Description
Day 1: Great Wall Dual-Summit · From Magnificent Daylight to Sparkling Starlight
【Today’s Itinerary (Times are for reference only)】
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08:00 – 10:00: Your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive to Mutianyu (approx. 75 km).
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10:00 – 13:30: 【Mutianyu Great Wall (Day View)】. We recommend taking the cable car up from Watchtower 14. This section is the essence of the wall, featuring gentle terrain and excellent views.
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13:30 – 14:30: Enjoy the included lunch.
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14:30 – 16:30: Drive to the Simatai Great Wall / Gubei Water Town area.
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17:00 – 19:30: 【Simatai Great Wall (Night View)】. This is the only section of the Great Wall in China open for night tours. It is recommended to take the cable car up half an hour before sunset to witness the “Great Wall Sunset” and the subsequent “City of Stars” as the town lights up.
【Attraction Details】
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Mutianyu Great Wall: Originally built in the early Ming Dynasty (1368), it features double-sided battlements, meaning it could resist enemies from both sides—a rare find in Great Wall architecture. Watchtower 20 is the highest point here, perfect for capturing classic shots of the wall winding like a giant dragon over the mountain peaks.
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Simatai Great Wall: Once identified by UNESCO as the “Original Great Wall.” It preserves its original Ming Dynasty appearance and is famous for its “dense” architecture—with several watchtowers built within just a few dozen meters, showcasing exquisite construction.
【Travel Tips & Food Recommendations】
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Descent Tip: At Mutianyu, you may choose to try the “Speed Toboggan” at your own expense (approx. 140 RMB/person) to experience the thrill of gliding down the “spine” of the Great Wall. It’s suitable for all ages.
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Dinner Recommendation (Self-pay): After arriving at Gubei Water Town, we recommend “Gubei Roast Duck King.” The roast duck is prepared in a hanging oven with fruitwood, resulting in crispy skin and tender meat. Average cost: 150-180 RMB. Address: Zuofang Street inside Gubei Water Town.
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Wind Protection: The Great Wall is at a high altitude. Even in summer, the temperature drop after sunset is significant. Please bring a windbreaker or light jacket.
【Service Description】
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Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle, Chinese/English speaking guide, entrance tickets for Mutianyu and Simatai Great Wall, lunch for the day, and selected accommodation in the Gubei Water Town/Simatai area.
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Optional: Mutianyu round-trip cable car/toboggan (approx. 140-160 RMB), Simatai Great Wall round-trip cable car (approx. 160 RMB).
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Meals: Breakfast (self-pay), Lunch (Great Wall Organic Farm Meal), Dinner (self-pay).
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Accommodation: Selected courtyard or hotel inside or near Gubei Water Town.
Day 2: Water Charm of Gubei · The South of the Yangtze Below the Great Wall
【Today’s Itinerary (Times are for reference only)】
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09:00 – 12:00: 【Gubei Water Town In-Depth Tour】. The town is most peaceful in the morning. You can stroll along the cobblestone paths and admire the Northern-style courtyard architecture set against the backdrop of the majestic Great Wall.
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12:00 – 13:00: Enjoy the included lunch.
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13:00 – 15:00: 【Folk Culture Experience】. You are free to explore various intangible cultural heritage workshops in the town or relax by Mandarin Duck Lake.
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15:30 – 17:30: Return to your hotel in central Beijing with wonderful memories, ending the journey.
【Culture & Activity Details】
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Architectural Features: Gubei Water Town is designed based on classic Ming, Qing, and Republican-era mountain courtyard styles. We highly recommend the 【Yongshun Dye House】, where you can see giant dye vats and towering drying racks—the perfect spot for ancient-style photography.
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Traditional Experiences:
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You may choose to visit the 【Zhenyuan Escort Office】 to learn about old Beijing’s escort culture.
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You may choose to participate in handmade tie-dyeing, kite painting, or paper cutting (DIY activities usually last 45-60 minutes, costing approx. 50-100 RMB/person).
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Special Activity: You may choose to take a 【Canal Boat Ride】 (Cost: 80 RMB/person one way, 120 RMB/person full trip). Drift between weeping willows and ancient buildings to experience the unique gentleness of this “Northern Water Town.”
【Local Food Recommendations】
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Snack Pick: Try the 【Qiaotou Cake】 (approx. 5 RMB/piece). With a soft, chewy crust and a sweet bean paste filling, it’s a town favorite with a constant queue.
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Lunch Arrangement: Today’s lunch features an 【Authentic Water Town Flavor Meal】, such as Miyun Reservoir Fish Head or traditional Northern home-style dishes.
【Service Description】
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Included: Private car transfer back to your Beijing hotel, guide service, entrance to Gubei Water Town, and lunch for the day.
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Optional: Boat rides within the scenic area, handicraft experience projects, afternoon tea, and personal expenses.
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Meals: Breakfast (included), Lunch (Water Town Specialty Set Meal), Dinner (self-pay).
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Accommodation: None.
Badaling Great Wall / Mutianyu Great Wall — Practical Information
Tickets & Booking
- Mutianyu Great Wall student/senior ticket: Half-price concession CNY 20 per person; postcard concession CNY 25 (Beijing-registered residents over 60, medical staff and others free of charge, but must call ahead to reserve and exchange tickets); advance booking required (Mutianyu Great Wall official website/official channels)[src]
- Mutianyu Great Wall cable car (enclosed cabin) / Speed slide: Cable car adult round trip about CNY 120, one way about CNY 100; children round trip about CNY 60, one way about CNY 50; slide adult round trip about CNY 120, one way about CNY 100 (also a “chairlift up + slide/cableway down” package about CNY 140; OTA reference); no booking required[src]
Transport & Schedules
- Deshengmen → Badaling Great Wall | Bus 877: From Deshengmen take bus 877 direct (about 1–1.5 h); third-party timetables show outbound departures about 6:00–12:00 and return trips about 10:30–17:00, fares from CNY 12, with a discount f[src]
- Metro Line 13 Huoying station → Badaling Great Wall | Suburban railway Line S2 (Huangtudian station): Transfer at Huoying metro station to Line S2 (Huangtudian station) to Badaling station; third-party sources give a fare of about CNY 7, no advance booking, buy on site per departure (non-off[src]
- Dongzhimen → Mutianyu Great Wall | Bus 916 Express + H24: From Dongzhimen take 916 Express to Huairou North Avenue, then transfer to H24 to Mutianyu Great Wall; many stops, about 2.5–3 h (third-party guide).[src]
Where to Stay · Room Type · Nearby
- Yanqing district (at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall) | Reference price Characteristic guesthouses, reference several hundred CNY per night (OTA reference) | Room tip: View room/standard room | Nearby add-ons: Badaling Great Wall, Ancient Great Wall, Shuiguan Great Wall, Ming Tombs[src]
- Huairou district (at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall) | Reference price Scenic-area hotels/guesthouses, reference several hundred CNY per night (OTA reference) | Room tip: View room/standard room | Nearby add-ons: Mutianyu Great Wall, Yanqi Lake, Jiankou Great Wall[src]
Typical Climate & Packing (Past Years)
- January: -9.4–1.6 °C, Windy and freezing at the Great Wall passes; slippery when snow and
- February: -6.9–4.0 °C, Still cold; windproof and warm clothing needed
- March: -0.6–11.3 °C, Warming and windy; mountain flowers gradually bloom
- April: 7.2–19.9 °C, Cherry blossom and mountain flower season along the Great Wall; larg
- May: 13.2–26.4 °C, Pleasant climate; hiking the Great Wall is fairly comfortable
- June: 18.2–30.3 °C, Rainy season begins; watch for thunderstorms and slippery paths
