As summer vacation arrives, Mutianyu Great Wall — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a globally celebrated benchmark for inbound tourism — officially kicks off its 2026 summer all-day tourism season. Running from June 25 to August 31, the scenic area merges two distinct visiting experiences: classic daytime sightseeing and an immersive nighttime light tour. By extending daily visiting hours and enriching cultural offerings across a full-day product portfolio, the destination aims to fuel summer tourism demand and further elevate China's Great Wall as a world-class cultural landmark.
Daytime
Panoramic Views Where History Meets Modernity
During the peak summer season, Mutianyu maintains standard peak-hour daytime operations with extended opening hours, catering to a diverse mix of visitors — study tour groups, families, inbound sightseeing groups, and travel agency packages alike. By day, the Great Wall meanders through rolling, forest-cloaked mountains. Hiking to the vantage points, visitors are treated to sweeping views of endless green ridges, absorbing the Great Wall's monumental historical grandeur and the majesty of the surrounding landscape.
A special performance, "The Spirit of the Great Wall · Qi's Army," is staged at the service area plaza. Blending drama, martial arts, military drills, and a demonstration of the famed "Mandarin Duck Formation," the show recreates the frontier garrison spirit of General Qi Jiguang's legendary army. A giant mecha parade also adds a futuristic twist to the general's patrol scenes, inviting visitors to interact and take photos up close.
NPC interaction points are dotted along the route, featuring poetry quizzes and puzzle challenges that make learning about the Great Wall's history and culture an engaging, playful experience. Meanwhile, the XR film "Dragon Soaring Across Ten Thousand Miles" takes visitors on a time-traveling journey through the Great Wall's past and present — interacting with ancient soldiers and soaring over Mutianyu across all four seasons.
Complete with a beer garden, specialty buffet dining, and a cultural & creative shopping street, the scenic area offers a one-stop solution for dining, shopping, educational tours, and relaxation — ideal for a full, in-depth daytime visit.
Nighttime
Starlit Skies and Light-Infused Storytelling
To address the challenge of sweltering daytime heat and extend the tourism value chain, the scenic area launches its exclusive summer night Great Wall program from June 25 to August 31, opening the prime watchtower stretch from No. 10 Watchtower to No. 15 Watchtower. The result is a seamless all-day itinerary: hiking and sightseeing by day, sunset viewing at dusk, and a luminous encounter after dark.
Unlike daytime sightseeing, the summer night tour delivers a distinctly cool, relaxed experience. Mountain breezes soften the summer heat, and visitor flow is far gentler — a welcome escape from the daytime crowds. Visitors can ride the cable car with unlimited round trips to ascend effortlessly and savor the sunset as it bathes the mountains in golden light.
After dark, Mutianyu Great Wall transforms into a canvas of light and shadow. Laser shows and interactive projections on the watchtowers trace the wall's silhouette, creating a deeply atmospheric nighttime spectacle.
The exclusive nighttime performance, "Peaceful Lands · Qi's Army," features flag-formation martial dances and live monologues that evoke the soldiers' unwavering dedication to guarding the frontier; palace lantern dances and traditional Chinese melodies paint a picture of prosperous, peaceful times. Set against the illuminated Great Wall, visitors come to grasp the profound meaning of the wall as a symbol of protection.
The scenic area also hosts a Starry Sky Study tour, offering teenagers nighttime stargazing sessions and Great Wall history workshops — adding an educational dimension to family night tours.
After the night tour, there's no need to rush back. Guests can stay at the on-site Great Wall Hotel, nestled peacefully in the mountains, and wake early the next morning to beat the crowds and witness the breathtaking sunrise over an empty, majestic Great Wall.
Premium International Services for Global Visitors
This new day-and-night touring model is also tailored to the preferences of international travelers. Mutianyu — boasting a stellar overseas reputation and consecutive Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice awards — is the top landmark for international visitors seeking to experience Great Wall culture. The extended daytime itinerary allows global guests to fully explore the wall's original 风貌；the serene nighttime atmosphere and distinctive light shows align perfectly with international travelers' appetite for in-depth, off-the-beaten-path experiences and unhurried leisure.
The scenic area has also upgraded multilingual services, streamlined online booking, and enhanced tax-refund services for overseas visitors. For international payments, a partnership with Visa has created an international-friendly payment zone with camera scan-to-pay functionality — comprehensively elevating the inbound tourism experience and supporting Beijing's inbound tourism growth.
Looking ahead, Mutianyu Great Wall will continue refining its day-and-night product lineup, integrating daytime cultural experiences with nighttime leisure offerings, and iterating on signature programs including performances, study tours, and customized visits. The thousand-year-old Great Wall will have something to offer around the clock — delivering an entirely new Great Wall experience for every visitor.
