Written by Candice Zhao |
The Great Wall, as one of the seven wonders of the world, is a magnet for tourists from around the world. With its sections snaking through the mountain ranges, the Great Wall will reward visitors with both magnificent historical architecture and breathtaking natural views. Given its huge size and popularity, many may assume that a Great Wall of China tourĀ will be an expensive travel experience. But guess what? Its cost is actually very wallet-friendly, though the price often varies according to the section you choose, your travel style, transportation, seasons, and what facilities (like cable car, toboggans) you want to try, etc.
If you are dreaming of a trip, this guide with a clear breakdown of the cost to visit the Great Wall of China will be a helping hand for you to get better prepared.
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- Quick Overview Great Wall Visit Cost
- Breakdown of Great Wall of China Visiting Cost
- Cost to Visit Different Great Wall Sections & for Different Travel Styles
- Plan Your Great Wall of China Tour with China Xian Tour
Quick Overview Great Wall Visit Cost
When planning the Great Wall of China tour, the total cost actually varies a lot based on the sightseeing way, transportation, dining options you choose. Below is the estimated range of one-day tour cost per capitalĀ for budget, mid-range and luxury tourists with the sections in Beijing as an example.
- Budget travelers: CNY 100 – 200, include the cost of public transportation, entrance fee and simple meals. You can also bring some snacks or fast food with you as a meal.
- Mid-range travelers: CNY 300 – 600. Besides the public transportation and entrance fee, you can experience the cable-car and enjoy a hearty lunch.
- Luxury travelers: CNY 800+. This budget allows tourists to include transportation inside the scenic area and a foreign-language tour guide. Also, you can enjoy a big meal at noon.
Breakdown of Great Wall of China Visiting Cost
Admission Fees for Different Sections
Generally speaking, the entrance ticket of each section of Great Wall is somewhat different because of its location, development level and the completeness of facilities. But it mainly ranges from CNY 35 – 65. Badaling and Jinshanling set distinct prices during peak and off-peak seasons, while Mutianyu and Simatai have a uniform ticket price throughout the year. For elders and students, a half-price ticket or a free ticket can be enjoyed. Below are the tickets of main sections.
- Badaling: Peak Season (Apr. 1 – Oct. 31): CNY 40; Low Season (Nov. 1 – Mar. 31): CNY 35
- Mutianyu: CNY 45 all year round
- Jinshanling: Peak Season (Apr. 1 – Oct. 31): CNY 65; Low Season (Nov. 1 – Mar. 31): CNY 55
- Simatai: CNY 40 all year round
How Much Does it Cost to Get to the Great Wall?
Usually, most foreign tourists will choose the Great Wall sections near Beijing for the sake of convenience. So we will introduce the fee for public transportation from downtown Beijing to main sections in Beijing. Usually, it will not be more than CNY 100.
- Badaling: high-speed train: CNY 16 – 25 for a second-class seat; bus: about CNY 12; tourist direct bus: CNY 50 – 80. >> See detailed tips and cost for traveling from Beijing to Badaling
- Mutianyu: bus: about CNY 16; tourist direct bus: CNY 30 – 80
- Jinshanling: bus: about CNY 32; tourist direct bus: CNY 50
- Simatai: train + taxi: CNY 60 – 70; public bus + chartered bus: CNY 70 – 100; tourist direct bus: about CNY 50
Of course, taxi is also available, but these sections are all far from city center, so the cost is undoubtedly higher. It ranges from CNY 250 – 500 for a single trip.
Additional Costs You Should Be Aware Of
Besides the tickets and round-trip transportation, there are usually some additional costs to visit Great Wall of China. What are they? The transportation, shopping and dining inside the scenic area, like cable cars, toboggans, shuttles, souvenirs, water and food. This part largely determines your total expenditure of the tour. The estimated cost ranges from 100 – 500.
Cost for transportation inside the scenic areas
Ā |
Cable Car |
Toboggan |
Chairlift |
Ā Shuttles |
Badaling |
CNY 100 ā 140 |
CNY 80 ā 120 |
/ |
free |
Mutianyu |
CNY 100 ā 140 |
CNY 60 |
CNY 100 ā 120 |
CNY 100 ā 140 |
Jinshanling |
CNY 40 ā 60 |
/ |
/ |
/ |
Simatai |
CNY 90 ā 160 |
/ |
/ |
/ |
Cost for shopping and dining
Cost for Souvenirs |
PriceĀ Range |
Great Wall Commemorative Coin |
CNY 20 ā 50 |
Crystal Ball Model |
CNY 30 ā 60 |
3D Pop-Up Book Keyring |
CNY 20 ā 40 |
Great Wall Figurine Model |
CNY 50 ā 200 |
Cost for Dining |
PriceĀ Range |
Bottled Water (500ml) |
CNY 5 ā 10 |
Soft Drinks (Coke etc.) |
CNY 8 ā 15 |
Instant Noodles/Fast Food |
CNY 20 ā 30 |
Farmhouse Cuisine (Full Meal) |
CNY 40 ā 80 |
OthersĀ Costs |
PriceĀ Range |
Costume Rental for Photography |
CNY 50 ā 100 |
Guide (electronic or manual) |
CNY 40 ā 100 |
Great Wall Camping Costs
Do you want to enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience during your China tour? A more popular choice is to go camping to experience the tranquil environment and appreciate the starry sky of the Great Wall.
The first thing we should make clear is that the main body of most sections is usually prohibited from camping to protect the Great Wall, but in some sections, there are dedicated camping sites at the mountain foot, such as Jiankou, Gubeikou, Huanghuacheng, etc.
The cost for camping gear rental is about CNY 200 – 400 for one night, which usually includes a tent, a moisture-proof pad and a telescope, etc. You may also need to charge for the camp usage fee, about CNY 50 – 150/per person.
Cost to Visit Different Great Wall Sections & for Different Travel Styles
For tourists who plan to visit the Great Wall during their Beijing tour, the following information will be of great help to you. Below is the cost for most major sections around Beijing.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Badaling Great Wall
- Round-trip transportation: CNY 25 – 90
- Ticket: CNY 35 – 40
- Simple meal + water: CNY 40 – 60
- Cable car: single trip: CNY 100, round trip: CNY 140
- Toboggan: single trip: CNY 80, round trip: CNY 120
The total cost depends on the sightseeing way you choose. If you go hiking through the journey, it is very economical. Only about CNY 100 – 200 is needed. For tourists who want a more comfortable travel in Badaling, you can take the cable car or toboggan, then the total cost will be about CNY 200 – 300.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Mutianyu Great Wall
- Round-trip transportation: CNY 30 – 80
- Ticket: CNY 45
- Simple meal + water: CNY 40 – 70
- Cable car: single trip: CNY 100, round trip: CNY 140
- Toboggan: single trip: CNY 60
Generally speaking, a Mutianyu Great WallĀ tour costs about CNY 120 – 200 if you do not take the transportation inside the scenic area. You need to bring about CNY 200 – 250 if you plan to take the cable car or toboggan.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Jinshanling Great Wall
- Round-trip transportation: CNY 65 – 100
- Ticket: CNY 55 – 65
- Simple meal + water: CNY 30 – 80
- Cable car: single trip: CNY 40, round trip: CNY 60
For a budget travel without the cable car, the total cost of a Jinshanling Great WallĀ tour is about 150 – 250. For an easy travel with cable car, you will spend about CNY 190 – 310.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Simatai Great Wall
- Round-trip transportation: CNY 100 – 200
- Ticket: CNY 40
- Simple meal + water: CNY 40 – 90
- Cable car: single trip: CNY 90, round trip: CNY 160
Simatai Great WallĀ is relatively far from Beijing, so the transportation fee costs more, leading to the total expenditure of CNY 180 – 330 for a complete hiking tour. Plus the cable car, the total cost will reach CNY 270 – 490.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Juyongguan Great Wall
- Round-trip transportation: CNY 20 – 80
- Ticket: CNY 40 – 45
- Simple meal + water: CNY 40 – 90
Since there is no cable car or toboggan in Juyongguan Great Wall, if you visit there, what you need to pay for only includes the above items, a total of CNY 100 – 220.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Jiankou Great Wall
- Round-trip transportation: CNY 30 – 60
- Ticket: free, since it is an undeveloped section
- Simple meal + water: CNY 50 – 100
Jiankou Great Wall has not been developed officially, so it is free to enter. But is not equipped with the cable car, toboggan and shuttle bus. The cost is cheaper, about CNY 80 – 160. However, the hiking tour is very challenging, it is highly recommended to join in a guided tour. Usually, a one-day tour will cost about CNY 150.
How Much Does It Cost to Join a Group Great Wall Tour?
If you book a group tour to Great Wall, you usually choose from many existing expertly-crafted itineraries. These itineraries are usually designed based on years of experience and cover the most iconic sections and essential experiences.Ā This will save you from the hassle of itinerary planning and information searching.
Besides, the transfer, driver, guide and ticket are all included. And since you will share the service with others, its total cost is usually cheaper than the private tour with similar activities and experiences.Ā If you travel solo, want to meet other travelers and explore on a budget, the great value for money of a group tour makes it the best option.
The group tour is also divided into large groups, small groups and luxury small groups, which are priced from low to high. Basically, for tourists who just seek basic service, theĀ cost to a group Great Wall tour ranges from CNY 130 – 180.
How Much Does It Cost to Join a Private China Great Wall Tour?
The private tour is actually a completely exclusive service. It is more suitable for tourists who seek a personalized, flexible and high-quality experience. Its core service is the tailored itinerary, which means you can choose the sections you prefer or flexibly combine the Great Wall with other attractions in downtown Beijing.
Whatās more, the departure time, visiting time and travel sequence are completely up to you. You can also adjust the itinerary at any time based on your interest and strength. Regarding what services and items included, such as dedicated vehicle, driver, guide, tickets and meals, it is also up to you. Generally, the cost for a private China Great tour with car, driver, guide, and entrance fee is about CNY 500 – 900 per person.
Plan Your Great Wall of China Tour with China Xian Tour
The Great Wall is a must-visit attraction in China. If you are planning a tour, we are glad to offer you help. Both group tour and private tour are provided. We can recommend you the suitable itinerary based on your estimated cost to visit Great Wall in China. If you want to include other scenic spots, we also have abundant options. To ensure a smoother tour, the hotels, tickets, transfers and some meals are all covered. So contact China Xian TourĀ right now.
