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

Mutianyu is the star here: a quieter, beautifully restored section of the Great Wall with mountain views and a full three and a half hours to explore. You can walk the battlements, use the cable car, or add a toboggan ride. It is a strong choice if you want the wall without spending your whole Beijing visit on transport.

I like the low $23 price and the fact that the tour covers three major sights without a shopping stop. I also like the early departure, which can mean cooler weather and cleaner photos. The tradeoff is a long day with a large group, up to 47 people, and several optional costs that can quickly raise the final bill.

Key points to know before booking

• Three major sights in one day: Mutianyu, the Summer Palace, and Yuanmingyuan are all included.
• Mutianyu gets the most time: You have about 3 hours and 30 minutes at the Great Wall.
• A no-shopping format: The day is built around sightseeing rather than sales stops.
• Optional extras cost more: Cable car or toboggan rides are listed at 140 RMB each, while boat rides cost extra.
• Aria is one guide to look for: She is praised for clear storytelling and a friendly manner.
• Good value, but check the option you book: Hotel pickup, a guide, and buffet lunch depend on the package selected.

A full Beijing day built around Mutianyu

This BusDa excursion packs three of Beijing’s best-known sights into roughly 10 hours. That makes it useful for a first visit, a short stay, or a layover-style sightseeing day when you want to see more than one imperial site without arranging several separate trips.

The order matters. You begin at Mutianyu, when the day is still young, then move back into the city for the Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan. The Great Wall is the physically demanding part, so tackling it first is sensible. By the time you reach the gardens, you can slow down and spend more time looking rather than climbing.

The tour runs by air-conditioned bus. The standard meeting point is Heping Xiqiao Station, Exit B northeast, at the listed location in Chaoyang. Pickup and drop-off are available with selected private options, so check your exact package rather than assuming a hotel pickup is included.

A maximum of 47 people makes this a proper group tour, not a quiet private outing. That keeps the price low, but it also means you should expect group pacing and some waiting when people gather at meeting points.

Mutianyu for three and a half hours

Mutianyu is a sensible choice for your Great Wall visit. It is known for restored watchtowers, mountain scenery, and a calmer feel than the most crowded sections near Beijing. You get about 3 hours and 30 minutes here, with admission included.

That time gives you room to do more than take a quick photo and leave. You can walk along the wall, stop at watchtowers, and look across the surrounding mountains. The exact amount of walking depends on how far you go and whether you choose the cable car.

The wall is not flat. Even with the restored stonework, you should expect steps and uneven walking. Comfortable shoes matter more than stylish ones here. Bring water and keep some energy for the return route, particularly if you plan to explore several watchtowers.

The early start is one of the practical strengths of this trip. Mutianyu is generally more pleasant before the biggest crowds and strongest midday heat. One review specifically praised the early departure for better photographs, and that advice makes sense. Your best views may come before the rest of the day becomes busy.

Cable car or toboggan?

The cable car and toboggan ride are optional. The listed price is 140 RMB per person for the cable car and 140 RMB per person for the toboggan. Treat these as separate budget decisions, not included features.

The cable car can save energy and time, especially if you want to reach the wall without making the full climb. It is worth considering if your main goal is to walk the battlements rather than spend your strength getting up to them.

The toboggan adds a playful finish, but it is not necessary for a worthwhile Mutianyu visit. If you want the lowest possible cost, skip both and keep your focus on the wall itself. Also confirm the price before paying. One unhappy experience involved confusion about cable car charges, so clarity at the start is important.

Summer Palace: imperial gardens beside Kunming Lake

The second stop gives you about 2 hours and 30 minutes at the Summer Palace, also called Yiheyuan. Admission is included. This former Qing imperial retreat is best known for its gardens, halls, long covered walkways, and views around Kunming Lake.

After the steep steps and open mountain air at Mutianyu, the Summer Palace feels like a change of rhythm. Here you can look at the relationship between water, pavilions, paths, and royal buildings. The appeal is not one single structure. It is the way the entire retreat was planned for views, shade, ceremony, and leisure.

Two and a half hours is enough for a useful introduction, but not enough to inspect every corner of the grounds. Keep an eye on the guide and meeting instructions so you do not lose time. Large imperial garden sites can make a group feel spread out quickly.

A tour boat is available for an additional 100 RMB per person. It may offer a restful way to see the water and surrounding buildings, but it uses part of your limited stop. I would choose it only if you prefer a slower visit or want a break from walking.

The Tower of Buddhist Incense is listed separately and is closed on Mondays. The supplied details do not list a price for it, so ask your guide or confirm the selected option if this tower is important to you. Do not build your entire Summer Palace plan around reaching it on a Monday.

Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace

The final stop is Yuanmingyuan, or the Old Summer Palace, with about 1 hour and 30 minutes on site. This is a different experience from the Summer Palace. Instead of presenting a largely preserved imperial retreat, it points to the loss and destruction of a famous former complex.

Yuanmingyuan was once known as the Garden of Gardens. Today, its value comes partly from the contrast between past grandeur and the remains that survive. The visit can feel quieter and more reflective than the polished sections of the Summer Palace.

Ninety minutes is enough to understand the basic story and see selected areas, but it is a short visit for such a large park. You will need to follow the group schedule and accept that you cannot cover everything. That limitation is worth knowing before booking, especially if Yuanmingyuan is your main reason for coming.

A tour boat is listed at 80 RMB per person. As with the Summer Palace boat, the ride is optional and adds to the cost. With only an hour and a half at the site, I would first make sure you have seen the areas your guide considers most important.

What the $23 price really covers

At $23 per person, this is unusually inexpensive for a full day that includes transportation and entrance tickets to three major sights. The value is strongest if you want the basic sightseeing package and are happy to travel in a group.

The included air-conditioned bus removes the need to arrange separate transport between Mutianyu and the two palace sites. That matters in Beijing, where distance and traffic can make an ambitious day difficult to organize on your own.

The price does not cover every feature. Cable cars, toboggan rides, and both boat rides cost extra. A buffet lunch is included only if you select the appropriate option. An English-speaking guide is also listed as included if that option is selected, so read the package details carefully before paying.

Some options are described as private tours or car tours, while this standard experience has a group limit of 47 people. Private transport may offer a different level of flexibility and a different price. Do not compare the $23 rate with a private package as if they provide the same day.

For the lowest-cost plan, you could take the bus, use the included admissions, skip all optional rides, and bring or arrange your own food unless your booking includes lunch. If you want the buffet, select it in advance rather than assuming it comes with every fare.

Lunch, guides, and the feel of the day

The buffet option deserves a mention because it can make a long schedule easier. One review specifically noted that the buffet included beer. That is a pleasant extra after a morning at the wall, though lunch is not part of every package.

The guide can shape the day. Aria is praised for friendly storytelling, which is useful on a trip containing three sites with very different meanings. At the Great Wall, a good guide can help you understand the watchtowers and route. At the palaces, the explanation helps connect buildings and gardens to imperial life and later events.

The tour also received a strong overall rating of 4.9 from 62 reviews, with 98 percent recommended. Those numbers suggest a generally dependable experience, but they do not erase the need to check your chosen package. One booking problem resulted in a last-minute replacement that covered only the Great Wall rather than the planned palace visits. That is a serious concern because the three-site structure is the main reason to book.

Confirm the exact tour name, inclusions, pickup arrangement, and optional charges before the cancellation deadline. It is much easier to resolve a mismatch before departure than after you are already on the bus.

Who will get the most from this trip?

I would choose this tour if you have limited time in Beijing and want the broadest possible introduction to the Great Wall and imperial gardens in one day. It is especially useful if arranging Mutianyu transport feels like a hassle.

It also suits people who want a no-shopping day. The schedule is built around landmarks rather than factory or store visits, so your time is directed toward the three named sights.

This is a good fit for active sightseers who can handle a long day, several hours on foot, and a group timetable. Families and first-time visitors may appreciate the simple structure, provided everyone is comfortable with the walking at Mutianyu.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, deeply detailed visit at each site. The Summer Palace and Yuanmingyuan stops are useful introductions, but they are not long enough to cover every major corner. A private tour or separate visits would give you more control.

The group size is another consideration. Up to 47 people is manageable for a low-cost bus excursion, but it can mean slower departures and less freedom to linger. If your ideal day includes quiet exploration and flexible meal breaks, pay more for a smaller or private arrangement.

Practical planning for the 10-hour schedule

Wear shoes suited to steps and uneven paths. Mutianyu is the main physical challenge, but the two palace parks also involve plenty of walking.

Keep your personal spending plan simple. At minimum, decide in advance if you might want the cable car, toboggan, or boat rides. The listed optional prices are 140 RMB for the cable car, 140 RMB for the toboggan, 100 RMB for the Summer Palace boat, and 80 RMB for the Old Summer Palace boat.

Ask which attractions are open on your date. The Tower of Buddhist Incense is closed on Mondays, and that may affect your expectations at the Summer Palace.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

The standard meeting point is near public transportation, at Heping Xiqiao Station, Exit B northeast. The end point is different, so check the final drop-off details before arranging an evening reservation.

Should you book BusDa’s Beijing day tour?

Book it if you want maximum sightseeing for a low price, especially on a first Beijing visit or a short stop. Mutianyu receives a generous amount of time, the three admissions are included, and the early departure can improve the wall experience.

Book with caution if the palace visits are essential. Verify your package, guide, transport, lunch, and included stops before departure. The reported last-minute replacement shows why those details matter.

I would skip it in favor of a private tour if you dislike group schedules, want extensive time at Yuanmingyuan, or need a hotel pickup with guaranteed flexibility. For everyone else, this is a practical, ambitious day that gives you a clear taste of Beijing’s wall, imperial gardens, and complicated past without a shopping detour.

FAQ

How long does the BusDa tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

Which attractions are included?

The route includes Mutianyu Great Wall, the Summer Palace, and the Old Summer Palace, also called Yuanmingyuan.

How much time is spent at Mutianyu?

The scheduled visit to Mutianyu lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Are entrance tickets included?

Yes. Entrance tickets to the listed sites are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you select the private tour option that offers them. The standard meeting point is Heping Xiqiao Station, Exit B northeast.

Are cable cars and toboggan rides included?

No. The listed optional price is 140 RMB per person for the cable car and 140 RMB per person for the toboggan.

Is lunch included?

A buffet lunch is included only if you select the option that includes it.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of bad weather?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.