China · GREAT WALL TOURS

Great Wall Tours: The 15 Best Ways Up

167 tours  ·  from $10

The choice is really between restored and wild: Mutianyu and Badaling for cable cars and handrails, Jinshanling and Simatai for broken brick and nobody else. These 15 compare the sections, the transport and the price of each.

From Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options - Four to five hours among Mutianyu’s towers
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options

1.Mutianyu Great Wall Tours with Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 9,216 reviews · 8 - 10 hours · from $19Our pick

Take a direct Mubus coach from central Beijing to Mutianyu for four to five hours on the Wall. Choose independent exploring, a 30-minute architecture talk, a demanding 5-kilometer hike, lunch, or an overnight villa stay. Guides speak English, Spanish, or Russian, with guides such as Jily, Helly, Amelia, and John often praised for clear advice.

“We had an absolutely wonderful day today with perfect weather! We visited two of Beijing’s most iconic attractions: Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Our tour guide Amelia was incredibly professional and passionate. She shared detailed historical stories and made the whole trip enjoyable and informative. The Mutianyu Great Wall was breathtakingly spectacular—far more impressive than we imagined. The cable car ride up and the thrilling slide down were such fun experiences that we highly recommend. The Summer Palace was equally beautiful, with stunning lakes, pavilions, and traditional Chinese architecture. Every corner felt like a painting. Amelia took great care of our group, kept u...”

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Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Daily Tour with Ticket & Lunch - Five hours to choose your own route
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Daily Tour with Ticket & Lunch

2.Mutianyu Great Wall Daily Tour with Ticket & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,056 reviews · 9 hours · from $18Top rated

Meet guide Kevin, Linda, or another English-speaking guide at Zhangzizhonglu Subway Station at 8:00 AM. Ride by bus to Mutianyu, enter with your ticket, and spend about five hours exploring the Wall. Add a Chinese-style lunch for good value. Cable cars and the toboggan cost extra.

“I had a great time, Kevin was a nice guide! The lunch was also great.”

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All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall - Walking through the Forbidden City
Beijing Tours, Forbidden City Tours, Great Wall Tours, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

3.All-Inclusive Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,873 reviews · from $128

Spend 9 to 11 hours exploring Beijing with a private guide such as Lucy, Wendy, Jerry, or Bobo. Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, eat lunch at a local restaurant, then hike Mutianyu Great Wall with a cable car or chairlift and toboggan option. Hotel pickup, tickets, water, and return transport are included.

“Lucy was our tour guide. She went above and beyond to make sure our family saw everything wev wanted to see and have the best experience. I high recommend Lucy and this tour!!”

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MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour - Arriving at Mutianyu and getting uphill
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

4.MuBus: Mutianyu Great Wall ENG/ESP/RUS Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,361 reviews · from $20

Take a direct MuBus from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu, with an English, Spanish, or Russian guide on board. You get entry, internal shuttle buses, tea, snacks, and about five hours at the Wall. Guides such as Kevin, Mike, Taka, and Helly help with routes and tickets. Add a buffet lunch or choose the 5-kilometer hiking option.

“This is a bare bones tour that gets you to the Wall and back, and sorts out the admin of getting tickets. That said, it served my needs. Our guide on the bus, Jili, provided some handy info on the history of the Great Wall, as well as what to expext once we got there. Once you're at the Wall, you're pretty much on your own, with well over 5 hours to explore Mutianyu.”

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Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall - The Forbidden City, three hours inside the imperial complex
Beijing Tours, Forbidden City Tours, Full-Day, Great Wall Tours, Tiananmen Square Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

5.Beijing Full Day Tours: Tiananmen Sq, Forbidden City, Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,634 reviews · from $99

Start with hotel pickup, then visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before driving to Mutianyu Great Wall. This 10 to 11 hour small-group tour includes tickets, buffet lunch, water, headsets, and a cable car or chairlift with toboggan. Guides such as Helen and Rocky are known for clear explanations and helpful photos.

“We had Helen as a tour guide. She is approachable, attentive and accommodating. She provided information about places well. We had a good experience with her.”

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Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options - Meeting at Dongzhimen and riding to the wall
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Summer Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

6.Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,272 reviews · from $20

Take Mubus from Dongzhimen to Mutianyu on an 8:00 or 10:00 departure. Your English-speaking guide, such as Mike, Jilly, Leo, or Cici, explains the wall on the ride and helps with route choices. Entry, internal shuttle, tea, snacks, and luggage storage are included. Cable cars, toboggan rides, lunch, and Summer Palace options depend on the package you choose.

“Recomendo 100% o passeio!! Tem café, a guia fala inglês, o que facilita nossa vida, pois as pessoas que trabalham na muralha não falam!!! Tem um almoço muitoooooooo gostosooooooo no final do passeio e recomendo comprar os pacotes que são oferecidos na hora com teleférico, escorregador, etc!!”

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Beijing:Mutianyu Great Wall Private Trip with English Driver - Pickup in Beijing and the 1.5-hour drive
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Private Drivers, Private Drivers in Beijing, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing:Mutianyu Great Wall Private Trip with English Driver

7.Mutianyu Great Wall Private Trip with English Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,263 reviews · 6 - 8 hours · from $84

Travel from Beijing to Mutianyu in a private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver such as Peter, Jack, Naomi, or Shane. Your driver helps with entrance and shuttle tickets, explains the route, and leaves you free to explore for about three hours. Cable car and toboggan rides cost extra.

“I had a really great time with Peter, he picked me up in my hotel in the lobby in the agree time, very punctual and reliable!! He explained about the great wall and gave me some tips to enjoy it better. Recommended this tour to everyone!!”

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Beijing: Mutianyu Gt Wall Trip, Depart 8-10am Bus w/ Tickets - The 1.5-hour ride north
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing: Mutianyu Gt Wall Trip, Depart 8-10am Bus w/ Tickets

8.Mutianyu Gt Wall Trip, Depart 8-10am Bus w/ Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,256 reviews · 8.5 - 9.5 hours · from $18

Take a licensed ZANBUS from central Beijing to Mutianyu, with admission, park shuttle, and English help included. You get about five hours to explore independently, choose a hiking route, or pay extra for a cable car and toboggan. Guides such as Maggie, Lina, Lucy, and Brown help with tickets and directions.

“The tour was fantastic, very well organized. Our guide, brown, was very kind and funny, and very well prepared about the history of china and the great wall”

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Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Day Tour - Four hours on the Mutianyu Great Wall
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Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Day Tour

9.Mutianyu Great Wall & Summer Palace Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,004 reviews · from $29

Spend a packed day at Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace with an English-speaking guide such as Yoyo, Lee, Amy, or Jackie. You get about four hours at the Wall, three hours in the royal gardens, air-conditioned transport, and no shopping stops. Cable car, toboggan, and lake boat rides cost extra.

“The tour was very nice ! Amy , the tour guide , was excellent!”

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Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English-Speaking Driver - Reaching the Wall: shuttle bus, tickets, and cable cars
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Private Drivers, Private Drivers in Beijing, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English-Speaking Driver

10.Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English-Speaking Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 927 reviews · from $78

Spend about eight hours visiting Mutianyu with private transport from your Beijing hotel or airport. Your English-speaking driver, such as Kevin, Ken, Wu, or Matthew, handles the drive and basic logistics while you explore independently. Entrance and shuttle bus fees are included. Cable car and toboggan rides cost extra.

“It was really great day! The Great Wall left us speechless. It’s very beautiful! Our driver was Matthew, a very kind, perfect and professional person. We really recommend this tour.”

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Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English-Speaking Driver - Reaching the Wall: shuttle bus, tickets, and cable cars
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Private Drivers, Private Drivers in Beijing, Tour Reviews, Tours

Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip With English-Speaking Driver

11.Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip With English-Speaking Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 899 reviews · from $92

Travel from Beijing to Mutianyu in a private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver. You get hotel pickup, entrance admission, shuttle transport, bottled water, and about three hours to explore independently. Drivers such as Peter, Ken, Ruby, and Jack have helped with tickets, routes, photos, cable cars, and the toboggan ride.

“The trip was excellent. Mr Guo was very kind and helpful and an excellent guide for our tour who gave great advice on how to enjoy the walk on the wall. The pickup was punctual and we has a very comfortable trip to the Wall and back to our hotel. We very much enjoyed our visit to Mutianyu Great Wall. Thank you Mr Guo.”

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Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace Excursion:Group/Private Options - Morning pickup and the ride to Mutianyu
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Summer Palace Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace Excursion:Group/Private Options

12.Mutianyu Great Wall&Summer Palace Excursion:Group/Private Options

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 816 reviews · from $124

Spend 8 to 9 hours visiting Mutianyu and the Summer Palace from Beijing. You’ll ride a cable car or ski lift, hike the Wall, and explore royal halls with guides such as Lucy, Sherry, Aurora, or Cindy. Lunch, tickets, bottled water, and hotel transport are included. Private and small-group options are available.

“First and foremost, shoutout to my guide Cindy for being very kind, professional, knowledgeable, and overall great. She truly made the experience five stars. Her humor, her insight, her in depth details, her personal stories all made the historical sites all the more meaningful. It was awesome as a solo woman to get this private tour and transport, compared to how most other tours are jam packed buses with enormous group sizes on a tight schedule. Instead, I got to take my time at my own pace! We spent however long I wanted in whatever place, whether be the Great Wall or the jade store or lunch or Summer Palace……”

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Great Wall of China at Badaling and Ming Tombs Day Tour from Beijing - Cable car or stairs at Badaling?
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Great Wall of China at Badaling and Ming Tombs Day Tour from Beijing

13.Great Wall of China at Badaling and Ming Tombs Day Tour from Beijing

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 731 reviews · from $87

Spend a full day outside Beijing at Badaling Great Wall and Chang Ling Ming Tomb. Your English-speaking guide, including guides such as Jenny, Lisa, Mary, Michael, or Lee, handles transport and site details. Expect steep steps, crowds, a Chinese lunch, and shopping stops at a jade factory, with cable car access available for an extra fee.

“Mary was very knowledgeable and explained everything to us, she sorted out everything for us with an excellent professionalism”

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Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights - Tiananmen Square and the route into the Forbidden City
2-Day Experiences, Beijing Tours, Forbidden City Tours, Great Wall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights

14.Beijing 2-Day Tours: Great Wall, Forbidden City & Top Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 688 reviews · from $99

Spend two full days seeing Beijing’s biggest sights with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and air-conditioned transport. Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, then ride to Mutianyu for the Great Wall. Day two brings the Temple of Heaven, a hutong rickshaw ride, Lama Temple, and Summer Palace. Guides may include Helen, Rocky, Tom, Lucy, or Lisa.

“‘Rocky’ was our guide and we could not have had a more knowledgeable, polite, and supportive person. This was the best excursion of our entire China experience that we had several in different cities. The Forbidden City and Great Wall arRead more”

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From Beijing: Small Group Hike at Jinshanling Great Wall - Meeting at Dongzhimen at 8am
Beijing Tours, Great Wall Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews

From Beijing: Small Group Hike at Jinshanling Great Wall

15.Small Group Hike at Jinshanling Great Wall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 667 reviews · 9 hours · from $52

Leave Beijing at 8am for a three-hour hike from Jinshanling East to the main gate. You’ll cross restored and original wall sections, climb steep steps, and pass more than 15 watchtowers. Choose an English-speaking guide or hike independently with maps and support from drivers such as Zhang Feng, Charlie, John, and Li Jinbo.

“Need to have baseline decent fitness but if you do its fun. Very few people in this section of the wall which was great”

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New in Great Wall Tours

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★ 4.5Mutianyu Great Wall Private Tour with TicketFrom $2210 reviews
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