Mutianyu or Badaling: the short answer
Choose Mutianyu if you want a cable car, an open chairlift and a toboggan ride down, and you are happy with a bus or car transfer of about 70 km from central Beijing. Choose Badaling if you want to go by high-speed train from the city and would rather keep the trip simple.
Both are day trips from Beijing, and neither is better in every way. This page compares how you get there, what you can ride and what else is nearby.
Mutianyu and Badaling side by side
What the two sections offer, in plain terms.
| Mutianyu | Badaling | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting there | Bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then a local bus, or a tour, taxi or car | High-speed train from Qinghe or Beijing North to Badaling Great Wall |
| Travel time | Roughly 1.5 hours by taxi in good traffic; a bus to Huairou can take 60 to 90 minutes | 19 to 40 minutes by train, station to station |
| Cost of getting there | Taxi CNY 200 to 300 one way from central Beijing; set bus tours from CNY 140 | CNY 16 to 31 second class by train |
| Best for | Rides, towers and a guided day | A quick trip by rail |
Check the current hours and prices for Badaling before you go. Mutianyu hours are in the opening hours guide. For the city side of your trip, see the Forbidden City guide.
Great Wall day trips from Beijing
Compare Mutianyu and other Great Wall tours from Beijing, with live prices and availability.
Which section fits which trip
Match the wall to your day.
You want rides on the wall
Mutianyu has a closed-cabin cable car, an open chairlift and a toboggan for the way down. The toboggan runs downhill only. Read the guide to the rides to pick the right combination.
You prefer rail to road
Badaling is reached by high-speed train from Qinghe or Beijing North. The ride is short. Look up the current timetable before you go, because departures change.
You want a guided day
Mutianyu is offered as a group bus tour, as a private car with a guide and as a guided hike, and the cost of a tour varies with what it includes. See the tour comparison.
You want to walk
Mutianyu has a walking route from the north entrance to tower 10 and tower 14. The wild wall at Jiankou is closed to organised visits, as described in the hiking guide.
Other sections near Beijing
Juyongguan, Jinshanling and Simatai in brief.
Juyongguan
Juyongguan is a pass complex in Changping district. Evening events were held there in 2026, on selected Fridays, Saturdays and holidays from 21 August to 6 October, from 18:00 to 21:00. That season is over, so check for the next one.
Jinshanling
Jinshanling is known for its barrier walls and for bricks with inscriptions. The wall runs across staggered ridges, which suits photography.
Simatai
Simatai has been combined with a night visit at Gubei WTown. It is not the only section with evening visits, since Mutianyu and Juyongguan also ran evening programmes in 2026. There is no year-round night timetable to count on.
How to decide
Three questions.
How much time do you have?
With a short day, the train to Badaling has the shortest travel time. With a full day, Mutianyu gives you time for the cable car, the towers and the ride down.
Do you want rides?
If the chairlift and toboggan matter to you, Mutianyu is the one. Rides are sold by two operators, and their tickets are not interchangeable.
How will you travel?
Badaling is reached by train. Mutianyu needs a bus connection, a taxi, a tour or a car. The details are in how to get to Mutianyu from Beijing.
Mutianyu vs Badaling: frequently asked questions
Is Mutianyu better than Badaling?
It depends on what you want. Mutianyu has a cable car, a chairlift and a toboggan, but needs a road transfer. Badaling is reached by a high-speed train that takes 19 to 40 minutes, station to station.
How far is each from Beijing?
Mutianyu is about 70 km from central Beijing. A taxi takes roughly 1.5 hours in good traffic. Badaling is reached by train in 19 to 40 minutes between stations, plus your trip to the station.
Which is cheaper to reach?
The Badaling train costs CNY 16 to 31 in second class in 2026 timetables. For Mutianyu, a taxi costs about CNY 200 to 300 one way from central Beijing, and set bus tours start from CNY 140.
Can I do both in one day?
That is a long day with two separate transfers. Pick one section and enjoy it, or take two days.
Which section has a toboggan?
Mutianyu. The chairlift takes you up and the toboggan takes you down. It runs downhill only.
Are Jinshanling and Simatai worth a trip?
Jinshanling is known for its barrier walls and its staggered ridges. Simatai has been paired with a night visit at Gubei WTown. Check the travel time before you commit to either.