The Great Wall of China, or Chángchéng (长城), is an architectural marvel that will leave you speechless. Considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World, it stretches nearly 22,000 km and its construction spanned over 2,000 years. The most significant and best-preserved sections today were rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty between the 14th and 17th centuries. While several sections are easily accessible—such as Badaling and Jinshanling—our recommended spot is Mutianyu, a less crowded segment with various activities that make the visit a complete experience.
To reach Mutianyu from Beijing, you have several options, but the most convenient is to take a tourist bus, which takes about an hour and a half to reach the Mutianyu Great Wall Travel Office. This area has cafés, restaurants, and small markets. From here, you can access the shuttle bus station, which will take you to the base of the Mutianyu wall section in about 15 minutes. At this point, it’s important to make sure you’re carrying enough water for several hours of walking and something to eat if needed. While you may find some stalls selling drinks and snacks at a few watchtowers, it’s best to be prepared just in case supplies are limited during certain seasons.
From the base, you have several options to reach the wall. If you’re looking for comfort, we recommend taking the cable car, which will drop you directly on top of the wall. If you’re feeling up for a bit of a challenge and want to enjoy the scenery, you can choose to hike up a few stair sections, which takes about 30–45 minutes. It’s somewhat tough, but the reward is watching the landscape change gradually as you ascend.
When you’re on the Wall, the first thing you should do is plan which parts you want to see, and pay close attention to the temperature and your ability to handle the constant uphill climbs. Walking along the Great Wall requires the same effort as hiking up a mountain—only it’s paved and full of stairs (you’ll be dreaming about them!). So don’t underestimate the walk, even though the section is only 2.25 km long.
Completing the full route is quite demanding and can take between 5 and 6 hours if you want to enjoy the scenery and stop at some of the towers. You’ll most likely need to choose just one direction, especially if temperatures are high, since the only shaded resting spots are inside the towers, and in hot weather you’ll want to pause at every single one. Whatever you choose, we recommend reaching one of the two ends: either Tower 20 to the west, which is steeper, or Tower 1 to the east, which is a bit gentler. That way, you’ll finish your walk at one of the highest points of the section, where you can rest and peacefully take in the breathtaking views.
Once you’re done hiking and ready to end your visit, in addition to returning by cable car or walking down, you also have the option to take the chairlift or slide down on a toboggan—a small sled where you control the speed yourself using a simple brake mechanism. The toboggan station is at Tower 6 and covers a descent of approximately 1.5 kilometers. We recommend this option because it’s affordable, fun, and very safe!
Back at the Information Center, you can relax and have lunch at one of the buffet-style restaurants, and wait for the bus while strolling through the market and picking up a souvenir to remember the experience. You’ll be back in Beijing by mid-afternoon—tired, but very satisfied.
Want to travel to Mutianyu and discover the Great Wall of China easily from Beijing? Contact us and we’ll design the perfect experience for an unforgettable trip.