Beijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Option review
What the tour is like
This is my route for travellers who are willing to navigate central Beijing on the metro. You meet at a fixed point on Zhongguancun Street at 7:45 am. There is no hotel pickup, which is why the price is $7.99. The ride to Mutianyu takes roughly 90 minutes. The guide gives live commentary in English. You enter the park, go to the wall (same restored 5.4 km stretch), and have free time to walk and explore. The optional Summer Palace add-on includes a road transfer and a few hours at the Summer Palace afterwards — it makes for a long day, but some travellers want to see both in one trip. You return to the meeting point by late afternoon. The trade: no hotels pickup saves the operator time and cost, which is passed to you.
What works
- $7.99 is the lowest price to Mutianyu on this site
- 5,036 reviews at 4.9 stars, still excellent
- English-speaking guide on the ride
- Skip-the-line tickets arranged
- Optional Summer Palace add-on in the same day (ambitious but possible)
- You set your own pace at the wall — no guided walk
Worth knowing
- Fixed meeting point means you must navigate the Beijing metro to reach it
- No hotel pickup — tight for visitors unfamiliar with the city
- Shorter window at the wall if you add the Summer Palace option
- High capacity — the bus is full, especially in summer
- Less flexibility than the flagship tour
If you stay near Zhongguancun Street or know the Beijing metro well, this is unbeatable value. The Line 4 subway runs past Zhongguancun, so it’s reachable from central tourist areas. Arrive early and have a look around; there are small restaurants and convenience stores. Bring water and sunscreen. If you add the Summer Palace option, you’ll be out from 7:45 am to at least 6 pm; that’s a full day.
Who it’s for
Budget travellers comfortable with Beijing’s metro. Visitors who have studied the city or spoken to a concierge about reaching Zhongguancun. Anyone who wants to add the Summer Palace in the same day. If you want hotel pickup and flexibility, the flagship tour costs $11.07. If you want an early start to beat crowds, the lunch tour departs at 8:00 am and picks up at a subway station.
Other tours to consider
Best SellerBeijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tours with Options
With LunchBeijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Daily Tour with Ticket & Lunch
Skip the TourBeijing: Mutianyu Great Wall Entry Tickets, Cable Car & Toboggan
Frequently asked questions
Why is this $7.99 when the flagship is $11.07?
No hotel pickup. You meet at a fixed point on Zhongguancun Street. If you can reach that point by metro, you save the operator's hotel-pickup cost, and it’s passed to you.
Where exactly is Zhongguancun Street?
Northwest Beijing, near the Zhongguancun metro station on Line 4. Ask your hotel concierge for the exact pickup point when you book. Many central Beijing hotels are 15–25 minutes away by metro.
Can I add the Summer Palace?
Yes. The Summer Palace option runs from the same tour, adding a few hours at the palace and a buffet lunch. It makes a long day (7:45 am to ~6 pm), but it’s a way to see both in one trip.
Is Marysia right that this is ’very busy but worth all the work’?
She meant the tour is run efficiently and well-organized despite the crowds. Marysia praised guide Selina’s enormous knowledge. So yes—busy means popular, not disorganised.