Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the best-preserved and best-known Great Wall sections, and the longest section of the Great Wall in China. Located 65 kilometers (40 miles) to the north of Beijing city proper, the Great Wall at Mutianyu has breathtaking scenery but fewer tourists, thus making it the best choice for a Great Wall tour.
 |
| Mutianyu Great Wall |
Basic Facts of Mutianyu Great Wall
It has a total length of 5,400 meters (5,900 yards). It was first built in the 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 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.
There are 23 watchtowers distributed at close intervals along the wall, 20 of which are open to tourists.
Highlights of the Mutianyu Great Wall
1. Hero Slope, No. 20 Watchtower
2. The Thrilling and Fun Toboggan
|
|
3. Graffiti Wall, No. 14 Watchtower
Why Visit Mutianyu Great Wall
Usually, there are fewer tourists, affording visitors a tranquil and immersive journey away from the hustle and bustle. The surrounding natural scenery is simply spectacular, with over 95% vegetation coverage creating a picturesque backdrop, particularly stunning during autumn when the foliage blazes red.
Mutianyu Great Wall is the only section of the Great Wall that offers a toboggan ride, providing a more thrilling and enjoyable experience.
Its diverse terrain, featuring both flat and steep sections, along with its well-developed facilities, caters to visitors of all fitness levels, making it an ideal destination for families.
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. 4 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 on three sides.
How to Tour the Mutianyu Great Wall
 |
Usually, there are the following three routes for visiting the Mutianyu Great Wall:
1. The Most Popular Route: East Route
2. To the Highest Point: West Route
3. The Easiest Route - Middle Route:
If time and energy allow, you can extend your journey by adding more sections to any of the above routes.
|
|
See more Visiting Mutianyu Great Wall: Toboggan, Cable Car, or Chairlift?
Travel to Mutianyu with Us
Opening Hours
Day Time:
November 16 to March 15: 08:00 - 17:30
March 16 - November 15: 07:30 - 18:00; extended to 18:30 on Saturdays and Sundays.
Night Time: Open from July to August
17:00 - 21:00, last admission at 20:30
Lighting time: 18:00 - 21:00
Notes:
1. Ticket sales stop one hour before closing and entry stops half an hour before closing.
2. The service hours of the cable cars, chairlifts and toboggan are the same as that of the Mutianyu Great Wall.
Tickets
Day Tour:
| Tickets | Adults | 6 - 18 and 60+ |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance ticket | CNY40 | CNY20 |
| Entrance ticket + Shuttle bus (round trip) | CNY55 | CNY35 |
| Entrance ticket + Cable car/Chairlift/Toboggan (round trip) | CNY180 | CNY160 |
| Entrance ticket + Shuttle bus (round trip) + Cable car/Chairlift/Toboggan (round trip) | CNY195 | CNY175 |
| Entrance ticket + Cable car (one-way) + Chairlift/Toboggan(one-way) | CNY240 | CNY220 |
| Entrance ticket + Shuttle bus (round trip)+ Cable car (one-way) + Chairlift/Toboggan(one-way) | CNY255 | CNY235 |
Notes:
1. Entrance ticket: Children under 6 years old enjoy free entry;
2. Cable Car/Chairlift/Toboggan: Free for children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet);
3. If you buy an entrance ticket attached with a postcard of Mutianyu, you need to pay CNY5 more and pick it up at the manual ticket window or self-service ticket machine.
4. If you choose to take the cable car to ascend the Great Wall and then take the chairlift or the toboggan to descend, you need to purchase two one-way tickets separately, as these two facilities are operated by independent operators.
5. The entrance to the scenic area is about 6 kilometers (4 miles) away from the ticket gate, so you need to take a shuttle bus. Visitors taking the tourist buses can go directly to the ticket gate and do not need to take a shuttle bus.
Night Tour (July and August):
Children under 1.2m (3.9ft) are free of charge.
How to buy the tickets
2. Tickets can be booked 30 days in advance on the Mutianyu website.
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 the May Day Holiday (from May 1st to 5th), the National Day Holiday (from October 1st to 7th) and the summer vacation(July - August), during which visitor numbers surge significantly.
See more: Mutianyu Weather
|
|
How to Get to Mutianyu from Your Hotel in Beijing
Option 1: Qianmen Tourist Bus Line
Departure: 08:00 - 10:00 from Qianmen; 13:00 - 16:00 from Mutianyu
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
Interval: set off when all seats are taken
Ticket: CNY80 for a round trip Option 2: Dongzhimen Tourist Bus Line
Departure: 9:10 at Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub; 13:00 - 16:00 from Mutianyu
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
Interval: one departure per day
Ticket: CNY80 for a round trip Option 3: Bus line 916 Express to Huairou North Avenue + h23, h24, h35, or h36 to Mutianyu Roundabout Station
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 Option 4: Taxi/Didi/Car Rental
Taking a taxi, using Didi, or renting a car represents the most convenient and time-efficient transportation option, albeit at a higher cost. The journey typically takes between 1 and 1.5 hours. A one-way trip costs approximately CNY 300 to 400, while a round-trip arrangement with a hired vehicle ranges from CNY 800 to 1,200.
Where to Eat
Tips for Visiting Mutianyu Great Wall
2. Essential items include sunscreen, sunglasses, a raincoat, and a hiking stick.
3. Bring enough food and water to replenish your energy.
4. Clean restrooms are available on the wall, but please bring your own tissues.
5. Mutianyu is home to many friendly stray cats. You can bring some cat treats to feed them.
6. If you plan to take the toboggan, pay extra attention to the weather. As long as it's raining, even a light drizzle, the slide will be closed.
7. For easier climbing, rent “AI Legs” at the South Ticket Gate - an innovative device that reduces climbing effort by 50%, providing robust support on steep steps and long slopes. Rental fee: CNY100 for 3 hours, with an additional CNY20 per extra hour.
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 Unique Great Wall Sections to Explore
- 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
