Do public buses to Mutianyu still leave from Xizhimen Metro station? If so, which bus makes this trip?

Thanks so much.

You can take Bus 916 from Dongzhimen and get off at Mingzhu Guangchang(Mingzhu Square)and then take a cab to the entrance of Mutianyu Great Wall.

Alternatively, tourist bus 1 runs Sats, Suns and public holidays mid-April to mid-October from the southwest corner of Ti?n’?n Mén Square and from Xu?nw? Mén, with departures 6.30–8.30, ¥100 including entrance fees and a stop at Hóngluó Sì (Red Snail Temple) on the return.

google "beijing scams" to see the one about people looking for the busstop to the great wall at T. Square.

Beware of anyone trying to help you buy a ticket on a bus that has a calendar of the great wall in the window.

Images2.. how are you?

You might also want to take a look at my son's episode "Happy ending to the Beijing tea Scam!".

Have a great trip. Good to see you posting again!

Sad to say, in general you should avoid anyone trying to 'help' you in central Beijing, or at least assume them to have other motives until proven otherwise.

The main departure point for buses to Mutianyu (and elsewhere) is, however, the only thing of its kind at the southwest corner of Tian'an Men, has a walk-in ticket office with multiple counters, an English sign outside, and is big enough to be seen on Google Earth.

I see that not only can the site not handle Chinese characters now, but not even tone-marked pinyin. The words above should have been Tian'an Men and Xuanwu Men.

We'll be going to the wall mid week, so we can't use the weekend bus from Tian'an Men, but thanks for that tip. We'll use the 916 from Dongzhimen. I've changed our hotel from the Spring Garden, which I wasn't thrilled with the location to a courtyard guesthouse 1 block from Dongdan Metro. Seems like a great location to me!

I read your account of your son's tea scam Linda. What a bad experience. I'm thrilled to see that it turned out so well! Is he still traveling?

I'm doing fine, but so busy with unexpected events this winter. Monday my son in law had outpatient surgery, did fine, came home, then Wednesday a.m. had a very high fever, swelling and intense pain. He's been in the hospital for 3 days now, so I'm watching their 3 children, one in kindergarten so I'm running busy now. He's still having a really tough time and is on antibiodics by IV. Good news with our daughter in Chicago, who is due anytime to deliver a son! She had a real scare in early January with her pregnancy, so we're very thankful it's worked out. It'll be back up there for me when he's born.

Hard finding time to plan this China trip, but it's coming along! Did your mother make it to Spain? Hope so, there are some great fares right now.

Thanks everyone so much for your help.