Village or Beijing: the choice
Mutianyu is a village in Bohai town, Huairou district, about 70 km from central Beijing. Most visitors stay in the city and come for the day. A smaller group sleeps near the wall, in the village or in nearby Beigou, to cut the morning road trip.
A bed near the wall shortens the drive to the gate. It does not open the wall earlier, and it does not guarantee a quieter visit. The gates follow the normal opening hours.
Places to stay in the Mutianyu area
No prices are given here, because rates change by date. Check availability for your dates.
Mutianyu Great Wall Hotel
A hotel at the wall section itself. It has its own hotel page. Check room types and availability for your dates before you plan around it.
Brickyard Retreat
The Brickyard Retreat is in Beigou Village, below and near Mutianyu, in a converted glazed-brick factory. It has 25 rooms and suites and 11 holiday houses in the surrounding area, with 2 to 5 bedrooms each. Do not treat it as a hotel on the wall or in Mutianyu village itself. The lodge restaurant serves Chinese and international food from 7:00 to 21:30, and breakfast is included for guests in the retreat rooms. That does not carry over automatically to the holiday houses.
The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu
The Brickyard Retreat is part of the company family behind The Schoolhouse at Mutianyu. The names appear side by side, so look at the current booking page to see which property you are actually booking.
Mutianyu tours from Beijing
Day trips with transport, entry or a guide, if you prefer to stay in the city.
Staying near the wall or in Beijing
How the two options compare for a Mutianyu trip.
| Near the wall | In Beijing | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the gate | Short drive | About 70 km, plus the last stretch from Huairou |
| Morning start | Later alarm, ready for opening at 7:30 | Early bus or taxi; day tours leave from the city |
| Getting there | Ask the property about transfers | 916 Express to Huairou, then bus H23, H3 or H71; or taxi |
| Food | Lodge restaurants and village places | Full city choice |
| Other sights | Mostly the wall and the area | City sights and other day trips |
For the bus route and taxi times see the page on getting to Mutianyu from Beijing. If you sleep in the city, pick an area by what else you plan to see: the sister guide to the Forbidden City covers where to stay in Beijing.
Eating near the wall
Yisonglou is a restaurant inside the Mutianyu area. Dishes there include rainbow trout and braised pork face. In the wider region, Beigala Shuanrou serves hotpot and Jingbei Yujia'ao grilled trout.
Opening hours and menu prices change, so ask on the day. The lodge restaurant at the Brickyard Retreat is open from 7:00 to 21:30.
Registration and booking
What happens when you check in.
Hotels register you
In a hotel, the staff register your stay with the police at check-in. Bring your passport. It is a separate step from the real-name booking for the wall ticket.
Private lodging
If you stay in a private home or rental, you or the host must register within 24 hours with the local police. Ask the host how they handle it.
Plan the wall visit
Entry needs a real-name booking. Prices and passport rules are on the tickets page, and tips on payment and visas are in the travel tips.
Before you book near the wall
Four questions to ask the property.
Where exactly is it?
Ask for the village name and the distance to the gate. Beigou and Mutianyu are different places, and a short map distance can still mean a winding road.
Is there a transfer?
Ask whether the property offers a lift to the ticket office or the shuttle, and whether it can arrange a car back to Beijing at the end of your stay.
What is included?
Ask about breakfast, dinner and any extras for your room type. Rules can differ between rooms and holiday houses.
What about busy weeks?
Public holiday weeks bring more visitors to the area. In 2026 these were 1 to 5 May and 1 to 7 October, so book earlier if your trip falls in such a week.
Where to stay near Mutianyu: frequently asked questions
Should I stay near Mutianyu or in Beijing?
Stay in Beijing if you want the city and are happy with a day trip of about 70 km each way. Stay near the wall if you want a shorter morning journey. Neither option changes the opening hours.
Is there a hotel on the wall itself?
The Mutianyu Great Wall Hotel is at the wall section. Check its current availability and room types before you plan around it.
Where is the Brickyard Retreat?
In Beigou Village, near and below Mutianyu. Do not assume it is in Mutianyu village or directly on the wall.
Does a night near the wall get me onto the wall for sunrise?
No. The gates open at the normal time, 7:30 in the main season. Do not try to enter before opening.
Do I need to register when I stay?
A hotel does it at check-in. In private lodging, register within 24 hours with the local police, yourself or through the host.