Lei Li
In This Guide
Nothing screams joy like racing down the Great Wall on a toboggan — unless you're stuck behind a slow rider. I've watched that happen dozens of times. You twist, you turn, the wind blasts your face… and then bam! Grandma from Ohio is crawling at 2 mph.
Here is the catch: most tourists go at the worst possible hour, stand in line for 90 minutes, and leave frustrated. I've brought over 300 clients to the Mutianyu Great Wall toboggan ride over the past 6 years. I know exactly how to dodge the crowds, save ¥50, and get the smoothest slide every single time.
My golden rule: Arrive at the south entrance before 8:00 AM, buy your combo ticket at the window (not online — trust me), and take the cable car up. By 8:30 you'll be on the wall, and by 9:00 you'll be flying down the slide with zero wait.
The Ride: Speed, Turns & Laughs
The Mutianyu Great Wall toboggan ride is a 1.6 km (1 mile) stainless steel slide that takes you from the wall fortress down to the exit area. You control the speed with a handbrake. Pull back to brake, release to go faster. I've seen people hit maybe 40 km/h — it's not a roller coaster, but the curves and slight dips give you a real thrill.
You sit on a little cart with a rubber mat. Single riders only (no tandem). The whole descent takes about 5–8 minutes depending on how brave you are. The track weaves through pine forest and opens up to views of the wall behind you. It is hands-down the most fun way to get down.
Who shouldn't ride?
Kids under 3? No. Pregnant? No. Bad back? Probably skip it. The ride is bumpy in a few spots. Anyone else — go for it.
Tickets & Prices
You need two things: an entrance ticket to the Great Wall (¥40) and a ticket for the toboggan (¥100). Here is the breakdown:
| Item | Price (CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance fee (adult) | ¥40 | Must buy at gate or via WeChat mini-program |
| Toboggan ride (one-way down) | ¥100 | Single rider, no discount for children |
| Cable car up (if not walking) | ¥100 (one-way) / ¥120 (round-trip) | Strongly recommend one-way up, toboggan down |
| Combo: cable car round trip + toboggan | ¥220 | Best value; sold at ticket office |
I always buy the combo at the physical ticket counter. Why? Because the WeChat mini-program for Mutianyu is entirely in Chinese and often fails with international credit cards. The ticket office takes cash or Alipay. Bring cash as backup.
Pro tip: Don't buy the chairlift combo (chairlift up, toboggan down) – same price but the chairlift is slow and exposes you to sun. Cable car is faster and air-conditioned.
When to Go: Beat the Queue
The worst time is 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. That's when the tour buses arrive. The toboggan line can stretch to over an hour. I've seen it hit two hours during Chinese national holidays.
Best windows:
- Early bird (7:30 – 9:00 AM): Virtually empty. You'll walk straight onto the slide.
- Late afternoon (3:30 – 4:30 PM): Most groups have left. The light is golden for photos on the wall before you slide down.
- Weekdays are always better than weekends. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday are the quietest.
My last group went at 11 AM on a Saturday. We waited 75 minutes. I felt terrible. Don't be that group.
How to Ride: Step by Step
- Get to the south entrance — most buses drop at the north entrance. The south entrance is nearer to the cable car and less crowded.
- Buy combo ticket at window #3 (the one marked 'tour groups' but they serve individuals too). Hand over ¥220 in cash.
- Take cable car up — 5 minute ride. Get off at tower 14.
- Walk towards tower 6 along the wall (about 20–30 minutes, amazing views). Tower 6 is where the toboggan entrance is.
- Hand your ticket stub to the attendant, sit down, wait for the green light.
- Push the lever forward to go. Use the brake gently on curves. Enjoy the wind.
Alternative: Skip the walk and take the cable car? You can. But walking from tower 14 to 6 gives you the iconic wall photos without crowds.
Safety Tips I Give Every Client
1. No loose items. Phones fly out of pockets. Use a zippered jacket. I've seen three phones lost this year.
2. Don't ride with sandals. Your feet drag on the sides. Closed shoes only.
3. Brake gently before curves, not mid-turn. Braking mid-turn can spin you.
4. Keep both hands on the lever. No one-handed selfies — there's a photo camera mid-track that captures you automatically (buy the photo later at the exit for ¥30).
5. If you're slow, pull over at the designated pull-off points. There are two spots where you can stop briefly. Let faster riders pass. Please.
3 Common Mistakes That Ruin the Fun
Mistake 1: Buying the chairlift up. The chairlift (not cable car) drops you at tower 8, but the toboggan is at tower 6. You have to walk down stairs to reach it — and those stairs are steep. Plus the chairlift has no cover. In summer you'll sweat before even starting.
Mistake 2: Coming after 2 PM on a Sunday. The line builds because day-trippers from Beijing all hit the slide before heading back. I've queued 50 minutes at 3:30 PM on a Sunday. Not worth it.
Mistake 3: Bringing a backpack. You have to carry it on the slide and it shifts your balance. Use a small waist bag or leave bags in the free lockers near the toboggan entrance (they're coin-operated, ¥1, but often full).
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team. All prices are sourced from the Mutianyu Great Wall official ticket office and are current as of the latest season.
No comments yet.