickets, information, and most importantly…teaching us the history. I wouldn’t recommend putting in headphones for this ride. He was a cool and energetic guide who was excited to help out with any questions about the Wall, or China.

We arrived at basecamp #1 (we will call it)….Just a massive area where groups were meeting and kids were arriving from field trips. It was like a mini town with shops and food spots including MUBUS’s building. He showed us where it was because after this…. you are essentially on your own until rendezvousing back there for the ride back to Beijing. The snacks and drinks were not free at this time, but you could grab some.

Bring Water.

After a short walk through basecamp #1 you arrive at an “amusement park” type queue with COUNTLESS busses that will take you to basecamp #2. It took no time at all, there was a bus every 20 seconds. You will need your passport probably 10 times during the day by the way….bring it. Always keep your passport with you in China.

Basecamp #2 is when you realize “oh this might actually be a work out”. It’s essentially a giant hill with restaurants and vendors. There is actually a GREAT WALL SUBWAY if you want a western sandwich fix. Your quads will get a pretty nice workout to the top of the hill. After the stroll you will notice a trail into the forest (if you’re crazy) or a cable car. The cable car was free if you have your passport, but your guide will explain all that.

Mutianyu Great Wall Cable Car

Soon you’ll be swaying directly up the mountain like you’re going skiing. It was a very fun ride, I didn’t realize how high we were actually going….but the views are starting to become INSANE.

Getting to the top is jaw dropping….words will not do justice. It’s quite packed at the “landing zone”. There are 2 options, walk left, or walk right. I headed left.

Walking The Great Wall of China

IMPORTANT: you have no idea how extreme the wall really is. It’s not flat. It’s not smooth. So WEAR GOOD SHOES. Who knows how far it was, but I eventually got to some guard outposts and you can climb to the top. It was very awesome (I think some illegal souvenirs were being sold inside). If you continue on this path, you will reach the HERO SLOPE, aka a ridiculous climb to the highest and farthest you can go. The guide gave us an inspirational speech about it on the bus.

It was a WARZONE. People of ALL ages lined the sides resting because it was genuinely exhausting to get to the top. People just sprawled out hiding under umbrellas for shade, not even exaggerating, ages 8 to 88. I will put up some pictures to try and show the steepness.

After becoming a HERO it was time for me to walk back to the landing zone. Let’s just say my speed declined and I had to buy water from an illegal salesperson on the side of the wall. The cable car had a ridiculous line, but it flew by.

A negative thing about China (and some other asian countries) is that….people are so impatient in queues. They will try to cut you, it’s very bizarre and uncomfortable. As long as you know it’s coming, you will be more relaxed about it. After the walk through basecamp #2, we arrived to basecamp #1, and MUBUS headquarters.

MUBUS Great Wall Buffet

The buffet was actually quite good with plenty of options. It was more so a westernized Chinese buffet, so there was nothing “scary” (to less adventurous eaters).

Nothing mind blowing, but it gets the job done after a long day walking the Great Wall. A Coca-Cola classic was super refreshing after about 6 gallons of water on this scorching day. This is a good time to post to your social media and talk to new friends you may have met.

I was actually back a little earlier than the time they advised, but turns out there are a few busses…so you can add your name to the list and hop on an earlier bus (which I did). They have a little gift shop as well and you can grab some random souvenirs if you choose. It was such an incredible day so I decided to buy some trinkets just to say I bought them at the Wall. You pay with Alipay of course, read more about that on my China preparation blog soon.

The AC on the bus felt amazing. This was a less upbeat ride due to everybody being exhausted, but the guide came around and talked to everybody and thanked us for booking with MUBUS…it was a great touch. He was answering any general China questions you may have as well. I was personally confused about the metro and he helped me out.

We arrived back exactly where we began at 8am and all went our separate ways.

MUBUS Great Wall Tour Review

Keep in mind this type of group thing is NOT something I usually do, so if i enjoyed it, you will. I could have been lucky with getting great guides and having no annoying people on my bus, so don’t forget that. But with that being said, I would totally recommend MUBUS to anybody trying to experience the Wall. Thanks again to the internet for showing me this tour. Once again, you can book it here.

Don’t forget your phone, passport, small bag, and an external phone charger. Bring water and make sure your Alipay is set up.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Which section of the Great Wall is best to visit? +

Mutianyu is the best section for most first time visitors. It is well restored, less crowded than Badaling, has a cable car both ways, and uniquely has a toboggan slide down from the wall. Badaling is the most famous and most crowded. Jinshanling is more remote and better for hikers wanting a quieter experience. Mutianyu hits the sweet spot for the majority of visitors.

How far is Mutianyu from Beijing? +

Mutianyu is approximately 70km northeast of central Beijing. By bus or tour it takes around 90 minutes each way depending on traffic. By private car it can be slightly faster. It is a straightforward day trip from the city with an early start recommended.

Is the Great Wall of China worth visiting? +

Absolutely - it is one of the few landmarks in the world that genuinely exceeds expectations. Unlike some famous sites that feel underwhelming in person, the Great Wall is jaw dropping when you arrive. The scale, the history, and the views are unlike anything else. It is not optional if you are visiting Beijing.

What should I wear to the Great Wall of China? +

Wear comfortable shoes with proper grip - this is non-negotiable. The wall is steep, uneven, and the steps vary dramatically in size. Trainers or hiking shoes are ideal. Flip flops or dress shoes will make your day miserable. Lightweight breathable clothing is recommended in summer as it gets extremely hot. Bring a small bag for water and your passport.

Can you take a cable car at the Great Wall of China? +

Yes - Mutianyu has a cable car that takes you up to the wall and back down. It is free with your passport on the MuBus tour. There is also a toboggan slide as an alternative way down which is popular with both kids and adults. The cable car line can get long in the afternoon so try to time your descent for mid-morning if possible.

Do I need Alipay to visit the Great Wall? +

You will need Alipay or WeChat Pay for most purchases in China including at the Great Wall. Cash is rarely accepted and western credit cards are often not supported. Set up Alipay before you arrive in China - you can link an international card to it. If you book through MuBus the main costs are covered but you will need Alipay for any additional food, drinks, or souvenirs on the day.

Should I book a tour or visit the Great Wall independently? +

A tour is strongly recommended for first time visitors to China. Navigating to a rural location like Mutianyu independently involves multiple transport changes, potential language barriers, and the risk of getting lost. A tour like MuBus handles all the logistics including transport, guide, cable car tickets, and lunch so you can just focus on enjoying the experience.

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