Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Day Tour Options

Summary

Walk ancient stones at Mutianyu then drift through royal gardens at Summer Palace

You’ll start your day with hotel pickup in Beijing before riding up to Mutianyu Great Wall for quieter walks and hillside views. Take your time exploring watchtowers or try the cable car (or even a toboggan!). After lunch with local flavors, wander through painted corridors and lakeside paths at the Summer Palace—with stories from your guide bringing each spot alive.

What’s the experience like?

I was already running five minutes late—classic me—when our guide Li texted a gentle “no rush, but we’re waiting in the lobby.” I hurried down, half-worried I’d missed the group. Turns out everyone else was just as bleary-eyed (jet lag is real), so we all laughed about it. The van was spotless and cool, which honestly felt like a small miracle after Beijing’s morning humidity. Li started chatting right away about what makes the Mutianyu Great Wall different from the crowded spots—less noise, more birdsong. He wasn’t kidding; when we stepped off the cable car up there, it was almost quiet enough to hear your own shoes scuffing the stone.

The air up on Mutianyu actually smelled faintly sweet—Li said it’s from chestnut trees. We wandered along the wall’s uneven steps, pausing to peer through arrow slits or just stare out at those tangled green hills. I tried to imagine soldiers posted here centuries ago, probably freezing or sweating just like us. There were only a few other travelers around; one older couple asked me to take their photo and ended up sharing their sunflower seeds with us. The hike was tougher than I expected (those stairs are no joke), but you can take your time or even ride a toboggan down if you want—which two people from our group did, screaming all the way. Lunch after felt earned: simple stir-fried veggies and dumplings that tasted so much better than anything airport-adjacent.

Later in the day, we made our way to the Summer Palace. The light had shifted by then—softer somehow—and everything seemed slower near Kunming Lake. Li led us through painted corridors where every beam had its own tiny story (I definitely butchered some Mandarin names trying to repeat them). We peeked into halls where Empress Dowager Cixi once lived surrounded by silk and silverware—Li described her breakfast routine with such detail I could almost smell jasmine tea and steamed buns. At one point I just sat on a bench watching locals play cards under willow trees; it felt oddly peaceful for such a grand place.

I still think about that view from the Marble Boat—sky reflected in water, boats drifting quietly past—and how tired but content I felt heading back into the city traffic with everyone dozing off around me. Sometimes you don’t realize how much history you’ve absorbed until later, when little details come back to you while waiting for coffee or catching a whiff of chestnut somewhere unexpected.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace

• Meet guide in hotel lobby
• Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall
• Ascend Wall by cable car or ski lift
• Hike along Great Wall sections
• Descend by toboggan, ski lift, or cable car
• Enjoy lunch after Great Wall visit
• Travel to Summer Palace
• Enter Summer Palace East Gate
• Visit Hall of Benevolence and Longevity
• Explore Hall of Happiness and Longevity
• Walk along the Long Corridor
• See the Marble Boat
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Beijing Great Wall & Summer Palace tour?

Yes, round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off are included in both group and private options.

How is Mutianyu different from Badaling Great Wall?

Mutianyu is less crowded and surrounded by more forested hillsides compared to Badaling.

Can I choose between group or private tours?

Yes, you can book either a small group tour (max 8 people) or a private tour for full flexibility.

Is lunch provided during this day trip?

Yes, lunch is included after visiting Mutianyu Great Wall before heading to Summer Palace.

Are entrance tickets covered in this tour?

All entry fees for both Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace are included in your booking.

Do I need to walk a lot on this tour?

You’ll walk sections of both sites but can adjust pace; cable car/toboggan options help reduce walking at Mutianyu.

What time does the small group tour leave?

The small group tour usually leaves at 7:30 am but exact pickup time depends on your hotel location.

Is this Beijing day trip suitable for kids or seniors?

The tour suits most fitness levels; infants can join with prams/strollers and there are flexible pacing options.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Beijing, all entrance tickets for Mutianyu Great Wall (with round-trip cable car or ski lift up and optional toboggan ticket), bottled water throughout, an English-speaking guide who shares stories along the way, plus lunch featuring local dishes before returning comfortably in the afternoon.