Exploring the Great Wall of China is a must for any visitor to Beijing, and the city offers several accessible options for reaching the most famous sections of this historic landmark. If you’re looking to visit the Great Wall but prefer to avoid the hassle of driving, public transportation is a convenient choice. This guide will walk you through the easiest ways to get to the four major sections of the Beijing Great Wall: Badaling, Mutianyu, Juyongguan, and Simatai, all using public transit.
1. Badaling Great Wall (八达岭长城)
Badaling is the most developed and popular section of the Great Wall, making it easily accessible by public transportation. It’s ideal for visitors who prefer convenience.
- By High-Speed Train: Take the high-speed train from Beijing North Station or Qinghe Station to the Badaling Great Wall Station. Tickets can be purchased in advance through 12306.
- By Suburban Railway (S2 Line): Board the S2 suburban railway at Huangtudian Station and get off at Badaling Station. You can pay with a transportation card, Yitongxing, or Alipay’s ride code. There are no fixed seats, and Huangtudian Station is conveniently located next to the Huoing Metro Station.
- By Bus (Route 877): Direct buses to Badaling leave from Deshengmen Bus Station. This is one of the most straightforward options.
- By Bus (Route 919): If the previous options are crowded, consider taking the 919 bus. This bus makes more stops along the way, so the journey will take longer. Get off at Badaling Forest Park Station.
- By Tourist Line 3: This dedicated tourist bus operates from Beijing South Station and Qianmen to Badaling Great Wall, with one-way tickets priced at 50 yuan and round-trip tickets at 80 yuan.
2. Mutianyu Great Wall (慕田峪长城)
Mutianyu offers stunning views and is less crowded compared to Badaling, but it requires a bit more effort to reach.
- By Suburban Railway (S5 Line): Take the S5 suburban train from Beijing North Station or Qinghe Station, which can be booked in advance through 12306. After reaching Yanqi Lake Station or Huairou North Station, take a taxi to the Great Wall.
- By Bus (Route 916 Express): The 916 Express bus departs from Dongzhimen Hub Station. Disembark at Huairou North Street, then either take a taxi or transfer to another local bus.
- By Tourist Line 5: Tourist Line 5 runs from Chaoyang Station to Mutianyu Great Wall, with tickets priced at 50 yuan one-way and 80 yuan for a round trip.
3. Juyongguan Great Wall (居庸关长城)
Juyongguan is one of the closest sections to the city, making it easy to visit from central Beijing.
- By Bus (Route 919): This route is available, but be careful not to board the express version of the 919, as it skips stops along the way.
- By Subway: Take the Changping Line of the subway to its final station, then transfer to a taxi to reach Juyongguan Great Wall.
4. Simatai Great Wall (司马台长城)
Simatai is known for its rugged terrain and scenic beauty, and getting there by public transport requires a bit of extra effort.
- By Suburban Railway (S5 Line): Take the S5 suburban railway to Gubeikou Station, then take a taxi to Simatai.
- By Tourist Bus (Route 22): This bus route departs from Dongzhimen Outer and goes to Gubei Water Town. From there, it’s a short trip to the Simatai Great Wall.