Mutianyu Great Wall Tour: Is it Worth it? A Detailed Review

Thinking about heading to the Great Wall when you’re in Beijing? That’s totally a terrific idea! Seeing this unbelievable piece of history is often high on many folks’ bucket lists. Now, you might be eyeing the ‘Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Top Beijing Sights Day Tour,’ and maybe you’re wondering if it’s a good use of your day. Well, I did that very tour recently, and I’m here, as a matter of fact, to give you all the lowdown – the exciting stuff, the bits that were maybe just alright, and whether I think it’s honestly a journey you should consider. So, prepare yourself, too, it’s almost as if we’re going on this adventure together!

Why Mutianyu? A Close Look

There are plenty of sections of the Great Wall you could go check out near Beijing, right? That is, Mutianyu is quite favored, maybe because it’s so somewhat picturesque and perhaps less packed with folks when compared to the ever, very famous Badaling section. Apparently, Mutianyu has these beautifully redone sections of the wall – some of the oldest, in fact dating way back to the 6th century! – that snake up and down dramatic hills. Also, the greenery around this portion is just something else, it’s very breathtaking views basically any way you turn. But the big question is, basically, does that popularity turn into a positive tour experience? Or maybe it’s not all what it’s said to be?

I opted for the Mutianyu tour because I wanted great photos, a less claustrophobic visit, plus a toboggan ride down. I really thought it seemed kind of touristy, but tons of reviews basically talked about how great the experience was, and that is, after doing more research, I learned that some tour companies can really influence their reviews on websites like TripAdvisor etc.

The Booking Process and What’s Included, right?

So, let’s first jump into securing a place on the ‘Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Top Beijing Sights Day Tour’. Typically, a search on any tour website can basically get you a booking through many companies. You usually want to be really careful of where you are purchasing from.

These tours are available pretty often. Just read the small text, if you are looking to haggle with your driver because they decide to spontaneously decide to stop at tea places.

Typical inclusions can consist of this, that is: transportation (pickup and drop-off from your hotel), an English-speaking guide, entrance tickets to the Mutianyu section, and quite a flexible timeframe to basically go poke around on the wall itself. Lunch might be an add-on option or could be contained, it kind of really just hangs on what package you plump for. Clearly, make sure to double-check precisely what is part of the deal when you are securing it. Also, double check what websites might influence these tours!

Getting There and First Impressions

Most tours generally claim to whisk you away very early, generally between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM, with a meet up right from your hotel. The drive to Mutianyu can, in some respects, stretch between 1.5 to 2.5 hours, nearly hinging on Beijing’s traffic at the time. Use the restroom or eat beforehand, you won’t see much time after leaving Beijing!

I, actually, felt the drive gave an opening for a little scenic treat outside the mega-city, letting you catch glimpses of the rural views. Now, let’s just imagine finally reaching Mutianyu! That is, even getting to the base involves this picturesque vibe; the fresh air feels brilliant compared to the metropolis. The base teems a little bit with eateries, little stores peddling souvenirs, and ticket counters.

Climbing the Wall: Options and Experiences

From the bottom you basically get to select to scale the wall either on foot (something for the brave), by cable car, or ski lift. It seems like I opted for the cable car for the stellar scenes you absorb as you escalate. When I got to the wall, then it all seemed extremely real! It is almost so awesome when you stand atop it.

Walking really gets you some phenomenal views, or that is, I basically appreciated the exercise! Watch the restored battlements and keep lookout sites as the wall curls like some huge mythical dragon up the green mountains. The steps are usually steep and the stones might get slick, basically, so be savvy about stepping. And certainly, do stop once in a while to let the grandness settle in, since the surroundings are very unique in their beauty.

I am of a very okay fitness, and that is I was still sweating as I moved through each post.

The Toboggan Run: A Thrilling Descent

The toboggan is the standout moment for really many people when hitting Mutianyu. Instead of getting the cable car to get back down, so why not tear down a gleaming metal track at possibly fast speeds! Maybe it seems a bit touristy, but actually, it’s such a load of fun. You sit in a little cart and basically take command of the speed using a lever – drag to scoot, forward to rip!

Zooming down, hearing the sound of the wheels underneath as that views buzz by is nearly a blast! Actually, it’s quite an exhilarating finish to really checking the wall. Children and very most grownups will cherish the toboggan, but be just aware; that it gets busy, usually creating longish waits. But genuinely, those waits are more often than not worth every moment of sheer giddiness!

Lunch and Other Facilities

Dependent really on which tour option you settle on, that, too, there can be lunch contained in the deal, commonly at some spot neighboring the wall. When meals don’t come with the trip, usually you might grab food at one of the diners below, which dish up various choices – starting at local plates to recognizable staples. That is, actually, you can come across Starbucks at the base of Mutianyu Great Wall.

Toilets can usually be accessed at the wall base. A bunch more modest souvenir stalls really allow opportunities for mementos.

Potential Downsides of the Tour

While my trip teemed with very great moments, actually, it’s actually not unfair to basically name some potential downsides. Depending when you drop by, really large masses could hamper things a bit. A stretch of those slender corridors on the wall probably get fairly jam packed, and that does reduce part of the experience when you’re continuously attempting to sidestep somebody. That’s because choosing off-peak periods (very late autumn, winter, very early spring, and hitting Mutianyu early in the day) should give you quite a less hustled atmosphere.

Travel businesses will, too, bring guests to tourist traps. Always tell them NO! They will normally go away after the fifth or sixth rejection. It is important to only purchase goods from stores that you want. Do not purchase from the location that they are trying to take you.

Is This Tour “Worth It”? My Verdict

So, following everything taken into consideration, so does this ‘Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Top Beijing Sights Day Tour’ warrant that expense? Honestly, I basically feel that yes, arguably, it can absolutely represent an exceptional, effortless way, in a way, to explore such a global landmark. Actually, what’s brilliant: seamless organization plus included transportation alleviates many logistical anxieties.

Going at my rhythm while rambling along the wall then snapping unbelievable panoramas has simply been grand, and that is. Then, zooming back riding a toboggan creates that additional zing that is tough to contest. The disadvantages are just somewhat linked with peak times combined with standard tourist stuff, but really mindful arranging helps tame those problems. Therefore, by and large, so I very thoroughly give that day journey a seal for people trying to sample the awe-inspiring beauty which the Great Wall displays with barely any trouble!

I would rate the ‘Beijing Mutianyu Great Wall Top Beijing Sights Day Tour’, six out of ten stars due to transparency on review platforms. It could also improve its time to experience ratio, too. I found that this tour brought me around places that were outside of my requirements. A more concise, transparent service is key to bringing up it’s service up. I would, in other words, still highly recommend this for beginner tourists whom have trouble navigating or don’t speak Chinese.

Key Takeaways:

• Mutianyu provides fantastic picturesque chances coupled with lighter group size versus some portions regarding The Great Wall.
• Choose to do your tour wisely basically paying attention to extras involved for that booking fee!
• Toboggan has truly became must take motion, so brace you’ll possibly bide your opportunity patiently!
• Keep away busy peak durations if hoping relaxed quieter atmosphere upon wall
• Keep your expectations lowered depending on feedback regarding excursions – tourist tricks and pushes maybe take the moment from experiencing actual landmarks correctly and naturally