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Location Map: Where is Mutianyu Great Wall & How to Get There
Where is Mutianyu Great Wall?
Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Huairou District, about 70 kilometers northeast of downtown Beijing.
It sits at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains, surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills—easy to reach from the city but far enough to escape the crowds.
How to Get to Mutianyu Great Wall (4 Easy Ways)
We've listed the most convenient options for travelers, from independent trips to hassle-free transfers—perfect for seniors, families, and solo visitors.
- By Didi / Taxi (Most Flexible)
Travel Time: ~1.5 hours (depending on traffic, fastest in the morning before 8 AM)
Tip: Ask your driver to drop you at the Visitor Center Parking Lot—you will need to take the scenic area shuttle bus to the entrance (no walking required).
- By Tour Bus (Hassle-Free)
Many travel agencies and hotels in Beijing offer one-day tours to Mutianyu, including round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, and sometimes cable car tickets.
Advantage: No need to worry about navigation or transfers; a guide will help you navigate the site (great for first-time visitors).
2 Days
1 Place- By Public Bus (Budget-Friendly)
Step 1: Take Bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen Bus Station (downtown Beijing) to Huairou North Station (about 1 hour).
Step 2: Transfer to Bus H23 or H24 to Mutianyu Great Wall Station (about 30 minutes).
Tip: Public buses run less frequently (every 30–60 minutes), so plan your time carefully—best for flexible travelers and those who live in Beijing.
- By Shuttle Bus (From Beijing Tourist Hubs)
Some tourist hubs in Beijing (e.g., Wangfujing, Qianmen) offer direct shuttle buses to Mutianyu during peak travel seasons (spring and autumn).
Check the schedule in advance online or at the tourist information center.
Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Map: Layout with Highlights
This map shows the full layout of Mutianyu Great Wall and marks its most important watchtowers, transport facilities, and scenic highlights.
The wall runs from Tower 1 in the east to Tower 20 in the west, with gentle slopes and wide paths that make it one of the most walkable and visitor-friendly sections of the Great Wall.
- East Section (Tower 1–6): Features unique architectural structures, including the impressive Zhengguan Tower at Tower 4. It is quieter and less crowded.
- Middle Section (Tower 6–14): The most comfortable walking area with gradual slopes. This section connects the chairlift/slide area to the cable car station.
- West Section (Tower 14–20): The highest and most scenic part of Mutianyu, with sweeping panoramic views. Tower 20 is the highest point and offers the best overall vistas.
The map also clearly labels all access facilities:
- Cable Car: Connects the North Entrance to Tower 14
- Chairlift: Connects the South Entrance to Tower 6
- Toboggan (Slide): Runs downhill from Tower 6 to the South Entrance
- Shuttle bus stops
With clear markers for the best photo spots and viewing platforms, this map will help you plan your route easily and enjoy the most beautiful parts of Mutianyu without missing any highlights.
Mutianyu Great Wall Travel Map: How to Go Up and Down
This map shows three color-coded routes to get up and down Mutianyu Great Wall, designed for different energy levels and travel preferences. Each route is safe, clear, and optimized for comfort and scenery.
Route 1 (Blue): Cable Car Round Trip (Recommended for Seniors / International Visitors)
Most Recommended for Seniors & International Visitors
Route: North Ticket Gate → Cable Car → Tower 14 → Walk west to Tower 15 → 18 → 20 (highest point, go at your own pace) → Return to Tower 14 → Cable Car down
Total Time: 2.5–3 hours (walking: ~1 hour; cable car: 5 mins one way)
Cost: Cable car round-trip ¥140 (one-way ¥100) + Great Wall entry ¥40 + shuttle bus ¥15
Advantages: Minimal climbing, mostly flat paths, many rest stops, best panoramic views.
Route 2 (Red): Chairlift Up + Toboggan Down (Young Travelers / Good Fitness)
Route: South Ticket Gate → Chairlift → Tower 6 → Walk east to Tower 5 → 4 (Zhengguan Tower) → 1 (Dajiao Tower) → Return to Tower 6 → Toboggan down
Total Time: 2–2.5 hours (walking: ~45 mins; chairlift/slide: 5–8 mins one way)
Cost: Chairlift + Toboggan combo ¥140 (one-way ¥100 each) + Great Wall entry ¥40 + shuttle bus ¥15
Advantages: Unique eastern architecture, fun 1,580m toboggan ride.
Route 3 (Orange): Cable Car Up + Toboggan Down (No Backtracking, Covers Both Sections)
Route: North Ticket Gate → Cable Car → Tower 14 → Walk gently downhill east to Tower 10 → 8 → 6 → Toboggan down
Total Time: 2.5–3 hours (walking: ~50 mins; mostly downhill)
Cost: Cable car one-way ¥100 + Toboggan one-way ¥100 (total ¥200) + Great Wall entry ¥40 + shuttle bus ¥15
Advantages: Downhill walking saves energy; experience two transport types, no backtracking.
Quick Reference Table
| Route | Color | Time | Cost (CNY) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cable Car Round-Trip | Blue | 2.5–3h | 195 | Seniors, families, easy views |
| Chairlift + Toboggan | Red | 2–2.5h | 195 | Young, active, fun seekers |
| Cable Car + Toboggan | Orange | 2.5–3h | 255 | No backtrack, dual experience |
- Shuttle bus (¥15) is required from parking lot to ticket gates.
- Toboggan has age/height limits (not recommended for seniors over 60).
- Great Wall entry: ¥40 adult, ¥25 for seniors/students.
Mutianyu Great Wall Hike Map: Only on Foot is Possiable
Three marked hiking routes are available on foot only, using the South Trail and North Trail to access the wall. All routes are color-coded by difficulty and length.
| Route | Access & Trail | Path Description | Distance | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Trail | South Gate → South Trail to Tower 6 | 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 (Dajiao Tower) round trip | ~2 km round trip | 2 hours | ★☆☆ Easy |
| Middle Trail | South Gate → South Trail to Tower 6 | 6 → 8 → 10 → 14 → return to 10 → North Trail down | ~3 km round trip | 2.5 hours | ★★☆ Moderate |
| West Trail | North Gate → North Trail to Tower 10 | 10 → 14 → 16 → 18 → 20 (highest point) round trip | ~4.5 km round trip | 3-5 hours | ★★★☆ Challenging |
Mutianyu Great Wall Vs. Othr Sections of the Great Wall
| Section | Distance from Beijing | Transport Time (One-way) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutianyu | ~75 km | 1.5–2 hrs (bus/car) | 90% forest cover, cable car + toboggan, less crowded, wide gentle paths, Tower 14–20 (peak view) |
| Badaling | ~70 km | 1–1.5 hrs (bus/S2/high-speed rail) | Most famous, fully restored, best facilities, closest to city, most crowded, Accessible by bullet train |
| Jinshanling | ~130 km | 2.5–3 hrs (car/tour bus) | Original Ming structure, dense watchtowers, sunrise/sunset, few tourists, photo paradise |
| Simatai | ~120 km | 2.5–3 hrs (car) | Only original Ming wall open for night tours, steep & narrow, connected to Gubei Water Town |
| Jiankou | ~80 km | 2 hrs (car) | Wild & unrenovated, dramatic ridges, no facilities |
| Juyongguan | ~50 km | 1 hr (bus/car) | Circular wall, Yun Tai (ancient stone carvings), military fortress feel |
| Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Wall | ~70 km | 1.5–2 hrs (car/bus) | Unique "Great Wall entering water" landscape, lake views, boat rides, quiet & scenic |
- Want easy, quiet, fun with cable car/toboggan → Mutianyu
- Want most famous, fastest access, full facilities → Badaling
- Want original wall, great photos, no crowds → Jinshanling
- Want night tour + water town → Simatai
- Want wild adventure & dramatic views → Jiankou (only for pros)
- Want historic pass + circular hike → Juyongguan
- Want wall + lake + boat → Huanghuacheng
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