Getting to Mutianyu at a glance
Mutianyu lies about 70 km from the center of Beijing. You can go by public bus with one change, by a tour bus that sells the trip with entry, by taxi or ride-hailing, with a private car and driver, or in your own car. The distance is a rough figure and not the exact route from every hotel.
The public bus is the cheapest way and the slowest. A tour bus costs more and removes the change. A taxi is the fastest option and the dearest. Prices below are those listed in 2026, and they change.
Your options compared
Prices in Chinese yuan. Taxi and ride-hailing prices vary with traffic, tolls and waiting time.
| Option | Price in 2026 | Time | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public bus: 916 Express, then a local bus | CNY 12 to 17 for the first leg | 60–90 minutes to Huairou | Change in Huairou. Taxi from there CNY 30 to 50 |
| Group tour bus (example) | CNY 140 to 240 | About 1.5 hours each way | Includes entry and the internal shuttle |
| Taxi or ride-hailing | CNY 200 to 300 one way | About 1.5 hours | A waiting car for the return costs CNY 400 to 600 |
| Private car and guide (example) | CNY 400 to 1,800 per person | Hotel pickup | Price depends on group size |
| Own car | – | About 1.5 hours | Parking fees may apply, see below |
Our picks: tours from Beijing
Day tours with transfer from the city, by bus or by private car.
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.
Private Mutianyu tour with hotel pickup
A private air-conditioned car with hotel transfer, entry and water. You get an English-speaking driver or guide, depending on your choice; lunch and cable car, chairlift or toboggan are extra.
Check availability →
Mutianyu day tour with English guide
Bus or van transfer, an English-speaking guide, entry and the internal shuttle. Lunch is included only with the lunch option; cable car and 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 →Mutianyu tours from Beijing
Group trips by bus, private cars with a guide and guided hikes, with live prices and availability.
By public bus, step by step
Public transport runs in two legs, so plan the change.
1. Go to Dongzhimen
Start at the Dongzhimen public transport hub, where the 916 Express leaves. Check the current departure times and the stop before you go.
2. Take the 916 Express to Huairou Beidajie
The bus runs to the stop Huairou Beidajie. Plan 60 to 90 minutes. The fare is between CNY 12 and CNY 17.
3. Change to bus H23, H3 or H71
From Huairou Beidajie, one of these buses runs to the stop Mutianyujingqu, next to the scenic area. A taxi from Huairou costs about CNY 30 to 50 for this last stretch.
4. Plan your return
Know the last connection before you set out. A ride back from the wall is not guaranteed late in the day, so do not leave the return to chance.
Tour buses from Beijing
Operators sell a seat with entry. Check what is included.
Bus at CNY 180 or CNY 240
One operator meets at Dongzhimen exit C, with departures at 06:30, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 13:00. The price covers the return bus, entry, the internal shuttle and an English-speaking host on the bus. The CNY 240 version adds a buffet. You spend about 5 hours at the site. The rides cost extra.
Bus at CNY 140
Another operator meets at Dengshikou exit C, with departures daily at 08:00 and 09:00. It includes the return coach, entry, the internal shuttle and an English-speaking host on the bus, and the return arrives in the Ditan and Lama Temple area. Children under 6 travel free. The cable car and the toboggan are extra, and the price does not include hotel pickup.
The host on the bus is not a guide on the wall
A host on the bus does not walk the wall with you. One bus operator states clearly that it does not accompany guests on the wall. If you want a guide on the wall, book a private or guided tour.
Tours compared →Check the return time
Trips run about 1.5 hours each way. A return at 18:30 can clash with closing time on some days, so compare the bus time with the hours on your day.
Opening hours →By taxi, private car or your own car
A taxi or ride-hailing car from central Beijing costs about CNY 200 to 300 one way and takes around 1.5 hours with good traffic. A waiting car for the return trip is CNY 400 to 600. Tolls, waiting time and traffic change the total, and these are not fixed fares.
A private tour from Beijing sends a car or van with a driver and an English-speaking guide, picks you up at your hotel and brings you back. Entry, the internal shuttle and a buffet are included, and the cable car and the toboggan are not. The price is per person and depends on the group: CNY 1,800 for one person, CNY 1,000 for two, CNY 800 for three, CNY 700 for four, CNY 600 for five, CNY 500 for six to nine and CNY 400 from ten people.
If you drive, take the Beijing-Chengde Expressway, also called the Jingcheng Expressway, to exit 13 at Beitai Road. From there go via Kuangou and follow the signs to Mutianyu. Parking fees may apply. Check the current fee on arrival.
When you arrive
The visitor center and service area are separate from the wall. The internal shuttle runs from there to the wall area and costs CNY 15 return. Then you pass the access control and start the climb or take a ride. This shuttle is not the coach from Beijing. It is a short link inside the site.
If you come from abroad, bring your passport. For entry rules, see tickets, and for the rides see cable car, chairlift and toboggan. For the stay in the city, where to stay in Beijing covers the districts.
Getting to Mutianyu: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Beijing to Mutianyu by public transport?
Take the 916 Express from the Dongzhimen hub to Huairou Beidajie. Then change to bus H23, H3 or H71 to the Mutianyujingqu stop. The trip has two legs.
How long does it take?
The bus to Huairou takes 60 to 90 minutes, plus the change. By taxi or tour bus, plan around 1.5 hours each way.
How much is a taxi from Beijing to Mutianyu?
About CNY 200 to 300 one way and CNY 400 to 600 with a car that waits and returns. Tolls and traffic change the price, so agree on the price before you set out.
Is a tour bus cheaper than doing it myself?
A tour bus at CNY 140 to 240 includes the bus both ways, entry and the internal shuttle, so it is often close to the cost of the public bus plus entry, with no change. Rides are extra.
Can I visit Mutianyu on a layover?
That depends on your entry rules and your onward ticket. The 240-hour transit rule needs a confirmed ticket to a third country, and it is a separate rule from the 30-day visa-free entry. See visa-free entry to China and allow time for the 1.5-hour trip each way.