If you want to do a tour, of course that’s possible, there are plenty of options out there (websites like GetYourGuide have loads).
But if your vibe is going on your own and exploring at your own pace, spending as much time as you want on the wall, then this guide is for you because that’s exactly what we did. We love a good DIY tour.
So let’s dive in. I’ll take you step by step through our day at the Wall so you’re never left wondering “what’s what.”
Getting to the Great Wall from Beijing
Assuming you already have your accommodation booked in Beijing, you’ve got two options:
- Take a taxi there and back, or
- Go by public transport (it’s what we did)
We left our accommodation at 6:00 AM from Dongsi Hotel, but honestly, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it. We paid about £30 per night. It was basic, dated, but did the job.
Quick tip: if you’re booking hotels on Trip.com, always check the reviews. People tend to upload loads of photos, and it’s the easiest way to see if the rooms actually look like the listing.
From Dongsi Station we hopped on Line 5. Tickets were just 3 yuan per person. You can pay cash, or better yet, set up Alipay, you’ll end up using it for most things in China, so you might as well. We rode three stops to Yonghegong Lama Temple, quickly transferred to Line 2, and then got off at Dongzhimen Station.
Dongzhimen Transportation Hub & Bus to Huairou
From the metro, follow the signs toward the Dongzhimen Transportation Hub (about a 9-minute walk). Exit E brings you right onto the street, and in just one minute you’ll see the entrance to the hub on your left. Inside, you’ll see signs with bus numbers. Look for Bus 916 at the North Bus Platform. Don’t worry, the signage is clear and you won’t get lost. (And you can always ask someone if needed, everyone is very helpful and will know where you are going) Join the queue and wait, buses seem to run quite often. Most people on them are locals commuting to work rather than tourists, which makes it feel authentic.
- Cost: 6 yuan per person by cash, or tap with Alipay.
- If you pay cash, drop the exact fare into the box by the driver.
- If you use Alipay, make sure you activate the transport button in the app and that you tap when you get on and tap when you get off. The fare depends on distance, so if you don’t tap at the end it might overcharge.
Get off at Huairoubeidajie. From there, you’ll need a taxi to the entrance of Mutianyu. We shared a taxi with another couple from the bus which dropped the price for us even further so find out who else is going. Also if you are haggling with taxi’s be sure to talk about the overall price and not price per person, as you might get a little shock if they mention price per person once you arrive there!
Taxi from Huairou to the Mutianyu Entrance
Here you’ve got two choices:
- Unofficial taxis: Plenty will approach you. If you go this route, agree on the price beforehand it shouldn’t be more than 35 yuan.
- DiDi (China’s Uber): Safer, easier, and fairly cheap.
We ended up sharing a cab with a Russian couple safe to say the conversation was interesting! Our driver (ordered via DiDi) was lovely, pointing out sights along the way, including a rice crusher we passed on the road. The ride takes about 20 minutes.
Tickets to the Great Wall
Next up: Tickets.
If you’re with a tour, this is already handled. But for DIY travellers, the easiest option is Trip.com. Honestly, this app will be your best friend in China, you can book flights, accommodation, and attractions without needing a VPN.
Here’s the ticket we bought: https://www.trip.com/t/UL27tVH9ZR2
We opted for the entry ticket + shuttle bus combo. The shuttle is essential unless you want to walk over an hour uphill before you even get to the Wall. (We ended up doing 30,000 steps that day anyway, so trust me: Take the shuttle.)
Why We Chose the Mutianyu Section
We picked Mutianyu because it’s said to be less crowded than other sections, while still offering incredible views. It’s 5.4 km long with 24 towers in total. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Towers 1–6: not always open.
- Towers 6–14: the most popular route, with the cable car at Tower 14 and the chair lift + toboggan at Tower 6.
- Prices were around 100 yuan each for a single ride, or 150 yuan for combos (e.g. cable car up, toboggan down).
- Towers 14–20: steeper, but with fantastic views.
- Towers 20–24: closed for safety.
Our Route on the Wall
From the ticket office, we walked about 5min and took the shuttle bus up to the entrance. Originally, we wanted to hike up to Tower 6 (about 40 minutes). But a staff member stopped us, warning us about something “hydrogen-related” (we’re still not sure what they meant, maybe a mistranslation of “hazardous” 😅). Honestly, with 32°C heat, it was probably for the best.
Instead, we took the cable car up to Tower 14, walked up to Tower 16, and then turned back, walking all the way down to Tower 6. From there, we took the chair lift down.
In hindsight, I would’ve loved to take the toboggan down, it looked way more fun, but the line was super long and each toboggan has to return before the next rider can go. So, chair lift it was.
On the Wall
Walking along the Wall is surreal. Some parts are steep, others more gentle, but every turn gives you another incredible view. We explored for a few hours, stopping often just to take it in.
One of the highlights for us was reaching one of the watchtowers and sitting quietly for a while. It was peaceful, almost hard to believe that we were standing on something so historic and iconic.
Heading Back
After soaking in the views and making our way back down via chair lift and shuttle bus, it was time to head back to Beijing. We basically reverse-engineered our morning route: grabbed a DiDi from the Great Wall entrance back to the Huairoubeidajie bus stop, hopped on the 916 bus to Dongzhimen, Line 2 for one stop, then back onto Line 5 and straight to our accommodation.
Practical Tips
- Leave early: The earlier you go, the fewer the crowds.
- Pack wisely: water, snacks, sunscreen, hat, and comfy walking shoes (there are some limited options for food and snacks on the wall but can be quite pricey.
- Payment: Alipay and DiDi make life easier. But carry some cash too.
- Taxis: Agree on the price if taking an unofficial one.
- Time management: If you’ve got a train or flight later, plan extra time. We had to sprint to catch our sleeper train to Xi’an.
Final Thoughts
As soon as you catch your first glimpse of the Wall through the trees, it will be an epic moment. The sheer scale is hard to describe, it’s one of those moments you’ll remember forever. When we finally stood on the Wall, grinning from ear to ear, it felt like a dream come true. This had been on our bucket list for years, and it didn’t disappoint. If you’re going to Beijing for one reason only, let it be this. The Great Wall at Mutianyu is unforgettable.
I hope this step-by-step guide helps you confidently plan your trip and make the most of your day at the Wall.
If I missed anything or you’ve got questions, feel free to reach out, our DMs on Instagram are always open.
Overall cost for 1 person: 301.48 CNY / £31.46 / €36.04
Your friend,
Oana