Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City Full Day
The Great Wall without the crowds, plus Beijing's imperial heart in one day
You're picked up from your Beijing hotel and driven to Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the best-preserved sections with fewer crowds than Badaling. You choose your own pace (hike, cable car, or toboggan down), then return for lunch before heading to either the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, or Dingling Tomb depending on your tour option. The guide, entrance fees, and round-trip transport are all included, and you're back at your hotel by late afternoon.
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Step-by-step itinerary
Visit Mutianyu Great Wall
- Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall
- Explore restored watchtowers
- Hike or take cable car
- Enjoy panoramic mountain views
- Experience toboggan ride option
- Return to Beijing
The experience
You want to see the Great Wall, but the thought of fighting through thousands of tourists at Badaling makes you hesitate. Mutianyu solves that. It's the section locals actually prefer, less than two hours from central Beijing, surrounded by forest and restored watchtowers that don't feel like a theme park. The tour picks you up from your hotel (Hepingxiqiao, Dengshikou, or Prime Hotel are the main points, with departures starting at 7am if you want the quietest morning light) and handles everything: the bus, the entrance ticket, lunch, and a guide who knows the wall's actual history instead of just pointing at it.
What makes this different from a standard Great Wall day trip is the pairing. You're not just hiking or taking the cable car up and back down. The full-day format lets you combine Mutianyu with either the Forbidden City (Beijing's most iconic landmark, the imperial palace complex that took centuries to build) or the Summer Palace (where emperors actually lived in summer, with gardens and lakes that feel like stepping into a scroll painting). Or if you're more interested in ritual and history, there's a Temple of Heaven option, where you'll see the exact ceremonial spaces where emperors prayed for harvests. The Dingling Tomb route works for people who want to stay focused on Ming Dynasty archaeology. It's the tomb of an actual emperor, not a museum reconstruction.
The pace is built for real people, not Instagram sprints. You're in a group (small enough that it doesn't feel like a school trip), the bus is air-conditioned, and the guide actually stops talking long enough for you to absorb what you're looking at. Lunch is included (a buffet at a local restaurant, not a tourist trap), and there's a free shuttle bus that runs through the scenic area if your legs need a break. You can hike the wall if you want, take the cable car up and toboggan down (yes, that's a real option), or just walk the restored sections and sit with the view. The whole thing runs about eight to nine hours door-to-door, which sounds long until you realize you've seen three of Beijing's most significant places without once having to figure out a ticket line or negotiate with a taxi driver.
Book through the morning departure times if you can: 7am or 7:30am gets you to Mutianyu before the midday rush, even though "rush" at Mutianyu is still quieter than most places. The afternoon slots (12pm is the latest) work if you're jet-lagged or prefer a slower start, but you'll share the wall with more day-trippers. Either way, you're not arranging transport, not hunting for a guide, not standing in an entrance queue wondering if you bought the right ticket.
What’s included
Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from central Beijing (Hepingxiqiao, Dengshikou, or Prime Hotel), round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus, entrance tickets to Mutianyu Great Wall and your chosen second site (Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, or Dingling Tomb), a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, a professional guide throughout the day, and free shuttle service within the scenic area. If you book a private tour option, the guide is dedicated to your group.
Options for this experience
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Before you book
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
Operated by Busda
Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see multiple Beijing landmarks in one organized day without arranging your own transport or buying tickets separately: the fixed schedule and included guide mean you spend your energy on the sights, not logistics.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 7): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
How far is Mutianyu from Beijing city center?
About 70 kilometers north. The drive takes roughly 90 minutes from central Beijing hotels.
What time does the tour start?
Multiple departures between 7am and 12pm, depending on the option you choose. Early slots fill faster.
Is the Great Wall hike difficult?
No. Mutianyu has well-maintained paths and restored sections suitable for all fitness levels. You can also take a cable car instead of hiking.
What's included in the price?
Round-trip air-conditioned bus, entrance ticket to all sites, lunch buffet, professional guide, and free shuttle within the scenic area.
Can I choose which second site to visit? Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven, or Dingling Tomb?
Yes. Different tour options pair Mutianyu with each of these landmarks. Choose the one that interests you when you book.
Is there a toboggan ride at Mutianyu?
Yes, it's an optional activity. You can hike down, take the cable car down, or ride the toboggan: your choice on the day.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Tours operate on fixed schedules with multiple departure times. Book ahead to secure your preferred time and pickup location.
Is lunch vegetarian or can it accommodate dietary restrictions?
The buffet includes various options. Mention any dietary needs when you book so the operator can note it.
What if I only want to see the Great Wall, not a second site?
Yes, there's a Mutianyu-only option with flexible departure times from 7am to 10am, if you prefer to focus just on the wall.
Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall & Forbidden City Full Day
8h–10h · EN
from US$ 10 per person
4.98661 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider