Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour: Cable car up, toboggan down

Why hike when you can ride up and slide down?

You’ll step straight from Beijing airport into a private car bound for Mutianyu Great Wall: no time wasted in terminals. With a local guide by your side and a VIP pass in hand, you’ll ride up by cable car (or hike if you’re bold), wander quiet stretches of ancient stones, then share lunch overlooking forested hills before heading back for your next flight.

Step-by-step itinerary

Airport pickup and Great Wall visit

• Pickup at airport exit Starbucks
• Meet staff with name card
• Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall
• Hike or take cable car up
• Descend by cable car or toboggan
• Enjoy meal with Great Wall view
• Transfer back to airport

The experience

We were barely out of the arrivals gate at Beijing Capital Airport before spotting a sign with my name on it, which always feels a bit surreal, like I’m in some spy movie. Our driver grinned, asked if we wanted coffee first (I did), and then we were winding out of the city towards the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. The roads got quieter, more trees crowding in, and I kept craning my neck trying to spot any hint of the wall through the misty hills. Didn’t see it until we were almost there: suddenly those stone curves just appeared above us, and I got this weird shiver. Maybe it was the cold air or maybe just… you know, realizing where I was.

Li, our guide, handed us our VIP passes and joked that this part of the wall is “where Beijingers come to escape tourists.” Not sure if that’s true, but it was definitely calmer than I expected. We could’ve hiked up but took the cable car instead (legs still jet-lagged). The air smelled sharp (pine needles?), and there was this odd silence except for wind scraping over old stones. Up top, Li pointed out which towers were original Ming dynasty work and which bits had been rebuilt. He laughed when I tried saying “Mutianyu” properly. Apparently my Mandarin is hopeless.

After wobbling down in a toboggan (yes, really, you can slide down!), we sat in a tiny restaurant nearby for lunch. The food was simple but good: stir-fried greens, dumplings that stuck together a bit, hot tea that steamed up my glasses. I remember watching clouds drift over the wall while chewing a bite of something spicy. Felt oddly peaceful after all that airport chaos earlier. Then back in the car for the drive to catch our flight: tired but kind of buzzing inside.

What’s included

• Your day includes private airport or hotel pickup with direct transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall by comfortable vehicle.
• all tolls, parking fees, entry tickets.
• VIP pass access.
• round-trip cable car or chairlift/toboggan rides.
• plus a local meal at a nearby restaurant before returning right back to your terminal or hotel: no stress about timing or logistics along the way.

Options for this experience

3 options

Driver, car and ticketsGuide in Chinese · 11 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 12:30Self-guided tour without lunch: Pickup and drop-off from your downtown hotel or PEK airport. Includes tickets and round-trip cable car or toboggan tickets, but no lunch. Pickup is included.

Private all-inclusive tourGuide in English, Chinese or Chinese · 11 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 12:30Guide, driver and lunch: Pickup and drop-off at your downtown hotel or PEK airport. Entrance ticket, lunch, cable car or toboggan, with a guide, and lunch is included. Pickup is included.

Group meeting at the Regent HotelGuide in English, Chinese or Chinese · 07:00Group tour without lunch: Includes Great Wall ticket, round-trip cable car or chairlift up and toboggan down ticket, guide and driver. Note: The toboggan is not available for those over 60. Regarding the cable way, there are two independent companies, and you can choose one or the other. Starting point: Regent Beijing, 99 Jin Bao Jie, Dong Cheng Qu, Bei Jing Shi, China, 100005

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:30

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Lily's Tour Company

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Chinese and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 13 years); Infant (under 4): free.

How long does it take to get from Beijing airport to Mutianyu Great Wall?

It usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way by private car from Beijing Capital Airport to Mutianyu Great Wall.

Is pickup included at both Beijing airports?

Yes, pickup is available at both Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing International Airport.

Can I take this tour during an airport layover?

Yes, this tour is designed specifically for visa-free layovers if you have at least 4 hours between flights.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Yes, lunch or dinner at a local restaurant near Mutianyu Great Wall is included in your day trip.

Are entrance tickets and cable car rides included?

Your ticket includes entrance fees plus cable car up and down or chairlift/toboggan options.

Do I need to be physically fit for this tour?

A moderate level of fitness is recommended. You can choose cable car or chairlift if you prefer less walking.