As much as I don’t like visiting crowded and touristic places by definition… well, you can’t go to China, especially if you’re staying in Beijing for a couple of days, and miss the iconic Great Wall—you simply can’t. However, there’s a right way to visit it, especially if you want to avoid the massive crowds of local tourists.
I’ve taken a day trip to the Great Wall twice: the first time in 2019 and the most recently in the summer of 2024. Both visits were special, but I realized that some sections of the Great Wall may be more exciting than others, leaving you with completely different feelings and first impressions.
In this blog post, I’ll share how to plan the best day trip to the Mutianyu section, so your visit will exceed your expectations. Plus, I’ll highlight the pros and cons of every Great Wall section, so you can decide what’s best for you.
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Great Wall Tours to Hard-to-Reach Sections
What’s the Best Great Wall section to visit?
Well… it depends on your expectations and how adventurous you want your journey to be. Because the Great Wall isn’t towering in Beijing’s city center, it’s located further away. Some sections, which are easily reachable, are also more crowded, and that can detract from your experience. On the other hand, the most adventurous sites may require private transportation to access, but the views will leave you speechless.
The Sections I’ve Visited
MUTIANYU – I visited Mutianyu back in 2019. It is said to be the most popular section among international travelers and also the best restored. It perfectly met my expectations: an adventurous hike surrounded by a sea of lush forests, not too crowded, and definitely a fun visit thanks to the slide that lets you glide down to the base. Regarding transport, we took a bus and then a taxi to reach the base of the Great Wall.
JUYONGGUAN – Juyongguan is the section I visited in the summer of 2024, and while I liked it and you can witness one of the most beautiful gates of the Great Wall there, it left me a bit disappointed. You can see the motorway when hiking the wall, which detracts from the experience, and this section is not as extensive. You can hike it all in around one hour, and it’s pretty steep. In terms of transportation, we had our private car, but there’s also a bus leaving from Beijing. As a pro, there was basically no one.
Other Sections
BADALING – Badaling is the most popular section among Chinese tourists and the one I’ve always been told to steer clear of because the crowds are crazy. As a pro, it’s likely the most hassle-free section to reach; a high-speed train from Beijing takes you there in around 30 minutes. The views are unforgettable, but you may end up playfully elbowing with a Chinese old lady to take a decent picture.
JINSHANLING – Jinshanling may be the right compromise for those looking for a challenging hike and great photography spots. This section is half restored and half wild, giving you some of the most beautiful views and that feeling of true adventurous exploration. As an adventurous expedition, it involves equally adventurous transportation: there’s no direct way to arrive there from Beijing. Getting there involves two buses (which may be canceled during off-peak season) and a taxi. An easier way to explore this section is to book a private tour and avoid all the transportation hassle.
SIMATAI – Simatai and Jinshanling are connected, and this hiking route is among the most popular. Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall where you can have a night tour, which definitely attracts me. As for Jinshanling and, in general, the wildest sections of the Great Wall, getting to Simatai with public transport is an adventure in itself, involving two buses that may be canceled randomly and taxis. In this case, booking a tour may be the best option to fully enjoy your day trip.
JIANKOU—If you’re looking for pure adventure and untouched nature, the Jiankou section is for you. However, this section is considered “not open to the public,” so the only way to visit it or even camp in some sections is by booking a travel agency or tour. Nothing is restored here, and the fact that crowds are non-existent makes it an experience to try once in a lifetime. One of the most popular hiking routes is the one from Mutianyu to Jiankou.
The Best Time to Visit the Great Wall (No Matter The Section)
No matter which section you visit, spring (from March to May) and early autumn (September and October) are definitely the best periods to hike the Great Wall. The weather will be cool enough to avoid dying under the summer heat and warm enough to prevent encountering snow, even if the Great Wall surrounded by snow would be quite a sight.
For the periods I highlighted—spring and autumn—avoid the National Holidays. During these periods, locals travel around, crowding the main sights throughout the country.
If possible, avoid the first week of October (it’s the Golden Week, when everyone is on holiday and traveling). In spring, around April 15th, there’s the Qing Ming Festival, a time for honoring ancestors. It’s a short holiday period, but locals may be moving to visit family graves. Finally, Labor Day on May 1st is usually a one-day holiday, but it may be combined with the weekend for a longer travel period.
Plan Your DIY Trip to Mutianyu
While there are more adventurous sections of the Great Wall, I believe Mutianyu is still the best section to visit if you plan a DIY day trip. It offers maximum flexibility, great scenery, and plenty of time to hike one of the longest and best-restored sections.
Getting to Mutianyu from Beijing
Unfortunately (or fortunately, because this keeps the tourist crowds away), there’s no train from Beijing to Mutianyu. The only way to get to Mutianyu from Beijing is by bus or private car.
Bus: Head to Dongzhimen Bus Station in Beijing and take bus number 916. Get off at the Huairou Beidajie stop. Once there, you have two options. You can take bus H23 (which runs every 30 minutes) and ride directly to the Mutianyu Great Wall ticket office, or you can take a taxi (which is what I did). You’ll likely find taxi drivers at the bus stop. Be prepared: the language barrier can be tricky, and drivers might try to increase the price for this short trip.
When I went, I ended up bargaining the price of a taxi with a driver, and we shared it with two other travelers who didn’t speak Chinese. They luckily found my friend and me there. Look around you – you may spot some foreigners who speak Chinese and can share a taxi with you.
Private Car: If you want to avoid the bus hassle, you can consider booking a private English-speaking driver who can pick you up from your Beijing hotel and drop you off. This option is great because it offers maximum flexibility in exploring the Great Wall at your own pace, with the comfort of a private car for you or your group.
Mutianyu Entrance Fee & Details
When I visited the Great Wall in Mutianyu, I didn’t need to purchase tickets in advance. Today, however, booking in advance is definitely recommended (and likely mandatory). If you check the Mutianyu official website, you’ll find several ticket options.
The basic entry ticket costs ¥45 (around $6) and covers just the entrance.
To reach the Wall, which sits higher up on the hill compared to the ticket office, you have three options:
- Cable Car: A round-trip ticket costs around ¥140
- Shuttle Bus: A round-trip ticket is ¥15
- Hiking: The free option (which I chose!)
For the cable car and the shuttle bus, you can decide to purchase the one-way ticket only and descend with the toboggan (which is a separate ticket that you can pay for directly on the Wall)
The hike involves climbing high stone steps and takes about 30 minutes. It’s challenging if you’re not in good physical shape or used to steep terrain. But trust me, the views and the sense of accomplishment when you finally arrive on top (a bit sweaty) are totally worth the effort!
Opening Hours & Best Time To Visit
The Great Wall has different opening hours depending on the season. During peak season (March 16 to November 15), the site is open from 7:30 am to 6 pm on weekdays, and until 6:30 pm on weekends. In the off-peak season (November 16 to March 15), hours are slightly shorter: 8 am to 5:30 pm.
If I were you and planning a second visit to Mutianyu, I’d definitely book a private driver and head out super early in the morning to catch the Wall under that beautiful morning light (on a clear day, of course) without anyone around me.
Hiking The Wall: What to Expect
Once I finished my hike and finally stood on the Great Wall, all I could think was, “Wow, I’m finally here.” This is precisely why I preferred Mutianyu to Juyongguan. The challenging hike builds anticipation, and your expectations are completely met when you arrive. You can almost imagine the wall as it was centuries ago – hardly anything seems to have changed (except for the restoration).
There are no roads, no cities – just endless forests and towering mountains in the background. That’s what I loved most. Plus, Mutianyu is the longest section of the Wall, so you could potentially walk for hours if you wanted to (just remember, you’ll need to turn back at some point – lol!).
When I visited in June, the section was weirdly empty. The Wall is so long that finding a quiet spot for photos or nature contemplation is very easy. Once there, you can walk, take pictures, admire the landscape, and soak in the evocative atmosphere.
If you’re looking for the least steep section of Mutianyu, head over to Watchtower N. 14 to N. 20. This is called the “Golden Stretch“, and you can enjoy the scenery without the challenging hike. On the contrary, the East route passing by Watchtowers N. 6, 4, and 1 is the most challenging.
When you’re ready to descend, consider taking the toboggan instead of climbing down the steep steps. Head to Watchtower N. 6, where you’ll find the toboggan slide. A one-way ticket costs ¥100.
Don’t expect a high-speed adventure! You might find yourself behind a cautious Chinese lady or a young kid and have no way to pass them.
What to Pack For A Day Trip to The Great Wall
When hiking the Mutianyu section, I dressed as if I were going to a workout class: comfortable clothes but above all, comfortable hiking shoes.
What to Pack:
- Sturdy hiking shoes
- Rain/wind-proof jacket
- Refillable water bottle (drinks can be expensive, if compared to what you would pay in the city)
- Photography gear
- Snacks (vendor prices on the wall are crazy expensive, too!). I think I ended up paying ¥80 for an ice-cream, almost double the entrance ticket price!
- Paper towels (toilet paper is rare in public toilets in China)
- Hand sanitizer
- High SPF sunscreen (the sun is aggressive in the Summer)
- Wide-brimmed hat
- Light layers (temperatures can change quickly)
- Portable charger
- Cash (some vendors might not accept mobile payments)
- Small backpack or daypack
There you go! Planning a day trip to the Great Wall from Beijing can be extremely easy if you know where to look. I hope this blog post was helpful and that you’ll be able to visit one of the most iconic sights in China.
Remember: if you’re traveling to China, the shoulder season is always the best period, and try to be on the road early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
So, when are you traveling to China? Tell me about your plans in the comments! And if you’re looking for other popular and less popular sights and places to visit, don’t miss the blog posts below!
- Top Tourist Attractions of China You Can’t Miss If You’re Traveling There in 2025
- 36 Best Places to Visit in China That You Probably Don’t Know Yet
- Spring in China: 17 Enchanting Places You Simply Have to See in 2025
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