Choosing Great Wall Tickets Is Harder Than It Looks: Badaling vs Mutianyu Explained

You have dreamed of the Great Wall, but your foreign credit card may not work on the booking site, and there are no ticket windows at the gate. This guide compares Badaling and Mutianyu so you can pick the right section and actually get in.

Quick Answer

Which Great Wall section should I visit?

Direct answer: Choose Mutianyu if you want easier booking with a foreign credit card, gentler slopes, and fewer crowds. Choose Badaling if you must see the most famous section, want the fastest transport via high-speed rail, or plan to visit the Night Wall in summer. Mutianyu is the safer choice for most foreign tourists because its official website accepts international cards directly.

How do I book tickets as a foreigner?

Direct answer: For Mutianyu, use the official website at www.mutianyugreatwall.com, it accepts Visa and Mastercard. For Badaling, use Trip.com, Klook, or ask your hotel to buy tickets through WeChat Pay. Badaling has no on-site ticket windows, and its WeChat mini-program requires Chinese payment methods that are hard for foreigners to set up.

What is the biggest mistake foreign tourists make?

Direct answer: Arriving at Badaling without a pre-booked ticket. Badaling has completely removed on-site ticket sales. You must reserve online before you go. The second biggest mistake is trusting street touts near Deshengmen who offer cheap day trips, these are shopping scams.

Booking Risk Warning Box

⚠️ Warning: Badaling tickets often sell out during holidays and require advance booking. Walk-in entry is not allowed.

Quick Decision Table

TripChina Verdict

Mutianyu Great Wall is the best choice for most foreign tourists. The booking process works with foreign credit cards, the slopes are gentle, the crowds are manageable, and the toboggan descent is genuinely fun. Choose Badaling only if you have confirmed tickets, can use WeChat Pay (or have a hotel buy for you), and are prepared for heavy crowds and steep steps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Arriving at Badaling without a pre-booked ticket: Badaling has no on-site ticket windows. You must book online in advance.
• Trusting street touts near Deshengmen: They offer cheap day trips but are shopping scams. Ignore them.
• Using the wrong booking channel for Badaling: The WeChat mini-program requires Chinese payment. Use Trip.com or Klook instead.
• Forgetting your original passport: Copies, photos, and screenshots are not accepted at either section.
• Bringing a drone or tripod: They are banned at most sections.
• Smoking at Mutianyu: It is a forest fire prevention zone with no smoking allowed.

Badaling Great Wall: The Iconic Choice

What makes it special

Badaling is the section foreign dignitaries visit and the one that appears on most postcards. The highest point, North Tower 8, is known as Haohan Slope (Hero Slope). A seasonal Night Wall opens in summer with lit sections from North Tower 4 to South Tower 4.

The crowd reality

Badaling has a daily cap of 65,000 visitors. On holidays and summer weekends, tickets sell out days in advance. The north line steps exceed half a meter in height on some sections. You will queue for photos at Haohan Slope.

Transport options ranked

High-speed rail (best option): Depart from Beijing North Station or Qinghe Station to Badaling Great Wall Station. Journey takes 19-30 minutes. Second-class ticket costs about 25 yuan. Buy at the station with your passport or through the English 12306 app. From the station, it is a 5-10 minute walk to the ticket gate.

S2 Suburban Railway: You can take it from Huangtudian Station (accessible via Exit G4 at Huoying Station on Subway Lines 8 and 13) and get off at Badaling Station – no transfer is needed along the way.

• Getting off: The S2 line has a stop called "Badaling Station." After boarding at Huangtudian, simply alight there. There is no need to change trains.
• From the station to the scenic area:
  • Walking: It is about 1 kilometer (a 10–15 minute walk) to the ticket office and the main entrance.
  • Free shuttle bus: The scenic area also provides a free shuttle bus; you can look for it near the station exit.

Important note: The S2 line's "Badaling Station" and the high‑speed railway's "Badaling Great Wall Station" are two different stations, about 1 kilometer apart. Please be careful not to confuse them.

Bus 877 (backup only): Departs from Deshengmen Arrow Tower, accessible from Jishuitan Station Exit B2 on Metro Line 2. Journey takes 70-90 minutes without traffic but is prone to delays. Fare is 6 yuan with transit card or 12 yuan cash. Last return bus is at 17:00. The Deshengmen area has aggressive touts offering fake cheap tours, ignore them.

Tour buses: Some services depart from Chongwenmen or Xuanwumen metro stations for about 80 yuan round-trip. Verify the operator and schedule before booking.

Ticket booking tutorial

Please scan this Mini Program code with WeChat to purchase tickets.

Badaling has no on-site ticket windows. You must pre-book online.

Step 1: Choose your booking channel.

• WeChat mini-program: "长城内外旅游" (Great Wall Inside and Out), requires WeChat Pay
• Official website: badalinggreatwall.com, may still require Chinese payment
• Third-party: Trip.com, Klook, KKday, accept foreign credit cards

Step 2: Select your time slot. Badaling uses strict morning (6:30-12:30) and afternoon (12:30-16:30) entry windows. Late arrival may be denied entry.

Step 3: Enter your passport details exactly as they appear on your passport. Name and number must match. Case and space errors can result in entry denial.

Step 4: Pay. If WeChat Pay fails, ask your hotel front desk to buy tickets on your behalf using their verified account. This is a common workaround.

Step 5: Save your booking confirmation. Some foreign passport holders need to exchange the online booking for a paper ticket at the Comprehensive Service Window near the entrance. Bring your passport and confirmation.

Refund policy: Cancel before 22:00 on your travel date for a full refund. After 22:00, the ticket is non-refundable.

💳 Important: Most Badaling booking channels require WeChat Pay, which is difficult for foreign credit cards.

What to expect on the wall

The North Line (3-4 hours) is the classic route: entrance to North Tower 4, then North Tower 7 (cable car top), then North Tower 8 (Haohan Slope, highest point), then continuing to Towers 10-12. This is the most crowded section with steps over half a meter high.

The South Line (2-2.5 hours) is quieter with gentler slopes. It runs from Pass City to South Tower 7. Better for photos and suitable for elderly visitors.

The cable car goes to North Tower 7, not the highest point. You still need to walk to North Tower 8. Cable car costs 100 yuan single or 140 yuan round-trip.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Street scalpers and hotel "fast track" offers are all fake. No one can give you priority access.
• No toilets on the wall. Use the visitor center before ascending.
• The north line steps are steep and uneven. Wear grippy sports shoes.
• Night Wall ground cable car runs one-way up only (17:30-19:30). You must walk down.

Mutianyu Great Wall: The Smart Choice

What makes it special

Mutianyu has 90% vegetation coverage, giving it a greener, more open feel than Badaling. The wall is well-restored with gentler slopes. The toboggan descent from Tower 6 is a unique experience, you control the speed with a hand brake. English-speaking staff are available at the service desk.

The crowd reality

Mutianyu has a daily cap of about 30,000 visitors. Crowds are calm year-round compared to Badaling. Tickets are usually available one day in advance, even in peak season.

Transport options ranked

MuBus (best option): Departs from Dongsi Shitiao near the Hong Kong-Macau Center. Costs about 80 yuan round-trip and includes the mandatory shuttle bus. Website: mubus.cn (English service available). Departs at 7:30.

Zanbus: Departs from Hepingxiqiao Metro station. Also about 80 yuan round-trip.

Public bus (not recommended): Take Bus 916 Express from Dongzhimen to Huaibei Street, then transfer to H23 or H24, or take a taxi for about 40 yuan to the scenic area. This route requires Chinese language ability and is time-consuming.

Driving: Take the Jingcheng Expressway to exit 13. Parking costs 20 yuan per day.

Ticket booking tutorial

Please scan this Mini Program code with WeChat to purchase tickets.

Mutianyu still has on-site ticket windows, but queues can be long in peak season. Online booking is recommended.

Step 1: Use the official website at www.mutianyugreatwall.com. This site accepts foreign credit cards directly.

Step 2: Select your date and time slot. Morning (8:30-12:30) or afternoon (12:30-16:30).

Step 3: Enter your passport details. Save your booking confirmation.

Step 4: At the entrance, you may need to show your booking confirmation and passport. Some foreign passport holders need to exchange for a paper ticket at the gate.

Refund policy: Unused tickets are refundable before 24:00 on your travel day. No refund after that.

What to expect on the wall

A mandatory shuttle bus costs 15 yuan round-trip and covers the 3 km from the visitor center to the wall base. There is no walking alternative. The last shuttle departs about 30 minutes after closing time.

Two transport options operate from the wall base:

• Cable car (enclosed): Goes to Tower 14. Costs 100 yuan single or 140 yuan round-trip.
• Chairlift + toboggan: Chairlift goes to Tower 6. Toboggan descends from Tower 6. Combo costs 180 yuan. Single toboggan descent costs 100 yuan.

Important: The cable car and chairlift/toboggan are separate operators. Tickets are not interchangeable. Choose your route before buying.

The best scenery section is Towers 14-20. This area has fewer people, lush greenery, and open views. The total open section is 5,400 meters from Tower 1 to Tower 18.

Pitfalls to avoid

• The chairlift and toboggan are suspended in strong wind or rain. Only the enclosed cable car operates in bad weather.
• Mountain prices are high. A grilled sausage costs 15 yuan. Bring your own water and snacks.
• Mosquitoes are active in summer. Bring repellent.
• No smoking anywhere in the scenic area. It is a forest fire prevention zone.

Practical Tips for Both Sections

Passport rules

You must carry your original passport. Copies, photos, and screenshots are not accepted. Your name and passport number must match your booking exactly. If you lose your passport, you cannot enter.

What to wear and bring

• Grippy sports shoes. Some steps are steep and uneven.
• A light jacket. Temperature drops on the mountain and wind can make it feel cold.
• High-SPF sunscreen, arm sleeves, and a hat. UV is extreme in summer.
• Water and snacks. Mountain prices are high and options are limited.
• Band-aids for blisters.
• Mosquito repellent in summer.

When to go

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the best weather. Arrive before 7:30 on holidays to avoid queues. Avoid 10:00-14:00 for the worst crowds. Avoid Chinese national holidays entirely, Spring Festival, May Day (May 1-5), and National Day (October 1-7).

What not to do

• Do not climb wild or unrestored sections. Fines apply during fire prevention periods.
• Do not bring drones or tripods. They are banned at most sections.
• Do not bring pets, large suitcases, skateboards, or bicycles.
• Do not smoke at Mutianyu.

Emergency contacts

• Badaling: 010-69121383
• Mutianyu ticket hotline: 010-61626928
• Beijing tourism foreign visitor hotline: 010-12301 (multi-language)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Badaling tickets at the gate?

No. Badaling has completely removed on-site ticket windows. You must pre-book online through the WeChat mini-program, official website, or a third-party platform like Trip.com or Klook.

Can I use a foreign credit card on the Badaling official website?

Usually no. The WeChat mini-program requires WeChat Pay, which is difficult for foreigners to set up with a foreign card. Use Trip.com, Klook, or ask your hotel front desk to buy tickets on your behalf.

Is Mutianyu easier to book for foreigners?

Yes. The official Mutianyu website at www.mutianyugreatwall.com accepts foreign credit cards directly. You can book one day in advance in most cases.

Do foreigners need a passport to buy Great Wall tickets?

Yes. Foreign travelers need to provide their passport information when booking Great Wall tickets. Most sections of the Great Wall use a real-name ticketing system, which means your ticket is linked to your passport details.

When entering the site, bring the same passport used for booking. Staff may check your passport at the entrance, ticket gate, or shuttle/cable car area.

Tip: Avoid entering incorrect passport information. A mismatch between your passport and ticket details can cause delays or prevent entry.

Can I buy Great Wall tickets on the same day?

Sometimes, but it is not recommended, especially for popular sections like Mutianyu and Badaling during weekends, holidays, and peak travel seasons.

Many Great Wall sections limit daily visitors, and tickets may sell out in advance. Foreign travelers should ideally book 1–3 days before visiting, especially if you need:

Shuttle bus tickets/ Cable car or toboggan tickets/ A specific visiting time slot

If same-day tickets are available, you can usually purchase them through the official booking channels or ticket offices, but you may have fewer choices and risk wasting time if tickets are sold out.

Best practice: Reserve tickets before leaving Beijing, especially for Mutianyu, because transportation time is long and a failed ticket purchase can disrupt your entire day.

Do I need to print my ticket after booking online?

Possibly. Some foreign passport holders need to exchange their online booking for a paper ticket at the Comprehensive Service Window. Bring your passport and booking confirmation.

Is the Mutianyu shuttle bus optional?

No. The shuttle bus is mandatory and costs 15 yuan round-trip. You cannot walk the 3 km from the visitor center to the wall base.

Can I take the toboggan if it is raining?

No. The chairlift and toboggan are suspended in strong wind or rain. Only the enclosed cable car operates in bad weather.

This article is part of the Beijing Travel Guide Hub.

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