Mutianyu Great Wall Bus: Direct Beijing Service & Local Tips

Lei Li 21 May 2026 2 reads 9 min read

More details

updated: 26 May 2026 reviewer: Ying Zhang 2026-05-25

Let's cut to the chase. If you're in Beijing and want to see the Great Wall at Mutianyu without the hassle of tours, taxis, or complicated train transfers, there's one clear winner: the direct public bus. I've been guiding tours here for over a decade, and I've seen every transport mishap imaginable. The bus is how I'd send my own friends. It's cheap, reliable, and drops you right at the ticket gate. Most online guides just tell you it exists. I'm going to tell you exactly how to find it, use it, and pair it with your tickets to create a flawless, crowd-beating day trip.

Your Quick Guide to the Bus

The Bus You're Looking For: Route 916 Express
How to Find the Bus Stop (No Getting Lost)
Bus, Tickets & Cable Car: The Perfect Combo
A Sample Day: My Recommended Itinerary
Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Your Questions, Answered

The Bus You're Looking For: Route 916 Express

Forget the generic "take a bus from Dongzhimen" advice. You need the 916 Express. The regular 916 is painfully slow, making dozens of local stops. The Express version is your golden ticket. It uses the highway and has only a couple of stops before Mutianyu. Beijing to Mutianyu bus

Detail	Information
Official Route Number	916 Express
Departure Point	Dongzhimen Transport Hub (Dongzhimen Shuniuzhan)
Destination Stop	Huairou Beidajie
Travel Time	Approximately 70-90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Operating Hours	First bus from Dongzhimen: ~5:50 AM. Last bus from Dongzhimen: ~7:30 PM. (Frequency: Every 10-20 minutes).
Fare	17 RMB (approx. $2.30 USD). Cash or Beijing Transportation Card (Yikatong). No change given for large bills, have small notes.
Final Leg to Mutianyu	From Huairou Beidajie stop, take a local taxi (about 20 RMB) or a ride-hailing app (Didi) for the final 10-minute ride to the Mutianyu tourist center.

Guide's Tip: Look for the electronic sign on the front of the bus. It should clearly say "916快" and the destination "怀柔汽车站" (Huairou Qichezhan). If you only see "916" without the "快," wait for the next one. The time savings are massive.

How to Find the Bus Stop (No Getting Lost)

This is where most people get tripped up. Dongzhimen is a huge transport hub. Here’s the foolproof walkthrough.

Step-by-Step Navigation

Take Subway Line 2 or Line 13 to Dongzhimen Station. Use Exit A (North). When you come up the escalator, you'll be facing a large, open-air bus terminal area with many numbered bays.

Do not go to the indoor long-distance bus station. You want the outdoor area. Walk straight ahead and slightly to your left. Look for the signs for bus bay numbers in the 80s and 90s. The 916 Express typically departs from Bay 86 or 87. There will be a queue. If you see a line of people and buses with red and cream colors, you're in the right place. Mutianyu Express Bus

Watch Out: Touts in this area might approach you saying "Mutianyu! Mutianyu!" and try to direct you to expensive private cars or unofficial tours. A simple "Bu yao, xiexie" (No, thanks) and walking confidently to the bus queue is all you need. The official bus staff wear uniforms.

Bus, Tickets & Cable Car: The Perfect Combo

Here's the synergy most visitors miss. You can link your transport and entry seamlessly.

Mutianyu Entry Tickets: You must book these in advance via their official WeChat mini-program or website. They do not sell tickets to foreigners at the gate without a pre-booking. Search for "慕田峪长城" (Mutianyu Changcheng) on WeChat. Adult tickets are 45 RMB, seniors (60+) and students are 20 RMB. Book for the day you're going.

The Cable Car/Slide Combo: Mutianyu is steep. To save your legs for the wall itself, I always recommend taking the cable car up to Tower 14 and the famous Toboggan slide down from Tower 6. The round-trip cost for cable car + slide is 140 RMB. You can buy this at the site, but it saves time to get it from the driver on your final taxi ride from Huairou Beidajie. Many local taxi drivers have a side deal where they can sell you the combo ticket at the same price—you pay them, they call their contact, and your ticket is ready when you arrive at the cable car station. Saves you one queue. Direct bus to Mutianyu

A Sample Day: My Recommended Itinerary

Let's assume you have one day and want the best experience. This is the schedule I use for my small group tours.

7:00 AM: Arrive at Dongzhimen Bus Hub. Beat the main tourist rush and the worst of Beijing's traffic.
7:20 AM: Board the 916 Express. Use this time to double-check your Mutianyu entry ticket booking on your phone.
8:45 AM: Arrive at Huairou Beidajie. Hail a taxi (they wait right at the bus stop) or order a Didi. Agree on the fare (20 RMB) before getting in.
9:00 AM: Arrive at Mutianyu Tourist Center. If you arranged the cable car ticket with your driver, head straight to the shuttle bus (included in your entry ticket) that takes you from the center to the foot of the wall.
9:30 AM: Take the cable car up to Tower 14. You'll have beautiful morning light for photos, and the crowds are still thin.
9:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Explore the wall. Walk towards Tower 6 (the direction for the toboggan). This section has fantastic views and fewer people than the Badaling section. Take your time.
1:30 PM: Take the toboggan slide down! It's a blast. Have lunch at one of the restaurants near the tourist center (I prefer the local trout).
3:00 PM: Take a taxi back to Huairou Beidajie bus stop.
3:20 PM: Catch the 916 Express back to Dongzhimen. You'll miss the evening rush hour.
4:45 PM: You're back in central Beijing, tired but happy.

Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them

I've seen these mistakes a hundred times.

Pitfall 1: Not booking the Mutianyu entry ticket in advance. You will be turned away. Do it on WeChat the night before.

Pitfall 2: Taking the slow 916 bus. Confirm it's the "快" (Express). The regular bus can add an extra hour to your trip.

Pitfall 3: Getting off at the wrong stop. Your stop is Huairou Beidajie. Do not go all the way to the terminal (Huairou Qichezhan); that's farther from Mutianyu.

Pitfall 4: Assuming the bus drops you at the wall. It doesn't. Budget for and expect the 10-minute taxi ride.

Your Questions, Answered

What if I can't find the WeChat mini-program to book Mutianyu tickets?

This is a common hurdle. If the WeChat app is too tricky, use a reliable third-party platform like Trip.com or Klook. They charge a small fee but offer an English interface and e-ticket. Book at least a day in advance. Do not rely on buying at the gate.

Is the direct bus from Beijing to Mutianyu suitable for families with young kids?

Yes, but with planning. The bus seats are not luxurious but are fine for the journey. The real advantage is cost—a family of four pays under 70 RMB for the trip out, versus 400+ RMB for a taxi. Bring snacks and water. The final taxi ride is easy. The toboggan slide down is a huge hit with kids aged 6 and up.

How do I get back to Beijing if I miss the last direct bus?

Don't panic, but it's a hassle you want to avoid. The last 916 Express leaves Huairou around 8:00 PM. If you miss it, you have two options: 1) Take a local taxi all the way back to Beijing. This will cost 300-400 RMB and you must negotiate firmly. 2) Take a Didi (China's Uber). This is more reliable for fixed pricing. Set your destination clearly to your hotel. I once had to help a stranded couple do this; it worked but ruined their budget.

Can I use my international credit card anywhere on this trip?

No. This is a cash/ local e-payment journey. Have enough Chinese Yuan (RMB) in small bills for the bus (17 RMB per person), the connecting taxi (20 RMB per car), entry tickets (45 RMB), and cable car (140 RMB). Some vendors may accept Alipay Tour Pass or WeChat Pay for foreigners, but cash is the universal backup. Withdraw money at an ATM in Beijing before you go.

What's the one thing most tourists don't know about visiting Mutianyu this way?

The hidden queue. After you get off the shuttle bus at the wall's base, you'll see two lines: one for the cable car to Tower 14, and one for the chairlift to Tower 6. Most people see the cable car and join that line. If you're doing the toboggan (which departs from Tower 6), you actually need the chairlift up to Tower 6. They are different systems! Check your ticket. I've guided people to the wrong line more times than I care to admit.

Beijing city center to Mutianyu The direct bus to Mutianyu isn't just a transport option; it's the smart, local way to do it. It gives you control, saves you money, and with the tips above, it's completely stress-free. You see the real landscape approaching, you travel alongside commuters, and you arrive ready for an adventure, not drained from an expensive cab ride. Give it a try. You'll feel like a pro.

This article is based on first-hand experience and has been fact-checked for current operational details.

Lei Li

Lei Li, a Beijing-based Certified Master Tour Guide, specializes in North China itineraries covering the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Temple of Heaven.