Great Wall guide
Getting to the Great Wall from Beijing
Getting to the Great Wall from Beijing: high-speed rail and buses to Badaling, direct tourist buses to Mutianyu, and Jinshanling transport options.
Last updated: September 26, 2026
The transport reality
Getting to the wall is half the trip — literally, in time. Budget 2–5 hours round trip for transport depending on the section, and plan to leave Beijing early. Here's every practical option, section by section.
.jpg){kind=link}
To Badaling (~60–70 km northwest)
High-speed rail — the best option. Beijing–Zhangjiakou HSR trains run from Beijing North and Qinghe stations to Badaling Great Wall station in roughly 20–30 minutes, with around 17 trains a day reported. Second-class fares run about ¥18–40 (~$2.50–$5.50). Book on 12306 or Trip.com — weekend morning trains sell out.
Bus 877 — the classic budget option. The direct public bus takes about 1.5 hours and costs around ¥12 (~$1.70) max. Important 2026 caveat: recent reports say the departure point moved from Deshengmen to Beitucheng (Lines 8/10) — verify the current departure point before you go, as sources conflict.
Private car / DiDi: about an hour from central Beijing depending on traffic. Fine for groups splitting the fare.
To Mutianyu (~70 km northeast)
Mutianyu's official site publishes a full transport guide — the options below marked verified come straight from it.
Direct tourist buses (verified, recommended):
- Mu Bus — Dongzhimen Subway Station Exit B1, departs 8:00 and 10:00. Book via the Mu Bus site/WeChat or Ctrip/Mafengwo/Meituan/Qunar.
- Zan Bus — Wangfujing (Regent Beijing, Dengshikou Metro Exit C), departs 8:00/9:00/10:00. Book via the Zan Bus site/WeChat mini-program or major OTAs.
- Hub for Tour Dispatch — departs Qianmen 7:00–11:00, Dongzhimen (Exit H) 9:10, Shaoyaoju (Exit E) 9:30; returns 13:00–16:00 from Parking Lot P4. ¥80 (~$11) round trip, tickets on board.
Public bus (verified route, fares approximate): Bus 916 from Dongzhimen to Huairou Beidajie, then transfer to H7/H23/H24/H35/H36 to the scenic area. Cheapest option (~¥12 + local fare — about $2 total) but slowest — allow 2+ hours each way.
Private car / DiDi: about 1.5 hours from central Beijing. Arrange return in advance.
To Jinshanling (~130+ km northeast, in Hebei)
The hardest section to reach — and the reason many visitors take a tour here.
- Weekend public bus (unconfirmed): a 2026 visitor report describes an 8:00 AM bus from Wangjing West (platform 6) running weekends and holidays only, ~2.5 hours, returning at 16:00 — but this is a single-source claim. Verify on arrival; don't build your day around it without confirmation.
- Tourist buses: ZanBus reportedly runs daily from Wangfujing (7:30 AM, return 15:30). Confirm schedule when booking.
- Private car / DiDi: 2–2.5 hours each way. Arrange your return ride before you go — ride-hailing is scarce in the countryside.
- Rail fallback (unconfirmed): Beijing North → Gubeikou, then a ~15-minute taxi to Jinshanling.
Which option for you?
| Situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Badaling, any day | High-speed rail |
| Mutianyu, want simple | Mu Bus or Zan Bus |
| Mutianyu, cheapest | Bus 916 + transfer |
| Jinshanling | Tour or private car |
| Group of 3–4 | Private car / DiDi, split fare |
Leave early. For a 9–10 AM arrival on the wall, you're leaving central Beijing by 7–7:30 AM for Badaling/Mutianyu, and by 6 AM for Jinshanling. The first-visit guide has the full day plan, and where to stay covers which Beijing neighborhoods put you closest to your departure point.
Rather skip the logistics? The top-rated Mutianyu day tour bundles transport, ticket, and lunch with hotel pickup — the simplest way to do the wall if Beijing transit isn't your thing.
Check availability on GetYourGuidePartner link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What's the easiest way to get to the Great Wall from Beijing?
Badaling by high-speed rail (under 30 minutes from Beijing North or Qinghe stations) is the easiest. For Mutianyu, the direct tourist buses (Mu Bus, Zan Bus) from Dongzhimen/Wangfujing are the simplest. Jinshanling takes the most effort — 2+ hours each way.
Is there a direct bus to the Great Wall?
Bus 877 is the classic cheap direct bus to Badaling (around 1.5 hours). Note: recent 2026 reports say its departure point moved from Deshengmen to Beitucheng — verify the current departure point before you go.
How do I get to Mutianyu by public transport?
Two good options: bus 916 from Dongzhimen to Huairou then transfer to local buses, or the direct tourist lines — Mu Bus (Dongzhimen, 8:00/10:00), Zan Bus (Wangfujing, 8:00/9:00/10:00), or the Hub for Tour Dispatch line from Qianmen (¥80 / ~$11 round trip). The tourist buses are simpler and worth it.
Can I get to Jinshanling by public transport?
It's awkward. A public bus reportedly runs from Wangjing West on weekends and holidays only (verify on arrival — single-source claim), and tourist buses run from Wangfujing. Most visitors use private cars or tours for Jinshanling.
Should I just take DiDi to the Great Wall?
DiDi works for Badaling and Mutianyu (expect a long, not-cheap ride). For Jinshanling, arrange your return in advance — ride-hailing is scarce in the countryside and you don't want to be stranded.
Related guides
Where to Stay for a Great Wall Visit
Most visitors should stay in Beijing — but the right neighborhood (or a night at the wall) changes the whole day.
Updated September 26, 2026
What to Bring and Wear for the Great Wall
The wall is a mountain hike, not a museum visit. Here's the packing list that keeps you comfortable.
Updated September 26, 2026
Note: GreatWallVisit is an independent travel information site and is not affiliated with any Chinese government body, tourism authority, or ticket vendor. Always verify prices, hours, and entry rules through official channels before your visit.