Located in Huairou County about 45 miles from Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China. It connects Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. The wall was first built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557). In 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.
Mutianyu Great Wall winds 1.4 miles through lofty mountains and high ridges, many sections of which are made of granite. The unique structure makes the wall almost indestructible. It measures 23 to 26 feet high and four to five yards wide. Both of the wall's inner and outer sides have parapets to defend against enemies coming from the two sides. 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 22 watch towers distributed at close intervals along the wall. They are located not only in the main wall but also at the distinctive 'branch cities'. Branch cities are built on the hill ridge against the inner or outer side of the wall. They measure from several yards to dozens of yards across. On the northwest over 3,281-feet hills, lies a section of the wall called 'Ox Horn Edge'. On the steep and lofty peaks, there are two walls named 'Flying Eagle Flies Facing Upward' and 'Arrow Lock'. What is more rarely seen on the southeast side is a general gateway platform guarded by three watch towers together. In locations of strategic importance, batteries are set up to reinforce the defense capabilities. Mutianyu Great Wall really deserves to be the archetype of the ten thousand li Great Wall.
Besides its strategically important location and compact layout, the Mutianyu Great Wall is also famous for the breath-takingly beautiful scenery. Woods cover over ninety-six percent of the total scenic area. The wall presents different aspects of beauty in the four seasons. Flowers bloom all over the mountains in spring. 
Grasses dress the hillside green in summer. Trees are laden with sweet fruits in autumn, and especially in October, leaves are turning red or yellow, touching the mountain tops with gold. In winter, the wall is covered by snow, making it seem more magnificent. The pine trees around Mutianyu Great Wall are well-known. There are more than 20 pines over 300 years old and about 200 pines over 100 year old. Besides, spring water at the foot of the wall tastes pure and fragrant, much appreciated by visitors.
What's more, the national first-rate cable car is installed in Mutianyu Great Wall. A sled named 'Speed' will give you an opportunity to experience thrills by taking you swoop down from the high mountains. China Stone City collects weird and beautiful stones, attracting more and more visitors to come and see.
| Admission Fee | CNY 40 |
| Cable Fee (Optional) | Single Trip: CNY 35; Round Trip: CNY 50 |
| Slideway Fee (Optional) | CNY 55 |
| Opening Hours | 8:00-16:00 |
| Best Season to Enjoy the Beautiful Leaves | Oct.16 - 30 |
Mutianyu Travel Tips
Mutianyu Great Wall Transportation
By Bus
a. Take the Tourist Bus No.6 at Xuanwumen or Dong Si Shi Tiao on Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays. The round trip ticket costs CNY 50. Departure time: 07:00 – 10:00 (April - October)
b. Take No.916 or No.936 bus at Dongzhimen and get off at Mingzhu Guangchang, and take a mini-bus to Mutianyu Great Wall.
By Train
During the "Golden Week" of National Day, visitors can take a tourist train at Beijing North Railway Station at 07:10 and get off at Beizhai Railway Station, and take a minibus to Mutianyu Great Wall, and get back by taking the tourist train at Beizhai Railway Station at 16:00.
Drive Travel
Start from Airport Expressway – Beigao Exit – Jing Shun Lu – Turn left at Kaifang Huandao – Go from the fourth exit – Drive along Bei Huan Dao on Ying Bin Lu – Drive along Bei Huan Dao on Qing Chun Lu – Mutianyu Great Wall (The signs along the road will guide you to find the way)
Mutianyu Dining & Accommodation
If you have more time to spare in Mutianyu Great Wall scenic area, the farmhouses around the wall are worth visiting for an authentic experience of rustic life.
Fu Gui Hong Farmhouse
Chinese name: 富贵宏农家院 (fù guì hóng nóng jiā yuàn)
Location: Xisan Minsu Village, at the foot of Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou District
Special dishes: braised donkey hoof in brown sauce, braised donkey legs in brown sauce, wild herbs, rainbow trout, braised chicken with mushrooms, millet gruel, polenta, cornmeal dumpling with vegetable stuffings and barbecues
Accommodation: Nine guest rooms to accommodate 20 guests: CNY 40 for ordinary room and CNY 50 for standard room. CNY 60 for heated brick bed. (Low season price); Establishment in room: TV, air conditioner, public lavatory
Entertainment: Mutianyu Great Wall sightseeing, Karaoke, Chesses & Cards, Mahjong and Picking
Surrounding scenic sites: Mutianyu Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Great Wall, Xiangshui Lake, Hongluo Temple, Shengquan Temple and Huiyuan Valley
Bao Sheng Ren Jia Farmhouse
Chinese name: 宝生人家农家院 (Bǎo Shēng Rén Jiā Nóng Jiā Yuàn)
Location: Xisan Minsu Village, at the foot of Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou District
Special dishes: stewed black bone chicken, stewed meat with chestnuts, sauce stuffed meat in eggplant, homemade bean curd with meat, scrambled egg, handmade noodle, congee with pork and preserved eggs, oil-fried handmade noodle and nourishing congees
Drinks: chrysanthemum tea, juice of wild dates and apple vinegar
Entertainment: Bonfire, Karaoke, Chesses & Cards, Mahjong, Picking, Flying Kites, Playing on the Swing and Playing Badminton
Accommodation: Ten guestrooms to accommodate 25 guests. CNY 50 to CNY80 for standard room; CNY 100 to CNY 120 for luxury room, CNY 60 for heated brick bed; Establishment in the room: TV, air conditioner, 24-hour hot water and toilet.
Surrounding scenic sites: Mutianyu Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Great Wall, Xiangshui Lake and Shengquan Temple
Great Wall Villa
Chinese name: 长城山庄 (Cháng Chéng Shān Zhuāng)
Location: 1000 meters to the right of Mutianyu Huandao, at the foot of Mutianyu Great Wall
Accommodation: Over 40 guest rooms to accommodate about 100 guests; All the rooms are equipped with TV, Air conditioner, telephone, toilet, carpet and 24-hour hot water; The advanced sauna equipments introduced from Finland help guests release pressure.
Dining: The restaurant in the villa can hold 100 people to dine at the same time. It mainly serves Sichuan and Shandong cuisines and traditional peasant's food.
Master Fish Restaurant
Chinese name: 鱼师傅餐厅 (Yú Shī Fu Cān Tīng)
How to get there: Drive along Jingmi Lu from Dongzhimen in Beijing, keep going until you reach Qingchun Lu Huandao, choose the direction to Mutianyu Great Wall and you will find it. (The signs along the road will help you find the way)
Due to special location, cool and clear springs, Huairou District is fertile in the production of trouts. Master Fish Restaurant is a good place to taste the delicious trouts. There are over 20 cooking ways of trouts, including uncooked, fried, steamed and stewed. Moreover, the fried Chinese prickly ash leaves, fried Chinese toon buds and green onion pancake are all visitors' favorite dishes.
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Travelers' Voices on Mutianyu Great Wall
1.
Jun. 20,2009 22:26 Reply
Mr.Wilbur said:
It is narrow than the Badaling Great Wall, but has fewer visitors. It is a nice place to slow down your steps and enjoy the scenery. Good views espeically in autumn.
2.
Jun. 7,2009 18:40 Reply
Mrs.Nancy(USA) said:
Just got back from a two week trip to China. This section of the Wall is a must. It is far less crowded and more scenic than the others
3.
Apr. 7,2009 03:30 Reply
Mr.Kien(HK) said:
Can anyone help with the following pls:
1. How much for a taxi to Mutianyu (or a 7 seater car) and back to Wangfujing.
2. How long does the journey take.
3. Would it be feasible to cover both the Ming Tombs and Mutianyu in the same day.
4. Any idea on costs and time required.
Apr. 8,2009 20:40
Ms.Cora replied:
1. As far as I know, it is about CNY 300 for a single trip from Wangfujing to Mutianyu.
2. The journey takes about two hours if there is no traffic jam.
3. Yes, you can visit them in a day, and I suggest you visit Mutianyu in the morning for two hours, and go to the Ming Tombs in the afternoon for one hour.
May. 21,2009 03:50
Mr.Ye Wen(India) replied:
Mr Kien,
The anwers are,
1) A car (7 seater) would cost you about 400 RMB (this is for a whole day). (I travel by paying 350 RMB) (Most of the times, the taxi company will take you for a showroom visit - 30 minutes- Silk or any other handicrafts, you are advised, though all these are done for commission, don't refuse because as it helps you to get the first hand knowledge of few things) (Be sophestic when you want say NO)
2) Usually the journey takes about 90 to 120 minutes.
3) Yes, certainly, you can do both the places in a single trip.
4)Visit to both these places will cosume a considerable amount of time. Be prepared to start early. The total 'travel' journey will be about 150-180 minutes. And the total touring time will be about 6-7 hrs (very much subjective).
cheers!!!
Jun. 6,2009 22:48
Ms.tatty(use) replied:
ohh wow, taxi to mutianyu will be sooo expensive, its 60km, translate that to miles your self, i think the chiese do things in km. So If I were you I would go to a travel agency and go with a tour. If you can find a reasonable price for a seven people car ride, I would say NO MORE THAN 200 kuai maybe 250. but thats it. in Amreican money that should be close to $30, not too pricey for us but is for Chinese, so bargain people
Jun. 6,2009 22:49
Ms.Tatty(USA) replied:
ohh and my estimates are From Beijing
4.
May. 31,2009 13:38 Reply
Mrs.Lilian Manser(South Africa) said:
My husband and I are visiting China for the first time and want to make sure we do the best there is to do as we don't think we will ever visit there again. Can you please tell us whether we should visit the Badeling Section or Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.
May. 31,2009 21:37
Mr.Zhen replied:
Hi, Badaling and Mutianyu have different views. Badaling Great Wall is grander and has more visitors, but Mutianyu Great Wall has more ups and downs and a fewer visitors. The landscape near Mutianyu is said to be more beautiful. Badaling is located in Yanqing County and Mutianyu is located in Huairou County. It depends on your plan and time, but all worth a visit. Good trip!
Jun. 5,2009 07:57
Mr.Trusnovec(USA) replied:
I've been to both spots and loved Mutianyu more because there were less tourists and the scenery is stunning. I was there in WINTER so it was a bit slippery with a light snow on the wall but it was so picturesque. There's also a great little restaurant nearby called The Schoolhouse. You can't really go wrong with either location.
Jun. 6,2009 22:43
Ms.Tatty(USA) replied:
Badeling is too developed and sooo crowded and anoying and touristy, the mutianyu one is beautiful esspecially in August or July, the Greenery is breathtaking, less touristy and way better.
5.
May. 1,2009 19:35 Reply
Mr.Lee(USA) said:
Does anyone have experience hiring a taxi from Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall, have the taxi wait there (like a chartered ride) and then back to Beijing? (this way I have control over how long I want to stay/visit there)
Is it doable?
If yes, how much it might cost?
Or, is it better off just join a coach tour from the hotel to save all the trouble? (but, the coach tour looks like only 1/2 day and takes you to a factory for shopping, which I don't like wasting time there ... would rather spend at the wall)
Thanks for any advise !
May. 3,2009 21:00
Ms.Alice replied:
I suggest you go there by yourself. You can take a taxi from Beijing to Mutianyu, and discuss with the driver to see if he would like to wait you while you are visiting the wall, if he doesnot agree, you can take another taxi from Mutianyu Great Wall, which will take you back to Beijing. Have a nice trip!
May. 10,2009 23:23
Ms.Melissa(USA) replied:
When I went earlier this year our hotel arranged a driver for us. I believe that we spent 60 US dollars I think I cannot remember the price but it was doable and we had him for the whole day. He also took us to the Temple of Heaven. It was definitly worth the money to hire a driver through the hotel.
May. 21,2009 03:33
Mr.Ye Wen (India) replied:
Mr. Lee,
I went to this part of the wall for more than 4 times. Each time I preferred to take a hiered taxi (not a city cab). It's always a pleasant experience. You can hop and stop anywhere. It gives you enough space to move around and you can easily manage your schedule. Interestingly, most of the tourist companies do provide a interpreter-cum-guide alongwith a vehicle. Do your homework before you land, as where to go and how much time to spend.
All the best.
6.
May. 18,2009 09:06 Reply
Mr.john(Nigeria) said:
i am a study 2 the Swedish School of Beijing in Shunyi i have a question to ask which is were do tourist come from who visit the wall
May. 20,2009 03:41
Mr.Leo replied:
I'm confused, do you want to ask where all the tourists come from? They are from all parts in the world.
7.
Apr. 11,2009 08:48 Reply
Ms.Diane(USA) said:
Mutianyu - has anyone used a private guide and would recommend them? Going at beginning of May. Any and all recommendations about visiting are welcome.
Apr. 14,2009 01:05
Mr.Josh D(Canada) replied:
we took a tour through our hotel. I would recommend this over batalang as there were hardly any other tourists there so lots of great pictures. It is possible to just hire a taxi to take you and wait for you there as its a good drive out of beijing. We loved it.
Apr. 16,2009 05:33
Mrs.ANU(USA ) replied:
we just got back from beijing. our tour guide was WONDERFULL . She took us to the great wall . her name is Mini and you can contact her .HER EMAIL IS Feng shun ming 1967@yahoo.com.cn
8.
Apr. 1,2009 20:28 Reply
Ms.Li said:
Hi,
Any idea how I can get from Mutianyu to Ming Tombs by public bus?
Thanks!
Apr. 6,2009 22:33
Ms.Kettie replied:
Hi, Ms.Li,
I'm afraid there is no public bus from Mutianyu to Ming Tombs. The Ming Tombs is located in Changping District and the Mutianyu is at Huairou District. You can choose a taxi to go there.
9.
Mar. 10,2009 20:22 Reply
Ms.dg(phils) said:
any advice prior to visit to mutianyu, i will be tere mar 20
Mar. 11,2009 04:00
Ms.Cora(China) replied:
Mutianyu is wilder than Badaling, there are many ups and downs, and the steps is steeper, so you should be physically prepared, and the cell phone signal is not good on the wall. Have a nice trip!
10.
Mar. 9,2009 04:55 Reply
Mr.moushian(USA) said:
My wife and I just visited this Monday. Hardly any tourists were there, we took outstanding photos and the climb was challenging but worth it. A peaceful and scenic location
Mar. 10,2009 20:21
Ms.dg(phils) replied:
i will be there next week, chose mutianyu over badaling because of great reviews