How to Reach the Great Wall of China from Beijing Airport
The Mutianyu Great Wall, known as the “essence of the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty,” is a magnificent structure that stretches over 5400m long. Situated in the north suburban area of Beijing, specifically in Huairou District, it is located 75km away from the city center, which takes approximately 2 hours by car. This particular section of the Great Wall connects Gubeikou in the east and Juyongguan in the west and has served as a crucial strategic military point since ancient times.
One remarkable feature of Mutianyu is that it is considered the “longest great wall in China” to date. Thanks to well-executed preservation efforts, visitors can witness its original appearance and immerse themselves in the rich ancient culture that surrounds this iconic landmark. Additionally, Mutianyu Great Wall boasts breathtaking natural scenery with its lush vegetation, leaving an indelible impression on all who visit.
Which Section of the Great Wall Should You Visit from Beijing Airport?
When it comes to visiting the Great Wall of China from Beijing Airport, it’s important to note that there is no section of the wall that is particularly close. The distance between Beijing Capital Airport and any section of the Great Wall is approximately 60 – 120 kilometers (37 – 75 miles). However, there are a few recommended sections that are worth considering.
The first section we recommend visiting from Beijing airport is Mutianyu. Located around 60 kilometers from the airport, Mutianyu offers spectacular scenery and attracts fewer tourists compared to other sections. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a more peaceful and enjoyable experience.
Another option is Badaling, which is approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the airport. Badaling is known for its majestic views and grandeur. However, it’s important to note that this section tends to be crowded with tourists, especially on weekends and holidays.
If you have enough time and have already visited Mutianyu and Badaling, Simatai Great Wall is a wise choice. While it may be slightly further away, it offers a unique experience with its well-preserved architecture and picturesque surroundings.
How to get to Mutianyu great wall from Beijing airport:
While there isn’t a section of the Great Wall that is extremely close to Beijing Airport, Mutianyu, Badaling, and Simatai are all worth considering for their unique features and experiences. Taking a shuttle bus or city buses can provide convenient transportation options for visiting these sections.
To reach Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing Airport, taking a shuttle bus from Beijing Qianmen Tourist Center is the most commonly used method of transportation for tourists. The ticket price for the shuttle bus is 100 RMB per person, which includes the entrance fee to Mutianyu Scenic Area. The shuttle bus provides direct transportation to Mutianyu without any stops along the way.
Alternatively, you can also take normal city buses such as bus 916 or bus 867 to reach the Mutianyu area. However, please note that these buses may take longer due to their regular stops and transfers required at Huairou District.
Below are information on how you travel from airport to Mutianyu Great wall by public bus:
Option 1:
Airport No 6 bus >916 bus >h23 bus: about 61 km time: about 4 hours and 25 minutes.
1, About 40 meters on foot to the Capital Airport (No. 2 terminal) station
2, Get off from Airport 6 to Airport Hospital Station (7 stations altogether)
3, When you get off, walk about 160 meters to the Shunyi blacksmith station
4, Take the 916 way to Huairou North Avenue station (29 stations altogether)
5, When you get off, walk about 130 meters to Huairou North Street Station
6, Take H23 road /h24 area /h24 road /h35 road /h36 road to Mu Tian Yu roundabout station to get off (via 8 stops)
7, After getting off, it’s about 2760 meters on foot
8, Arrive at the Mutianyu Great Wall
Option 2
Bus No H23: about 56 kilometers: 4 hours and 14 minutes.
1,Starting from the T2 terminal of the Capital Airport
2,Walk about 120 meters to Huairou North Street Station
3,Take bus H23 to Mu Tian Yu roundabout station to get off (via 8 stops)
4,After getting off, it’s about 2760 meters on foot
5,Arrive at the Mutianyu Great Wall
Option 3
No 100 bus >No 67 bus>No h23 bus: about 56 kilometers: 4 hours and 19 minutes.
Starting from the T2 terminal of the Capital Airport
About 120 meters on foot to Nanfaxin station
Take the No 100 bus to Duran Zhuang station (3 stations altogether)
When you get off, walk about 140 meters to Duran station
Take the No 867 bus /No 867 tourist line, /No 936 bus and get off at the home station (via 18 stops).
Transfer to No H23 bus to Mu Tian Yu station to get off (via 10 stops)
After getting off, it’s about 2760 meters on foot
Arrive at the Mutianyu Great Wall
Option 4:
No 916 bus >No h23 bus: about 57 kilometers: 4 hours and 22 minutes.
Starting from the T2 terminal of the Capital Airport
Walk about 170 meters to the Niulanshan station
Take the bus no 916 to Huairou North Avenue station (16 stations altogether)
When you get off, walk about 130 meters to Huairou North Street Station
Take bus no H23 to Mu Tian Yu roundabout station to get off (via 8 stops)
After getting off, it’s about 2760 meters on foot
Arrive at the Mutianyu Great Wall
Option 5:
Subway line 15 >No 916 bus>No h23 bus: about 71 kilometers: 4 hours and 53 minutes.
Starting from the T2 terminal of the Capital Airport
About 280 meters to Shunyi Railway Station
Take the subway line 15 to the back Sha Yu station to get off (3 stations altogether)
From the C exit, walk about 270 meters to Houshayu station
Take the 916 way to Huairou North Avenue station (27 stations altogether)
When you get off, walk about 130 meters to Huairou North Street Station
Take H23 bus to Mu Tian Yu roundabout station to get off (via 8 stops)
After getting off, it’s about 2760 meters on foot
Arrive at the Mutianyu Great Wall
As the matter of fact, there are no direct train or bus going to Mutianyu Great wall from airport, you will have to transit buses a few time to get there and the single journey is about 60 kilometers and would take you more than 4 hours for sure, if you don’t have enough time for taking the public transportation, We would highly recommend you to use our private round transfer from airport to Mutianyu Great wall. Our driver will drive you to the foot of Great wall in about 2 hours and help with all the problems you might encounter, Such as buying the entrance ticket for the wall and Guide you to the ferry bus station where you can take bus to get to the foot of Great wall. Our driver will be waiting for you at exactly the place where he drop you off, and you will easily find the way back to our vehicle.Besides We provide you with English speaking customer service, Driver will give a phone to you when arrive Great wall, call us when you will need an help for translation.
However, taking a bus transfer remains the most recommended and cost-effective method. Travelers should first take an airport bus from Beijing Airport to downtown and then transfer to another bus that will take them directly to the Great Wall. It’s important to note that this journey can be time-consuming. Therefore, it is advisable to check your flight arrival and departure times carefully and ensure there is at least an 8-hour window between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm if you plan on visiting the Great Wall.
Alternatively, you have the option of taking a taxi or hiring a car directly to reach the Great Wall. However, it’s worth mentioning that this method tends to be more expensive, so booking in advance is highly recommended for convenience and cost-efficiency. Another excellent choice for travelers is to join a guide layover tour, which offers a comprehensive and hassle-free experience.
In conclusion, visiting the Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing Airport requires careful planning and consideration of transportation options. Whether you choose to take a bus transfer, hire a car, or join a guided tour, the awe-inspiring beauty and historical significance of the Great Wall of China will undoubtedly leave an everlasting impression on your journey.
