The Great Wall of China entrance fee varies by section and, more importantly, by what’s bundled around it. Here’s what I’d actually compare: not the bare gate price alone, but the full bundled ticket price, since transport and a guide usually matter more to your total cost than the entrance fee itself.
I’m building this table from the real, bookable products listed on this site rather than quoting a single official gate price that ignores how most visitors actually get there. If you want the fuller picture of ticket types beyond just the entrance fee, my Great Wall of China tickets guide covers entry-only, tour-inclusive and transport-inclusive options across every section.
Ready to see prices? Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Combo Tour, from $89 See times How Much Is the Entrance Fee at Each Section?
| Section | Bundled starting price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Mutianyu | $11.25 | Round-trip shuttle, entrance ticket, internal scenic shuttle |
| Badaling | $65.61 | Round-trip bullet train, entrance ticket, audio guide |
| Jinshanling | $59.40 | Transport, entrance fee, trekking poles, water |
I built this from the actual tour products on this site rather than a bare gate price quoted in isolation, since almost nobody visits without some form of transport bundled in. Mutianyu’s lower starting price reflects a shared shuttle rather than a cheaper entrance fee on its own; the underlying gate fees across these sections are closer together than the bundled prices suggest.
Why Does Mutianyu Cost Less Than Badaling?
Mostly because of the transport method, not the entrance fee itself. Badaling’s bundled ticket includes a bullet train ride, which costs more to operate than Mutianyu’s road shuttle, and the audio guide device adds a bit more on top. I’d book based on which section fits your trip, not chase the lower number, since both represent fair value once you factor in what each includes.
If budget is your main concern and the specific section doesn’t matter much to you, Mutianyu’s shuttle ticket is the better deal by a wide margin. My Mutianyu Great Wall tour guide covers exactly what that $11.25 buys you.
Want a closer look? Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Combo Tour, from $89 See timesIs the Jinshanling Entrance Fee Worth the Extra Cost?
I think so, if you’ve already decided Jinshanling’s wilder, quieter terrain is what you want. The $59.40 starting price covers transport from Beijing, which runs a longer distance than the Mutianyu or Badaling routes, plus trekking poles and water for the hike itself.
I wouldn’t pay this price just for the entrance fee alone if a standard sightseeing walk is really what you’re after. Jinshanling’s ticket bundles in the hiking-specific extras precisely because the section demands more of you physically than a paved walkway at Mutianyu.
Are Cable Car and Toboggan Rides Included in the Entrance Fee?
No, almost never. At Mutianyu, the cable car up and toboggan down cost roughly 140 RMB per person, paid directly on site rather than bundled into the base shuttle or entrance ticket. Badaling follows the same pattern, with an optional VIP fast-track cable car pass sold separately from the entrance fee.
I’d budget this as a genuine add-on rather than assuming it’s covered, since it’s one of the most common surprises I see mentioned by first-time visitors who assumed their ticket included everything on site.
Ready to see prices? Mutianyu Great Wall Tour from Beijing, from $11.25 See timesDo Children or Seniors Get a Discounted Entrance Fee?
Discounts vary by operator and aren’t consistently documented across every product on this site, so I’d check the specific booking’s terms before assuming a discount applies. What I can say with confidence from the tour data available is that children under a certain height often don’t need a separate ticket for add-ons like the toboggan slide at Mutianyu.
I’d contact the operator directly or check the booking page’s fine print if traveling with kids or seniors, rather than assuming a discount that may not exist on your specific product.
Want a closer look? Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Combo Tour, from $89 See timesWhich Entrance Fee Gives You the Best Value?
Mutianyu’s $11.25 bundled ticket, without much competition. It’s the cheapest option on this entire comparison and still includes a genuinely useful round-trip shuttle, the entrance fee, and access to a free visitor lounge with tea and luggage storage.
I would not call Badaling or Jinshanling overpriced by comparison; they’re simply paying for a different transport method or a longer, more involved hike. But if value for money is your main criterion, Mutianyu wins clearly.
Short on time? Great Wall Sunrise or Sunset Photoshoot, from $93.11 See timesMy Honest Recommendation
Compare the bundled price, not the bare gate fee, since almost every visitor needs transport anyway and the bundled products on this site handle both in one purchase. I’d book Mutianyu’s shuttle ticket for the best value, Badaling’s bullet train ticket if the classic view matters more than price, and Jinshanling’s hiking ticket only if you specifically want the wilder terrain.
For the full cost of a day trip beyond just the entrance fee, including food and optional add-ons, my how much a trip to the Great Wall of China costs breaks every line item down. For the ticket types that wrap around these entrance fees, my Great Wall of China tickets guide covers the bigger picture.
Ready to see prices? Mutianyu Great Wall Tour from Beijing, from $11.25 See timesFrequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest Great Wall of China entrance fee?
Mutianyu’s bundled ticket, starting from $11.25, is the cheapest bundled option across the sections covered on this site, and it includes round-trip transport as well as the entrance fee itself.
Is the Badaling entrance fee more expensive than Mutianyu?
Yes. Badaling’s bundled ticket starts from $65.61 because it includes a bullet train ride, not because the bare gate fee is dramatically higher than Mutianyu’s.
Does the entrance fee include the cable car?
No. Cable car and toboggan rides are paid separately on site at both Mutianyu and Badaling, typically around 140 RMB per person.
Can I pay the entrance fee at the gate instead of booking online?
At most sections, yes, but I’d book online in advance regardless, since it secures your time slot and avoids a line that eats into your limited time on the wall.
Why does Jinshanling cost more than Mutianyu despite being less crowded?
The price reflects the longer transport distance and hiking-specific extras like trekking poles, not the entrance fee alone. I’d think of it as paying for a different kind of day, not a worse deal.
Want a closer look? Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Combo Tour, from $89 See times