Mutianyu Great Wall Night Tour (July to August)

● Please Note: This Mutianyu Great Wall night tour is only available from July to August and on holidays of the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and National Day holiday from October 1 to 7. To have a tranquil visit, we suggest you select a weekday for today, as weekends and holidays normally see the attraction less impressive with more crowds, which might also affect the ticket-booking.

There was a claim that the Great Wall of China is the only architecture that can be seen from space. Although it’s a debunked exaggeration, it well implies the grandiosity of the man-made miracle. Built throughout 2,000 years of history to block northern nomadic invasions, it stretches across as much as half of China, via mountain regions, plains, the loess plateau, and deserts. The portions constructed from the 14th century to the 17th century are the crowning glories - tougher, more wisely laid out, and the grandest. The Mutianyu piece we are going to visit today is exactly one of those. We’ll visit at a later time to see the sunset igniting a symphony of reds and oranges, and the Wall becoming a shimmering giant dragon after being lit at night. You’ll see fewer crowds here than at Badaling, another popular Great Wall section in Beijing, and surprisingly fewer if you come with us at this time!

● Here is a suggested itinerary with details:
15:30:
Your private guide and driver will pick you up from your self-booked hotel in downtown Beijing and accompany you on a private 1.5-hour vehicle ride to Mutianyu Great Wall. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to some histories related to the Great Wall.

17:00:
Upon arrival, jump in a cable car up to the No.14 Watchtower on the Great Wall and, if weather permits, catch a sunset. Let your guide’s immersive stories and the interplay of light and shadow transport you to the remote past. Imagine how the same sun had witnessed the wars and conflicts once staged here and how it is relieved now. Towards evening, usually on the platform of No.14 Watchtower, there are art performances, sometimes live music played by bands or with a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, sometimes Chinese dance by artists in ancient clothing, and sometimes Peking Opera. 

► Tip: The ticket package we booked for you includes unlimited chances to experience the cable car, so if you like, at dinner time, you may descend to the base for some food at your own expense and then come up again. Fast food chains such as Burger King and Subway, as well as some cafes is available there.19:00:
With the sound of their music reverberating in the background, start your hike in the company of your guide. Hike the section between No.10 and No.15 Watchtowers, which will glow with lighting from now until 21:30. The pathway will be dimly lit with lamps put invisibly in arrow holes on either side of the wall. All will be made more enigmatic by less visitors and the night sky. Your experienced guide will also give you advice on where to capture great photos. If you bring a drone, a panorama will reveal a giant dragon winding in vivid radiance. Besides, there are interactive light shows to have fun with.

20:30:
Get on another 1.5-hour transfer back and arrive at your downtown hotel around 22:00. This is the end of your half-day Mutianyu Great Wall night tour. Thank you for travelling with us!

► We also offer other private tours to Beijing’s more iconic sights, such as the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, and Hutong alleys; and if you’re interested, contact our travel consultant for a customized trip.

● Tips on Your Great Wall Night Tour:
1. As your safety is our chief concern, please mind your step on the pathway that is only faintly illuminated and has stairways from time to time.
2. Take mosquito repellent - remember we are in the wilds! Wear lightweight, comfortable shoes and quick-dry clothes in case you sweat. 
3. Once you are on the Great Wall, you can only find the restroom at the No. 14 Watchtower, so please use it as soon as you get off the ascending cable car if needed.
4. If you want to take advantage of your noon time before the tour to taste authentic Beijing flavors in the city center, we suggest you try the most typical Roast Duck, which will be sliced, served with cucumber and scallion strips, and wrapped in rice paper with special sauce to eat. If you’re interested, visit any branch of the time-honored halal Purple Light Garden Restaurant or Siji Minfu Restaurant near your hotel.