BusDa-Full-Day Bus Trips: Mutianyu, Summer & Old Summer Palaces

Mutianyu is the star here: a scenic, well-preserved stretch of the Great Wall with mountain views, restored watchtowers, and optional cable car or toboggan rides. I like that this tour pairs it with two imperial garden sites, giving you both a major outdoor sight and a calmer look at Beijing’s royal past.

I especially like the no-shopping format and the early start, which can mean better photos before the wall fills up. The buffet option also has a practical perk: it can include beer, according to the tour details.

The catch is the long day and the extra charges. A group can reach 47 people, and cable cars, toboggans, boats, and some guide or lunch services cost more or depend on the package you choose.

Key points to know before booking

• Mutianyu gets three and a half hours, enough time to see several towers without rushing every step.
• The Summer Palace gets two and a half hours, useful for the lake, gardens, and imperial buildings, but not enough for every corner.
• Yuanmingyuan finishes the day with a quieter, more reflective visit than the Great Wall.
• The advertised price is remarkably low, but optional rides and package upgrades can change the final cost.
• The early departure helps with photographs, and guide Aria is noted for clear storytelling and a friendly manner.
• Transport is by air-conditioned bus, with a maximum group size of 47 on the standard activity.

Three major Beijing sights in one long day

This tour works because the stops contrast nicely. You begin among mountain ridges at Mutianyu, move to the water and gardens of the Summer Palace, then finish at the Old Summer Palace, where the mood turns more serious.

I would not book this simply because it covers a lot of ground. I would book it because the three sites show different sides of Beijing: military defense, imperial leisure, and cultural loss and endurance.

The schedule totals about seven and a half hours at the sights. The full experience lasts around 10 hours, so the remaining time is used for road travel, boarding, and moving between northern Beijing and the city’s historic garden areas.

That makes this a strong choice if you have limited time or a layover-style visit. It is not the right fit if you prefer a slow morning, long museum visits, or the freedom to linger wherever you wish.

Mutianyu Great Wall, the day’s main event

You get about three hours and 30 minutes at Mutianyu, with admission included. This section is prized for its restored watchtowers, broad mountain views, and generally quieter feel compared with the most crowded parts of the Great Wall.

I like the length of this visit. It gives you time to walk along the wall, stop at the towers, and take in the hills without treating the site as a quick photo stop. You still need to manage your energy, since the wall involves slopes and steps, but the schedule gives this landmark the attention it deserves.

The cable car and toboggan are optional and cost 140 RMB per person each. Check exactly what that price covers before paying, especially if you are offered a combined arrangement or a return ride. One past booking problem involved confusion over cable car pricing, so clear confirmation is wise.

The toboggan can add a playful finish to the visit, while the cable car may appeal if you want to save energy for the wall itself. Neither is included in the basic price. If you skip both, the exact route and walking demands may depend on the scenic-area arrangements and your guide’s instructions.

The early departure is one of the better details of the day. Starting early can help you take photographs before the largest crowds arrive. It also gives you a better chance of enjoying the watchtowers without stopping constantly for other groups.

Guide Aria has been praised for her storytelling and warm approach. A guide matters at Mutianyu because the wall can otherwise become a string of stairs and viewpoints with little context. If you choose a package that includes an English-speaking guide, you can expect the historical setting to be explained as you go.

Wear shoes with a firm grip and bring water. The supplied details do not promise a particular walking route, so you should be ready for an active visit rather than a simple overlook.

Summer Palace, imperial gardens beside the lake

The second stop lasts about two hours and 30 minutes, with admission included. The Summer Palace, also called Yiheyuan, was a royal retreat for Qing emperors and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

This is a very different experience from Mutianyu. Instead of steep mountain paths, you find ornamental gardens, imperial buildings, and water views. I like the change of pace. After the wall, the Summer Palace lets you slow down and see how royal leisure was shaped around gardens, pavilions, and the lake.

Two and a half hours is useful but limited. You can get a clear sense of the main areas, yet the complex is large enough that you should not expect to see everything. Stay close to the group’s meeting instructions and listen carefully for the departure time. A missed bus would be a poor way to end an otherwise well-planned day.

A tour boat is available for an additional 100 RMB per person. This can offer a pleasant view from the water, but it reduces the time you have on foot. I would treat it as an optional comfort, not an essential part of the visit.

The Tower of Buddhist Incense is listed separately and is closed Mondays. The supplied details do not say whether access is included in your selected package, so ask before counting on it. This is a good example of why you should read the exact package description rather than assume every notable building is covered.

The Summer Palace is also where the pace may feel tightest. You have enough time for an introduction, photographs, and a walk through selected areas, but not for a relaxed exploration of every garden path.

Yuanmingyuan, a quieter and more thoughtful final stop

The Old Summer Palace, or Yuanmingyuan, receives about one hour and 30 minutes. It was once known as the Garden of Gardens and is presented here as a symbol of imperial grandeur, cultural heritage, and historical resilience.

I like placing this stop at the end. The Great Wall is dramatic, and the Summer Palace is graceful. Yuanmingyuan adds a more reflective note, helping you think about what survives, what disappears, and how a place can carry meaning beyond its buildings.

Ninety minutes is enough for a focused visit, but it is not generous. You will need to follow the guide’s route and avoid wandering too far from the group. The park’s scale means you should not expect to cover every section in this short slot.

A tour boat costs an additional 80 RMB per person. As with the Summer Palace boat, the choice is about time as much as money. If you want to walk and understand the site, keep your visit on land. If you prefer a less strenuous view, the boat may be worth considering if the schedule permits.

This final stop may appeal most to people who want more than famous photographs. It does not offer the same immediate excitement as the Great Wall, but it gives the day a useful historical weight.

What the $23 price really covers

At $23 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a full-day Beijing outing with transport and admission to three major sights. The value is strongest if your package includes the basic round-trip bus, entrance tickets, and the full schedule.

The included features list round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus, site admission, and a free shuttle bus within the scenic area. Those inclusions remove several small costs and make the base fare easy to understand.

Still, do not assume every package includes the same services. Hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, and buffet lunch are listed as included if that option is selected. The standard group arrangement has a maximum of 47 people and begins at Heping Xiqiao Station, Exit B northeast, in Chaoyang.

That distinction matters. If you are staying near the meeting point, the low price may be excellent. If you need hotel pickup, private transport, a guide, or lunch, compare the upgraded price before booking.

The buffet lunch option is worth considering for convenience. You do not have to search for food during a packed sightseeing day, and the buffet can include beer. It is not necessary for everyone, especially if you prefer choosing your own meal, but it can make the schedule easier.

Budget separately for the optional rides:

• Mutianyu cable car: 140 RMB per person
• Mutianyu toboggan: 140 RMB per person
• Summer Palace boat: 100 RMB per person
• Old Summer Palace boat: 80 RMB per person

Personal expenses are not included. The best value comes from treating these as choices, not required add-ons.

Bus travel, group size, and the pace of the day

The air-conditioned bus is a practical way to connect three spread-out sights. You avoid arranging separate taxis or learning several public transport routes, but you give up some control over the day.

A group of up to 47 people can feel large. Boarding takes time, and the guide must keep everyone moving. On the plus side, the early start and fixed route make it possible to visit all three locations in one day.

The meeting point is Heping Xiqiao Station B northeast exit. Hotel pickup is available only if the private tour option is selected, according to the supplied details. Confirm the exact pickup instructions and end point before booking, since the activity ends in a different location from the start.

The tour is listed as suitable for most people, but the schedule includes substantial walking at Mutianyu and plenty of time on your feet at the palaces. If you need a slower pace, ask about the private sightseeing or car options before choosing the standard group trip.

How to get the most from your day

I would prepare for this tour the night before. Keep your essentials easy to reach, arrive at the meeting point early, and confirm whether your booking includes lunch, a guide, and hotel pickup.

At Mutianyu, decide in advance how you feel about the cable car and toboggan. The options cost extra and can affect both your budget and your energy. If the wall is your priority, save enough time for walking and photographs rather than assuming the rides are part of the experience.

At the Summer Palace, listen for the return time. The site is large, and it is easy to follow an attractive path farther than planned. At Yuanmingyuan, accept that the visit is brief and focus on the main areas your guide presents.

Bring weather-appropriate clothing. The experience requires good weather and may be canceled if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so watch the local Beijing cut-off time.

Who should book this Beijing day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you have one free day, want the classic Beijing sights, and prefer a ready-made route over independent planning. It is also well suited to a short stay or a layover-style visit when three major stops matter more than a relaxed pace.

It is a good match for budget-conscious visitors who want admission and transport bundled together. The no-shopping format is another plus if you want the day focused on sightseeing rather than commercial stops.

I would hesitate if you dislike large groups, need hotel pickup but do not want the private option, or hope to explore every corner of both palace parks. The schedule is efficient, not leisurely.

Should you book BusDa’s full-day route?

Book this tour if your priorities are value, coverage, and a classic Beijing day out. Mutianyu receives enough time to feel worthwhile, the Summer Palace adds beauty and royal context, and Yuanmingyuan gives the day a more reflective finish.

Before paying, confirm the package details, especially guide service, lunch, hotel pickup, and private transport. Add the optional rides only if they suit your budget and energy.

For the right visitor, $23 is a strong starting price for three important sights and air-conditioned transport. Just remember that the low headline fare works best when you are comfortable with the group meeting point, the fixed schedule, and the extra cost of optional activities.

FAQ

How long does the BusDa full-day tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours. The planned visits include approximately three hours and 30 minutes at Mutianyu, two hours and 30 minutes at the Summer Palace, and one hour and 30 minutes at the Old Summer Palace.

Which sights are included in the tour?

The tour visits Mutianyu Great Wall, the Summer Palace, also called Yiheyuan, and the Old Summer Palace, also called Yuanmingyuan. Entrance tickets to the sites are included.

Is transportation included?

Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned bus is included. The standard meeting point is Heping Xiqiao Station, Exit B northeast. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available if you select the private tour option.

Is an English-speaking guide included?

An English-speaking guide is included if you select the package that offers one. Guide Aria has led this route with storytelling and a friendly approach.

Are the cable car and toboggan included?

No. The Mutianyu cable car costs 140 RMB per person, and the toboggan also costs 140 RMB per person. Both are optional.

Is lunch included?

Buffet lunch is included if you select the package that offers it. The buffet may include beer. Personal expenses are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you are offered another date or a full refund.