 Looking for a less crowded section of the Great Wall of China? We visited the Wall on a day trip from Beijing. In this guide, we share our honest experience, tips, and everything you need to know before you go.

We chose this section of the Wall because we wanted a more relaxed visit without the usual crowds. If you’ve spent some time in China already, you’ve probably experienced how packed major sights can get with large tour groups. This part of the Wall is far enough from Beijing to avoid the worst of the crowds, yet still close enough for a comfortable day trip. We left our hotel around 8:00 a.m., and when we arrived, there were only a few other visitors — it was peaceful and easy to enjoy.

Is it the best section for first-timers? That depends — but if you’re looking for scenic views, fewer people, and a more relaxed experience, then absolutely yes. It’s a great compromise between distance from Beijing and crowd levels. Unlike Badaling, which is the most popular (and crowded) section, this part of the Wall offers a quieter visit without requiring a long drive like Simatai or Jinshanling.

In this post, we’ll share everything about our visit — what worked, what didn’t, and the tips we wish we had known — so you can plan your trip even better.

China has a strict internet firewall that blocks most Western apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, Google, and YouTube. That’s why having an eSIM is super convenient, we stayed connected with Saily eSIM during our trip and it was the best solution to keep using all of our and Chinese apps without any issue.

HOW TO GET TO THE MUTIANYU GREAT WALL?

We booked a ride with the ride-hailing app DiDi from our hotel in Beijing to visit the Great Wall. When the driver arrived, he immediately tried to convince us to hire him for the entire day, claiming no other driver would agree to just a one-way drop-off and that we’d be stranded on our way back. His initial offer was CN¥600 ($US 72), but we weren’t in the mood to negotiate or play along with his tactics.

Frankly, if he wasn’t willing to do the ride as booked, he shouldn’t have accepted it in the first place. We declined, but he kept pressuring us and refused to cancel the ride himself. So we simply canceled, got out and ordered a new DiDi — and the next driver took us straight to the Wall without any issues or sales pitch.

Also, finding a ride back was no problem at all. There were plenty of DiDi drivers waiting at the exit, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Another great option is to book a bus ride through GetYourGuide, which takes you to the Great Wall either in the morning or afternoon. You can choose between transport-only and entrance tickets or opt for a package that includes a guide in your preferred language and even lunch. It’s a convenient and stress-free way to visit, especially if you don’t want to deal with ride-hailing apps.

BOOK | Mutianyu Great Wall Bus + Guide + Lunch

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WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING?

There’s no shade at all along this section of the Wall, so be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen or sun protective clothing — depending on how long you explore, you don’t want to end up with the sunburn of your life. We also recommend closed shoes, as you don’t want to sunburn your feet either, but the path is overall easy to walk, with a mix of flat stretches and stairs. If you’re planning to climb the full route, be ready for a workout — but if you just want to stroll a bit and take some photos, any comfortable shoes will do.

PACKING LIST

sunscreen SPF 50+
UV protected compact umbrella
sunglasses
hat / cap
lightweight long-sleeved clothes
reusable water bottle
tripod

TIPS FOR THE BEST EXPERIENCE

Ways to Explore: Toboggan, Cable Car, or Chairlift

You can definitely hike all the way up, but for most people, taking the cable car or chairlift is the more comfortable option. The climb is steep and long, and since there’s still quite a bit of walking to do once you're on the Wall, it’s worth saving your energy for that.

We took the cable car, which dropped us in the middle section (watchtower #14). From there, we first walked toward Hero Slope (watchtower #20) to beat the heat, then backtracked and continued all the way to the toboggan ride (watchtower #4) for our way down.

PRICE | ¥100/140 | €12/17 | US$14/20 one way / round trip

So, we think it’s best to choose where to start based on your fitness level and how much of the Wall you actually want to walk. If you’re mainly after a few great photos, there's no need to climb every step.

If you're as ambitious as we are and want to see as much as possible, the best option is to start early and head straight for Hero Slope — a steep climb of 198 steps to the highest viewpoint in this section. It’s a workout, but totally worth it for the view. Also consider the time of day — if you arrive around midday, climbing under the blazing sun won’t be much fun, so do not start with this section.

Alternatively, you can start your visit by taking the chairlift up, then walk along the Wall toward Hero Slope as your final stop. From there, head back and take the cable car down. This route saves the steepest climb for last, if you dare to do it — which might be better if you're starting later in the day.

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The main crowds were gathered around Watchtower 14, but the further you walk, the more the crowds start to thin out. The main reason Watchtower 14 draws a crowd is because it's one of the best photo spots — you get amazing views of the Wall stretching below and the Hero Slope in the distance. There are even signs pointing out the best angles for photos. Some visitors prefer to take the cable car for a round trip and only explore the middle section of the Wall. It’s a good option if you're short on time or just are not into too much walking.

We ended up spending almost half a day here, mostly because we took tons of pictures and really soaked in the scenery. If you're more into walking through quickly and snapping a few shots, you’ll likely need only 2 to 3 hours.

By the end of our visit, the section between Watchtowers 13 and 6 was almost empty, while most people were heading in the direction of Watchtower 20. We wrapped up our visit with a fun ride down the toboggan — a great way to end the day.

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