Beijing Layover Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall from Airport

If you have a long layover at Beijing’s airport, say 10 hours, then this private Beijing Great Wall tour from airport is perfect for you to make the most of that time. As you exit the airport, your private guide and driver will pick you up and escort you on a 1.5-hour comfortable drive to the Mutianyu Great Wall, one of the most popular sections in Beijing among foreign travelers. En route, your guide will introduce you to this legendary man-made wonder.

The Great Wall of China, the ancient mammoth fortifications built to bar the way of invasive nomads from the north, was built from 2,700 years ago through the 14th to 17th centuries, the period that saw the most extensive and transformative construction efforts being made. The Mutianyu section we are going to visit has survived to be the best-preserved, the longest, and the most beautiful of its kind, twisting and turning like a giant dragon along the mountain ridges in wild nature. Its beauty doesn’t fade but only changes with each season, so it doesn’t matter when you come. Flowers and warmth embrace it in spring, cicadas sing around in lush summer, autumn foliage dyes it all, and the winter withering sets off its magnificence only more. 

Upon arrival, what will greet you first is a buffet lunch we’ve included for you at the foot of the Great Wall. Indulge yourself with a wide variety of dishes, including Western-style pasta and authentic Chinese stir-fries, as well as some fresh fruits, carbonated beverages, and iced water, to fuel your upcoming hike on the Mutianyu.

★ Guest’s Privilege: Cable Car, Chairlift & Toboggan Included

With us, you can enjoy an effortless access to the Great Wall, that is, either by taking a round-trip cable car to and from Watchtower No. 14, or ascending by windowless chairlift to Watchtower No. 6 and finally tobogganing down. You can make your decision and inform your guide on the spot. Note that the toboggan is not available for people aged 60 and above, as well as those with acrophobia, hypertension, or heart disease. Also, children under 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult when taking the ride.

As soon as you are on the Great Wall, kick off an exciting hike on the 2.2-km-long (1.4-mi-long) open-to-the-public walkway with 20 watchtowers, which takes around 2 to 3 hours to complete. Just cover the length based on your own physical strength. If taking the cable car, you can start to hike from the No. 14 Watchtower and head west to the No. 20 Watchtower perched at the highest point, where a spectacular panorama around is offered. Less steep at the beginning, you don’t have to pant too much while savoring the surroundings. However, shortly after that, the Hero Slope between the No. 19 and the No. 20 Watchtower, whose steps seem to be vertical from a distance, will delight visitors who crave thrills. Then retrace your steps to visit the remaining watchtowers. If you go up by chairlift, first walk east to the iconic No. 4 Watchtower, also known as the Zhengguan Terrace, to admire its unique design of three interconnected towers, and then turn back for more sightseeing.  

When it’s time, let’s get down from the wall and finish your Beijing layover tour to Mutianyu Great Wall from airport. Your guide and driver will then escort you back to the airport for your onward flight. To leave enough time for your boarding procedures, we’ll return to the airport about 3 hours ahead of your scheduled departure. Thank you for travelling with us! If you prefer a Chinese ancient royal culture immersion in the UNESCO-listed Forbidden City during this time, you can also contact us to have an exclusive trip customized for you.

► Pre-information for Your Mutianyu Great Wall Tour:
• Visa-free Transit:
If you have a Chinese visa, you can exit the airport through the regular process. For passengers eligible for a 240-hour visa-free transit, to apply for temporary entry, please follow the signs directing you to the exit-entry border inspection counter of the Beijing Capital International Airport or Beijing Daxing International Airport. Please note that nationals from any country can also apply for the 24-hour visa-free entry permit.

• Luggage Storage:
Your heavy luggage is suggested to be stored at the left-luggage office at the airport before taking this tour. You can find the luggage lockers at the following places:

At Beijing Capital Airport:
T1: On the east side of the lobby on 2F;
T2: Near Gate 9 of the arrival hall on 1F and Gate 10 of the departure hall on 2F;
T3: On both western and eastern sides of the arrival hall on 2F.

At Beijing Daxing Airport:
Daxing Airport has only one terminal. There are smart storage cabinets beside the information counter on the east side of the domestic waiting area on 2F, as well as left-luggage offices at the east exit of the arrival hall on 2F, and the far end of Island H of the departure hall on 4F.

• Currency Exchange:
There are bank branches, outlets of licensed currency exchange agencies, ATMs, and self-service exchange machines at either terminal of Beijing’s two international airports, all accepting overseas bank cards. As money exchange is most pertinent to your interests, if you encounter any problems or need any suggestions, don’t forget we are always there for help.