Mutianyu in the Beijing picture
Mutianyu lies in Huairou district, within the municipality of Beijing and about 70 km from the city centre. You can see it in one day, but the trip uses most of that day: bus or car to the district, a short last stretch, then the wall.
The city itself has plenty to fill other days. The Forbidden City and the old centre are covered in detail on the sister site, so this page stays with the trips that start from Beijing and head out to the hills.
Day trips from Beijing
What each one is, and how you reach it.
Mutianyu
The section covered by this guide. Ming-era wall with towers close together and crenellations on both sides, reached by cable car, chairlift and on foot. From Dongzhimen, take the 916 Express to Huairou Beidajie, then bus H23, H3 or H71 to Mutianyujingqu. Taxi and tours are alternatives.
How to get to Mutianyu →Badaling
The section you can reach by high-speed train from Qinghe or Beijing North. The ride between stations takes 19 to 40 minutes, and a second-class ticket runs CNY 16 to 31 in the 2026 timetables. Allow extra time from your hotel to the station.
Mutianyu or Badaling →Juyongguan
A mountain pass complex in Changping district. Seasonal evening programmes have run here in late summer, so check what is on for your dates.
Jinshanling
A section with cross walls and bricks carrying inscriptions. The ridges are staggered, which gives long layered views. It is farther out than Mutianyu, so plan a long day.
Simatai
Known for evening visits linked with Gubei WTown. These are seasonal, and other sections, Mutianyu included, have run evening programmes too.
Our picks: Great Wall plus Beijing
Combine Mutianyu with the Ming Tombs, the Forbidden City or the Summer Palace in one day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Mutianyu and Ming Tombs private tour
Entry to the wall and the Ming Tombs, shuttle, hotel transfer, water and a private air-conditioned car. A guide comes only with the matching option; meals and cable car, chairlift or toboggan are extra.
Check availability →
Mutianyu and Forbidden City private tour
Entry to the wall and the Forbidden City, shuttle, hotel transfer, water and a private air-conditioned car. A guide comes only with the matching option; meals and cable car, chairlift or toboggan are extra.
Check availability →
Mutianyu tour with optional Summer Palace stop
Bus or private car with hotel transfer, depending on the option, an English-speaking guide, entry and the shuttle. Cable car and toboggan are extra, as is the Summer Palace boat ride.
Check availability →Great Wall and Beijing day tours
Group and private trips from Beijing to Mutianyu and other sights, with live prices and availability.
The Ming Tombs
The Ming Tombs are a group of imperial burial sites in Changping, north of the city. Changling, Dingling, Zhaoling and the Sacred Way are open to visitors. Kangling, Yongling, Siling and Jingling need advance booking.
Jingling opened on 22 December 2025. Visits need an online reservation and come with an assigned guide. Booking runs through the Ming Tombs' account on Douyin or the WeChat mini-program of the Changping Cultural Tourism Group.
Treat the tombs and Mutianyu as separate trips. There is no standard combined ticket or direct public link between them, so do not plan both into a single short day. Check opening and prices for your date before you go.
Great Wall sections compared
One line on each, to help you pick a day trip.
| Section | Getting there | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Mutianyu | Bus 916 Express and a local bus, or road | Cable car, open chairlift, toboggan |
| Badaling | High-speed train from Qinghe or Beijing North | Reached by train |
| Juyongguan | Changping district | Pass complex, seasonal evening programmes |
| Jinshanling | Longer road trip | Cross walls, inscribed bricks, layered ridges |
| Simatai | Longer road trip | Evening visits with Gubei WTown |
If you want the sections head to head, read Mutianyu or Badaling. If you want to walk a longer stretch, see the guide to hiking from Jiankou, where rules on closed sections apply.
Planning a day trip
Points that apply to every trip out of the city.
Start early
Mutianyu opens at 7:30 in the main season, 16 March to 15 November 2026, and the road from the city takes time. An early start leaves room for the wall and the return journey.
Book with your name
Wall tickets are booked with your name and passport details. See tickets for prices and the booking steps.
Plan the return
Taxis back from Huairou are not guaranteed. If you travel on your own, work out the last bus or arrange a car before you climb.
Keep a spare day
Bad weather can close the wall in part or in full. A free day in your Beijing plan lets you move the trip.
Beijing city and how to fit it in
The Forbidden City, the old centre and the city's other sights are covered by our sister guide: see the Forbidden City guide for tickets, reservations and routes, and when to visit Beijing for seasons.
A simple plan for a few days: one day on the city, one day at the wall, and a spare day for a second trip or a bad-weather swap. The wall can close in part or in full in poor weather, so keep a day free if you can. For where to sleep, see where to stay, and for visas and payment the travel tips.
Beijing day trips: frequently asked questions
How far is Mutianyu from Beijing?
About 70 km from the centre. Plan a full day, with the bus journey to Huairou, a local bus or taxi for the last stretch, and time on the wall.
Can I visit the Ming Tombs and Mutianyu in one day?
They are separate trips with no standard combined ticket or direct public link. A single short day for both is not a safe plan.
How do I reach Badaling?
By high-speed train from Qinghe or Beijing North. The ride between stations takes 19 to 40 minutes, and a second-class ticket runs CNY 16 to 31 in 2026 timetables.
Which day trip is best for a first visit?
That depends on what you want. Mutianyu has the cable car, chairlift and toboggan, Badaling is easiest by train, and Jinshanling needs a longer day. The comparison table above shows the main differences.
Where can I read about the Forbidden City?
On our sister guide, forbidden-city.org, which covers tickets, reservations and routes. This site stays with the Great Wall and the trips from Beijing.