Beijing Layover Guide

Buffer logic

Allow at least 1 hour after landing before pickup (immigration, bags). Allow at least 3 hours before your next departure for return, check-in, and security. International flights: 3.5–4 hours is safer. Whatever is left in between is your usable layover time; the drive to Mutianyu and back eats most of it, so 8–10 hours minimum layover is realistic for a Wall trip.

Common failure modes

• Assuming you can leave the airport without checking visa/transit rules
• Underestimating immigration and transfer time at PEK/PKX
• Booking a tour that doesn’t build in a firm return-to-airport cutoff

Sample windows

Example: Land 06:00, next flight 20:00. After 1h buffer and 3h before departure, you have roughly 10 hours. That’s enough for a Mutianyu layover tour with pickup around 08:00 and return by 17:00. Land 12:00, next flight 18:00: only ~3 hours usable—not enough for the Wall; consider a short city stop or stay in the airport.