Mutianyu Great Wall: Fast-Track Ticket & Cable Car

The cable car climbs through forest to a quieter stretch of the Great Wall

You book your Mutianyu Great Wall ticket online, skip the entrance queue with a QR code scan, and ride the cable car up through forest to one of the wall's less crowded sections. Choose between a round-trip cable car or chairlift with a toboggan descent. The whole visit is self-paced once you're on top, and shuttle buses handle the walk from gate to wall.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Mutianyu Great Wall

• Scan QR code for entry
• Explore Mutianyu Great Wall
• Enjoy nature and history

The experience

The shuttle fills up fast in the morning, and you're already scanning your QR code while others wait in the ticket queue below. That's the whole point of booking Mutianyu Great Wall tickets in advance. You skip the line, walk straight through the gate, and catch the cable car up the mountainside before the crowds arrive. The section itself sits north of Beijing, surrounded by thick forest that turns gold in autumn and stays green most of the year, which is why it feels less overrun than the restored sections closer to the city.

You've got two ways up: the cable car takes about 15 minutes and swings you over the treetops, or you can choose the chairlift paired with a toboggan ride down on the way back. The chairlift runs from mid-March through mid-November, 8am to 5pm. The cable car operates year-round, starting at 7:30am in summer and 8am in winter. Once you're up there, the wall stretches in both directions, and you can walk as far as your legs want to take you: some people spend two hours, others do the main section and head back. The forest keeps things cooler than you'd expect, even on hot days.

The QR code they send you is the only ticket that works. Reference numbers and barcodes won't get you in, so keep that code safe. Tickets release 10 days ahead, and you'll get your confirmation once they're issued. Inside shuttles run between the entrance and the starting point of the wall itself, so you're not hiking up from the parking lot. If you're 60 or older, stick with the cable car option: the toboggan isn't available for that age group.

What’s included

• Your ticket includes admission to Mutianyu Great Wall, round-trip cable car ride (or chairlift and toboggan if you select that option), and shuttle service between the entrance and the starting point of the wall. The QR code is your entry pass.
• no physical ticket is issued.

Options for this experience

5 options

Admission Ticket07:30 and 12:00Ticket only, no guide: enter with a QR code we send you. No cable car or toboggan included; please purchase these on the spot.

Admission with round-trip cable car07:30 and 12:00Ticket only, no guide: entry with a QR code we send you. Cable car operating hours: March 16 to November 15, 07:30 to 17:30; November 16 to March 15, 08:00 to 17:00

Admission + Chairlift + Toboggan07:30 and 12:00Ticket only, no guide: entry with a QR code we send you. Chairlift and toboggan operating hours: March 16 to November 15, 08:00 to 17:00; November 16 to March 15, 08:30 to 16:30

See 2 more options

Mini group tour of Beijing lasting one day07:00Mini group: pickup and drop-off at your hotel. Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City/Palace Museum, buffet lunch, and the Mutianyu Great Wall. Duration: 10 hours. Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees, round-trip cable car or chairlift up and toboggan down, English-speaking guide, driver.

Beijing mini group tour over two days07:00Mini group: Day 1: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, buffet lunch, Mutianyu Great Wall. Day 2: Temple of Heaven, Hutong, Lama Temple, Summer Palace. Duration: 2 days. Includes: hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees, round-trip cable car or chairlift up and toboggan down, English-speaking guide, driver.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30 and 12:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (19 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Child (6 to 18 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel China Guide

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to skip the entrance queue and reach the wall without arranging your own transport from the gate: the pre-booked QR code and included shuttles handle both, leaving you free to walk and explore at your own pace once you're on top.

Traveler reviews

4.83★★★★★★★★★★

12 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 18 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

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 in advance do I need to book?

Tickets are released 10 days ahead. Book as soon as they open for your date to secure your preferred time.

What's the difference between the cable car and chairlift options?

The cable car goes both ways. The chairlift pairs with a toboggan ride down, which is faster and more fun but only runs March 16 to November 15, and is not available for visitors 60 and older.

Do I have to use the cable car, or can I walk up?

The cable car and chairlift are separate paid options. The inclusions don't mention a walking path as an alternative, so confirm with the operator if you prefer to hike.

What time should I arrive?

Cable car opens at 7:30am (summer) or 8am (winter). Arrive early to beat the crowds, especially on weekends.

Is Mutianyu Great Wall crowded?

It's less crowded than sections closer to Beijing, especially if you arrive early. The forested setting and distance from the city keep visitor numbers lower than popular spots like Badaling.

Can I get to Mutianyu without a tour?

Public transportation is available nearby. You can reach it independently, but you'll still need to book the ticket in advance to skip the gate queue.

How long should I plan to spend there?

Most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours on the wall itself, depending on how far they walk. Add time for the cable car ride and shuttle.

What if I lose my QR code?

Keep it safe: reference numbers and barcodes don't work for entry. Take a screenshot or photo as a backup.