Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace tour from Beijing

The Great Wall here is less crowded than the sections near the city, and the view stretches for miles.

This Beijing tour combines two major sites: a walk on the Mutianyu Great Wall with a guide explaining its history and culture, followed by a tour of the Summer Palace's royal gardens. The day runs 7 to 9 hours and includes entrance tickets to both attractions, lunch, air-conditioned transport with a professional driver, and hotel pickup. A guide fluent in English, Spanish or Chinese leads the group; children from age 1 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace

• Walk on the Great Wall
• Tour guide explains history and culture
• Walk and enjoy Summer Palace garden
• Tour guide explains royal garden

The Experience

The day starts with a drive to Mutianyu, a section of the Great Wall less crowded than the restored portions closer to Beijing. You walk the wall itself with a guide who explains its history and defensive role; the view stretches across forested ridges and takes in multiple watchtowers. The guide's commentary covers the structure and the dynasties that built it, so the walk becomes more than a hike—it becomes a lesson in how the wall was engineered and why it matters.

After the wall, you move to the Summer Palace, the imperial retreat built around a massive lake in the northwest of Beijing. Here the guide leads you through the royal gardens, pointing out the pavilions, the marble boat, the covered walkways and the arrangement of trees and water that made this a place where emperors escaped the city. Lunch is included partway through the day, so you eat without breaking to find a restaurant.

A professional driver handles the transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the itinerary is timed so both sites fit inside a single afternoon. Hotel pickup means you don't arrange your own way to the starting point. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Chinese, so you choose the language that works for your group.

What’s included

• Entrance tickets to both Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace.
• lunch.
• air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver.
• hotel pickup.
• guide commentary in English, Spanish or Chinese explaining the history and culture of both sites.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by wildtourchina-Linda Wang

Is this one for you?Book this if you're combining two major wall sections in one day and prefer a private vehicle and guide over public transport, or if your group wants professional photography included.

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Top questions

What is the Mutianyu Great Wall section like compared to other parts near Beijing?

Mutianyu is less crowded than the restored sections closer to the city, and the view stretches across forested ridges with multiple watchtowers visible from the wall itself.

Does the tour include entrance tickets to both the Great Wall and the Summer Palace?

Yes, entrance tickets to both Mutianyu and the Summer Palace are included in the tour price, along with lunch and all transport.

How long does the tour take and what time does it start?

The tour runs 7 to 9 hours total. Hotel pickup is included, so your driver collects you from your accommodation at an agreed time.

Can I bring children, and what languages does the guide speak?

Children are welcome from age 1 onward. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Chinese, and you choose which language works for your group when you book.

What happens at the Summer Palace after the Great Wall?

At the Summer Palace, the guide leads you through the royal gardens, showing you the pavilions, the marble boat, the covered walkways and the arrangement of water and trees that made it an imperial retreat.