Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the best-preserved and best-known Great Wall sections. Located 65 kilometers (40 miles) to the north of Beijing city proper, the Great Wall at Mutianyu has breath-taking scenery but fewer tourists, thus a good destination on hot holidays for a Great Wall tour at ease.
 

Why Visit Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall It is one of the best-preserved sections.

 Watchtowers are densely distributed along the Great Wall.

 Some of the watchtowers are seldom seen along other sections and are quite rare in the architectural history of the Great Wall. Examples are the Zhengguan Terrace (No. 6 Watchtower) comprised of three hollow watchtowers, and Big Corner Tower (No. 1 Watchtower), named so because only one big corner can be seen from the paths in three sides.

 The surrounding natural scenery is breath-taking. Woods cover over ninety-six percent of the total scenic area. Flowers bloom all over the mountains in spring. Grasses dress the hillside green in summer. Trees are laden with sweet fruit in autumn, and especially in October, leaves turn red or yellow, touching the mountain tops with gold. In winter, the wall is covered by snow, making it more magnificent.

 About 65 kilometers (40 miles) to the north of Beijing city center, it is easy to reach from downtown area by public transport.

 It has been renovated, making it easier and safer to climb. Moreover, it is equipped with a cableway and luge, possible for children and seniors to visit.

Basic Facts of Mutianyu Great Wall

 It has a total length of 5,400 meters (5,900 yards).

 It was first built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550-557). In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, two famous patriotic generals, rebuilt it in order to strengthen its defensive potential when they guarded the strategic pass. It served as the northern protective screen, guarding the capital and imperial mausoleums for generations.

 It is mainly made of slabs of granite. It measures 7 - 8 meters (23 - 26 feet) in height, and 4 - 5 meters (4.4 - 5.5 yards) in width.

 Both sides of the Great Wall have parapets to defend against enemies. Some parapets are saw-tooth shaped instead of the regular rectangular form. Below the parapets, there are square embrasures, the top of which are designed in an arc structure, different from the traditional round embrasures.

 There are 23 watchtowers distributed at close intervals along the wall. They are located not only on the main wall but also at the distinctive "branch city". Branch cities are built on the hill ridge against the inner or outer side of the wall. For example, No. 11 Watchtower can be found on the branch wall.

 Zhengguan Terrace (No. 6 Watchtower) is 40 meters (44 yards) long, 30 meters (33 yards) wide, and 20 meters (66 feet) high. The gate is not designed in the middle, but is on the eastern side. The two-storey terrace is comprised of three hollow watchtowers, a large one in the middle and two smaller ones on two sides. It has many rooms to store grain and station troops.

 Big Corner Tower (No. 1 Watchtower) is connected with Mutianyu in the west, with Gubeikou in the east, and with a branch city wall in the south. The tower looks like a corner from each angle, so it is called Big Corner Tower.

 
Opening Hours In summer: 7:00 - 17:00; 17:00 - 21:00
In winter: 9:00 - 16:30
Note: Ticket sale stops one hour before the close time.
Admission Fee Adults: CNY 40
The seniors over 60 and Children aged 6-18: CNY 20 (valid passport required)
Free for children under 6
Note: If you buy an entrance ticket attached with a postcard of Mutianyu, you need to pay CNY 5 more.

 
 

How to tour Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall Map
Mutianyu Great Wall Map


The scenic area has two entrances: the south entrance and north entrance. One can start the visit from either of them.
 

Hiking:

 Go through the North Entrance, you will hike up to No. 10 or No. 8 Watchtower.
 Go through the South Entrance, and you will arrive at No. 8 or Zhengguan Terrace (No. 6 Watchtower).
 Upon arriving up there, you can hike either northward or southward. The northward route between No. 14 watchtower and No. 23 watchtower has the most beautiful scenery, while the southward route contains the grand Zhengguan Terrace and Big Corner Tower.

See more: 6 Things to Do on Mutianyu Great Wall of China 
 

Mutianyu Great Wall
Magnificent Mutianyu
 

Cable Car:

Apart from hiking, you may also take a cable car up to the No. 14 Watchtower. The lower station is near the North Entrance, so you can easily find it. It is safer and smoother than toboggan, even suitable for children and senior visitors.
Single Trip CNY 100
Round Trip   CNY 140
Service Hours Monday-Friday: 07:30-17:00; Weekends: 07:30-17:30
Note: Children under 1.2 meters (3.9ft) enjoy free tickets.
 

Chairlift / Toboggan:

You can also take the toboggan down from Zhengguan Terrace (No. 6 Watchtower) near the South Entrance. It is very exciting to take toboggan, and a great choice for young people. The fare is listed below.

Single Trip CNY 100 
Round Trip  CNY 140
Service Hours Mar. 16 - Nov. 14: 8:00 - 17:00
Nov. 15 - Mar. 15: 8:30 - 16:30
Note: Children under 1.2 meters (3.9ft) enjoy free tickets.
 
Chairlift, Mutianyu Great Wall
Chairlift
Slideway, Mutianyu Great Wall
Toboggan

See more Visiting Mutianyu Great Wall: Toboggan, Cable Car, or Chairlift?
 

When is the Best Time for a Visit?

Although it is suitable for a visit all year round, the best time is April, May, September, and October, when the temperature is favorable, neither too cold nor too hot. But try to avoid May Day Holiday (from May 1st to 3rd), and National Day Holiday (from October 1st to 7th) when there will be more tourists.

 See more: Mutianyu Weather

Mutianyu Great Wall
Colorful Autumn Scenery
Mutianyu Great Wall in Winter
Winter can be beautiful but it is chilly for a visit

How to Get to Mutianyu from Your Hotel in Beijing


 Option 1: Dongzhimen Tourist Bus Line
Departure: 8:30 at Outside Dongzhimen bus station; 16:00 from Mutianyu
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
Interval: one departure per day 
Ticket: CNY30 for a single trip

 Option 2: Qianmen Tourist Bus Line
Departure: 6:30 - 10:00 from Qianmen; 13:00 - 16:00 from Mutianyu
Duration: 2 hours
Interval: set off when all seats are taken
Ticket: CNY60 for a roun d trip

 Option 3: Sihui Tourist Bus Line
Departure: 8:00 from Sihui Bus Station; 14:50 from Mutianyu Great Wall
Duration: 2 hours
Interval: one departure per day
Ticket: CNY60 for a round trip

Option 4: Bus line 916 Express + h23, h24, h35 or h36
Departure: 916 Express: 05:50 - 20:00  from Dongzhimen; 04:30 - 18:50 from Huairou North Avenue
Duration: 2 - 2.5 hours
Interval: 916 Express: 10-30 minutes; the H buses are many.
Ticket: CNY16

Read More: How to Get to Mutianyu from Downtown Beijing

Interior of a Watchtower
Interior of a Watchtower
Discarded cannon at Mutianyu
Discarded Cannon
 

Where to Eat

There are some restaurants near the entrance, but the food they provide is quite expensive. So, you may bring some food and water before departure.
 
They are the two most visited sections in consideration of the scenery, equipment, and transportation. If you plan a visit on normal days, both of them are okay. When you plan a visit during peak travel season, Mutianyu is recommended, for Badaling may be overcrowded on some big holidays and you probably cannot enjoy the scenery to the full.
 

You May Like:

Mutianyu Great Wall Travel Review

Great Wall of China in Huairou, Beijing 

Which Section of Great Wall to Visit 

6 Best Places to See Great Wall of China

Top 10 Places to Visit in Beijing

Where to Go in Beijing in Spring - Top 10 Destinations

8 Most Beautiful Places in Beijing in Autumn

12 Best Places to Visit near Beijing

- Last updated on Jan. 07, 2024 by Brenda Lian -
Questions & Answers on Mutianyu Great Wall
Asked by Casey from CANADA | Mar. 03, 2024 15:04Reply
Toboggan ticket
Where can I book this ticket from?
Answers (1)
Answered by Andrew | Mar. 03, 2024 18:41
00Reply


The online booking is only available on Chinese websites so you can only buy it at the site.
Asked by Rebecca from THE NETHERLANDS | Jan. 07, 2024 04:08Reply
Ticket Mutianyu + single ticket toggoban
Can I buy a ticket for Mutianyu online and when I'm there I buy a single ticket for the toggoban? Or is it better to buy all in one at Mutianyu?
Answers (1)
Answered by Gloria | Jan. 09, 2024 18:15
00Reply


Hi, it is possible to book a ticket online and then buy toboggan ticket at the spot. Booking in advance is more recommended as it saves your time to queue up.
Asked by Bogdanka from SWITZERLAND | Nov. 20, 2023 03:24Reply
How to book the mongolian train from Bejjing to Oulaanbaatar in Mongolia ?
HI there, I would like to travel from Bejjing to Oulaanbaatar on 6th of february 2024. I was looking to find train tickets online but coulnd't find it. Any chance you can direct me or are you managing bookings as well ? Are trains still going to Mongolia from Bejjing ? (as I found some informations that it's been paused due to covid, but Covid is gone now, isn't it ?) thank you so much for your help.
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Nov. 21, 2023 18:49
00Reply


As I know, the train has not resumed yet.
Asked by sona from SLOVAKIA | Oct. 25, 2023 00:52Reply
How to Get to Mutianyu Great wall from capital airport and back? (the fastest and cheapest way)
Answers (1)
Answered by Emily | Oct. 25, 2023 02:35
00Reply


The cheapest and fastest way is to take Airport Express from the airport to Dongzhimen and then take Mutianyu Special Line from there to the Great Wall. It only takes about 2.5 hours and costs CNY 65 for a single journey. However, the Mutainyu Special Line only departs at 8:30 and 12:00.
Asked by Eiw from THAILAND | Sep. 09, 2023 23:47Reply
How to go Mutianyu Great Wall
1. Compare between Mutianyu tourist bus vs Dongzhimen Tourist Bus Line, which one is most convenient?
As I understand from your info , Mutianyu bus located near exit E of MRT Dongzhimen station while we need to walk a little to Dongzhimen bus station to transfer Dongzhimen Bus line. Do I understand correctly?
2. Both bus line are directly to Mutianyu great wall and ticket office, correct? No need to connect any...
3. Do both bus operate everyday or weekend only?
4. Do I need to reserve the ticket before arrival date? If yes how and where/ or It can be walk in at that day?
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Sep. 11, 2023 23:37
00Reply


1. What do you mean by Mutianyu tourist bus? As I know, the direct tourist buses to Mutianyu departing from Dongzhimen at 08:30 at weekends and from Qianmen at 07:30, 08:30, 09:30 and 10:30 every day. The former depart from near Dongzhimen metro station and the latter depart from Qianmen Tourist Distributing Center near the northern end of Qianmen Street.
2. Yes, they are direct buses and no transfer is needed.
3. See above.
4. You can purchase tickets at the spot on the visit day. For those departing from Qianmen, you can also reserve a ticket in advance from its official WeChat account.
Ask a Question
Question Summary (100 characters)
Details (optional) (2,000 characters)
NameCountryEmail