Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing: Cable car & shuttle included

85 km northeast of Beijing, the Ming Dynasty wall without the ticket line

A pre-booked combo ticket to Mutianyu Great Wall includes entry, a round-trip cable car to reach the wall, and an internal shuttle bus to the base. Book online and scan your passport at the gate instead of carrying cash or waiting in queues. Private transfer from your Beijing hotel is available as an add-on, or book the ticket alone and arrange your own transport. The section sits 1.5 hours from the city and was built on remnants of a wall from the Northern Qi Dynasty, later restored during the Ming era as a northern defense for the capital.

The experience

Mutianyu lies 85 km northeast of Beijing, far enough from the city center that most visitors either drive or book transport in advance. The pre-booked ticket cuts through the usual friction: you show your passport at the entrance, scan it, and walk straight in without hunting for a ticket window or standing in line. The cable car is included both ways, which means you ride up to the wall itself instead of hiking the steep approach on foot: a practical choice that opens the visit to a wider range of fitness levels and leaves more time to actually walk the restored sections.

Once inside the scenic area, a shuttle bus takes you from the entrance down to the base of the wall, where the cable car begins. The ride up offers views of the surrounding mountains, and from the top you can walk the wall at whatever pace suits you: some visitors stay an hour, others several. The wall here is less crowded than the sections closer to Beijing, and the Ming Dynasty restoration work is visible in the brick and stone. Your passport serves as your ticket for the whole day you book, so there's no separate pass to keep track of.

If you add a private transfer, your driver picks you up in your hotel lobby and handles the 1.5-hour drive both ways. You can choose from a 7-seat Buick GL8 for small groups, a 9-seat Benz, a 14-17 seat coach, or a 20-22 seat coach depending on your party size. The operator confirms your pickup time in advance, so you know when the driver will arrive. Without the transfer, you book the ticket alone and arrange your own way to Mutianyu (by taxi, rental car, or public transport), which gives you flexibility on timing and lets you skip the cost of a private vehicle if you prefer.

What’s included

• Combo ticket includes entrance to the scenic area, a round-trip cable car to the wall, and an internal shuttle bus from the entrance to the base.
• private transfer options include round-trip pickup from your Beijing hotel in a vehicle sized for your group, with the operator confirming your pickup time in advance.

Options for this experience

5 options

Transfer by 20-22 seat coachUp to 15 per booking · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00Round-trip private transfer between your hotel and Mutianyu, without tickets. The driver will collect you from your hotel. Pickup is included.

Transfer by 14-17 seat coachUp to 10 per booking · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00Round-trip private transfer between your hotel and Mutianyu, without tickets. The driver will collect you from your hotel. Pickup is included.

Transfer by 7-seat vanUp to 6 per booking · 15 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00Round-trip private transfer between your hotel and Mutianyu by business van, without tickets. The driver collects you from your hotel and covers hotels near Capital Airport. Pickup is included.

See 2 more options

Combo Ticket21 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 17:00Entry and round-trip cable car tickets, with the internal shuttle included. Your passport serves as your ticket. There is no pickup and no transfer; please make your own way to Mutianyu. Pickup is included.

Transfer & TicketUp to 9 per booking · 13 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 13:00Combo ticket and private transfer between your hotel and Mutianyu by business van (1-6 pax) or coach (7-9 pax), both included. The driver will collect you from your hotel. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 17:00

AgesAdult (3 to 85 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Wikibeijing

Is this one for you?Book the combo ticket alone if you have your own transport or prefer to arrange a taxi. You'll skip the lines and have the cable car included without paying for a private driver. Add a private transfer if your group is large enough to fill a van or coach, or if coordinating pickup timing from a hotel lobby matters more than the cost of transport.

Top questions

How far is Mutianyu from Beijing, and how long does the drive take?

Mutianyu sits 85 km northeast of Beijing, about 1.5 hours by car from the city center. If you add a private transfer, your driver covers the round trip. Without it, you'll need to arrange your own transport or use a taxi.

What does the cable car do, and is it included in the ticket?

The cable car is a round-trip gondola lift that takes you from the base of the wall up to the restored Ming Dynasty sections. It's included in the combo ticket, so you don't pay separately, and it's different from a chairlift or toboggan ride. You choose the cable car when you book.

Do I need to bring my passport, or can I use another ID?

Your passport is your ticket for the day and you'll scan it at the entrance. If you don't have it with you, you can show a valid ID photo with the name and number you entered during booking, and the staff will enter the information manually.

What's included in the private transfer option?

The private transfer includes round-trip pickup from your Beijing hotel lobby and drop-off there after your visit, plus the driver's knowledge of the route. You choose the vehicle size based on your group (from a 7-seat van up to a 20-22 seat coach), and the operator confirms your pickup time before the day of your tour.

Can I book just the ticket without the transfer?

Yes. The combo ticket option includes entry, the shuttle bus, and the round-trip cable car, but not transport from Beijing. You arrange your own way to Mutianyu and back, which works if you have a rental car, prefer to take a taxi, or want to use public transport.

What happens if I have trouble with the shuttle bus or cable car on the day?

If you encounter any problem accessing the shuttle, cable car, or entrance, show the staff a valid ID photo with the name and number you provided at booking, and they'll help you manually. Your passport is your ticket for the entire day you've booked.