Beijing: Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall Hike with Local Guide

Summary

Hiking wild Jiankou to Mutianyu’s ancient walls near Beijing

You’ll hike from untamed Jiankou to restored Mutianyu Great Wall with a local guide who knows every twist in the path. Expect muddy climbs, ancient towers, and real silence between bursts of laughter or effort. Includes hotel pickup in Beijing and entry fees — you’ll feel both history and your legs by the end.

What’s the experience like?

“This part hasn’t changed in hundreds of years,” our guide Li said, tapping the rough stone with his knuckles. I remember the sound — kind of hollow, but solid too. We’d just scrambled up a muddy path behind Badaohe village, and honestly, I was already out of breath. The air smelled like wet leaves and old earth. Li grinned at us — he seemed to float up the slope while I kept stopping to catch my breath and pretend I was taking photos.

The Jiankou section is wild — like really wild. No crowds, just tangled grass and these crumbling watchtowers that look like they could tumble down at any moment (they don’t). There was this one spot where we had to climb a wooden ladder up Zhengbei Tower. My hands shook a little on the rungs. At the top, wind whipped my hair around and all you could hear was it rushing through broken stones. I tried saying “Jiankou” in Mandarin; Li laughed so hard he nearly dropped his water bottle.

After maybe three hours of hiking along the ridge (my legs were jelly), we reached Mutianyu. Suddenly everything looked different — neat stonework, handrails, even a few snack stalls below. It felt like stepping from some forgotten world into a postcard version of China. We walked from tower 23 down to 10, passing families and selfie sticks. I still think about that first glimpse back at the wild wall behind us — all grey and tangled against green hills — while munching on something salty from a vendor’s cart. The drive back to Beijing was quiet; everyone half asleep or scrolling through their photos.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall hike

• Pick up from hotel early morning
• Drive 2.5 hours to Jiankou foot
• Walk through village to mountain path
• Hike up to Zhengbei Watch Tower
• Climb ladder at Zhengbei Watch Tower
• Ascend highest Jiankou watch tower
• Hike down to Mutianyu Great Wall
• Hike reconstructed wall from 23rd to 10th tower
• Lunch break at local restaurant
• Transfer back to Beijing hotel

Top questions

How long does the Jiankou to Mutianyu Great Wall hike take?

The hike takes about 5 hours to cover roughly 10 km (6 miles).

Is hotel pickup included for this Great Wall hiking tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included within Beijing’s 4th Ring Zone.

What sections of the Great Wall are covered on this day trip?

The tour covers both Jiankou (wild section) and Mutianyu (restored section).

Is lunch included in the price of this hiking tour?

No, lunch is not included; there’s a break at a local restaurant where you can buy lunch.

How difficult is the Jiankou to Mutianyu hike?

This route is challenging and requires good physical fitness; it’s not recommended for young children or those with health issues.

Are entry fees for both sections of the Great Wall included?

Yes, admission fees for both Jiankou and Mutianyu are included in your tour.

Will there be an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, your group will have a professional English-speaking guide throughout the hike.

What happens if Jiankou section is closed unexpectedly?

If Jiankou is closed due to government control, the tour may switch to Jinshanling section after asking group members for permission.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off within central Beijing, bottled water for the hike, entry tickets for both Jiankou and Mutianyu sections of the Great Wall, an air-conditioned vehicle for transfers, plus a knowledgeable English-speaking local guide who keeps things lively along the way.