The Toboggan Descent
A 1.6 km alpine toboggan runs from the wall down to the base — part ride, part brake-controlled slide. It is the most fun way down and a firm favourite with visitors.
Great Wall & Landmarks
great-walltoboggancable-carforestday-trip
Mutianyu Great Wall: Complete Visitor Guide
The restored Wall with a toboggan run — quieter than Badaling, greener than most
Mutianyu is the Great Wall section most loved by visitors who want restoration without the Badaling crowds. Its ramparts are in excellent condition, a cable car carries you up, and a toboggan carries you down. The surrounding pine forest makes it the greenest major section near Beijing. This guide explains the 916 Express and Huairou transfer, the cable-car-versus-toboggan choice, passport booking, and how to time your day.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- 08:00–17:30 (summer) · 08:00–17:00 (winter)
- Last entry
- 16:30 (summer) · 16:00 (winter)
- Closed
- Open daily
- Suggested time
- 4–5 hours including transfers
- Ticket price
- Around CNY 45; cable car and toboggan extra
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Oct) for the maple colour
- Booking
- Required — passport ID, real-name reservation
- Nearest metro
- No metro at site — Line 2/13 to Dongzhimen, then the 916 Express
How to Book Mutianyu with a Foreign Passport
Mutianyu uses real-name ticketing tied to your passport through its official channels. Book on the venue's WeChat mini-program or website before you travel so you skip the gate queue and secure a toboggan slot.
- Find the official Mutianyu Great Wall WeChat mini-program (search 慕田峪长城). Avoid resellers who add a markup.
- Enter your passport number exactly as printed; one passport equals one ticket and is scanned at entry.
- Add the cable car or toboggan if you want it; both sell out on busy days, so book them together.
- Choose a date and arrive early — the 916 Express and the Huairou transfer take over an hour each way.
Getting There
By metro
Take Metro Line 2 or 13 to Dongzhimen, then the 916 Express bus to Huairou. From Huairou transfer to a local H-prefix bus or a shared taxi to the Mutianyu entrance (about 45 minutes).
By taxi
Show the driver 慕田峪长城 (Mutianyu Great Wall). From Huairou a taxi to the gate costs a negotiable flat fare.
Entrances
Enter at the main south gate. Most riders take the cable car up to tower 14 and descend by toboggan; the walking route starts near the same gate.
What to See Inside
Tower 14 and the restored ridge
The cable car deposits you near tower 14 on a fully restored, broad rampart. Walk east or west along crenellated walls with open forest views on both sides.
The pine and maple forest
Unlike the bare ridges elsewhere, Mutianyu is wrapped in pine and, in autumn, red maple. The green setting is why photographers rate it the most scenic restored section.
The Chairlift alternative
A separate chairlift serves the eastern end, letting you ride up and walk a quieter stretch. It spreads the crowd and gives a different angle on the same wall.
Photo Gallery
A Ming Border Fortress Rebuilt
Mutianyu was first built in the Northern Qi dynasty (6th century) and rebuilt under the Ming in the mid-15th century by General Xu Da, as part of the line defending the capital's northern approaches. Its position guards a strategic gap in the mountains.
The section fell into disrepair after the Ming collapse in 1644 and stayed quiet for centuries. Unlike Badaling, Mutianyu was only restored in the 1980s, which is why its stonework looks fresher and its watchtowers are particularly dense — 22 towers in roughly 2.5 kilometres.
Today Mutianyu is praised as one of the best-preserved sections open to visitors, with dense watchtowers and intact parapets. It receives far fewer tour groups than Badaling, and its forest setting has made it a regular choice for autumn colour photography.
Suggested Route
- 1. Dongzhimen to Huairou Take the 916 Express from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then transfer to a local bus or shared taxi for the final stretch to the gate.
- 2. South gate and ticket check Show your booked passport ticket at the south gate, then walk or shuttle to the cable car base station.
- 3. Cable car to Tower 14 Ride the cable car up to tower 14; from here the restored ridge opens in both directions with the best forest views.
- 4. Walk the restored ridge Stroll east and west along the wall, photographing the dense watchtowers, then return to the cable car or chairlift station.
- 5. Toboggan down and exit Take the toboggan back to the base (weather permitting), then reverse your Huairou and 916 transfer to return to Beijing.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not rely on a single bus — the Huairou transfer needs a local H-prefix bus or a shared taxi.
- Book the toboggan online; it closes in wind and sells out on clear weekends.
- Avoid the 10:00–14:00 window when the 916 Express and gate are busiest.
- Bring your physical passport — the gate scanner reads the number, not a screenshot.
- Skip touts at Dongzhimen offering direct cars at triple the bus fare.
Combine It With
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book Mutianyu in advance?
Yes. Tickets are real-name and tied to your passport, and the cable car or toboggan can sell out. Book on the official WeChat mini-program before you travel so you secure both entry and your preferred descent.
How much does Mutianyu cost?
The entry ticket is around CNY 45, with the cable car and the toboggan each extra. Confirm the current combined price on the official account, as the packages change by season.
How long does Mutianyu take?
Allow a full half day — four to five hours including the 916 Express and Huairou transfer each way. Inside the site, two to three hours covers the cable car, the ridge walk and the toboggan.
When is the best time to visit Mutianyu?
Autumn (September–October) brings red maples and clear air, while spring is mild and green. Weekdays beat weekends, and the opening hour is the calmest time on the ridge.
Cable car or toboggan at Mutianyu?
Ride the cable car up and the toboggan down for the classic experience. If wind closes the toboggan, the cable car runs both ways, so book it as your reliable fallback.
