Mutianyu Great Wall

Chinese name: 慕田峪长城(Mutianyu Changcheng)
Location: on the east side of Huanghua County, Huairou District, 73 kilometers north from Beijing Municipality, Northern China
Total length of Great Wall : 6,260 km (3,890 miles)
Length of Mutianyu section: about 2,5 km

Different from other sections composing the Great Wall, Mutianyu section is definitely the area where admiring the most important number of watchtowers and other ancient constructions. When visiting Mutianyu, travelers are left speechless in front of the closely packed enemy towers and perilous passes, densely placed. A total of 22 watchtowers battlements, a shelter for defense soldiers when fighting, are indeed located on the section, with three main one referred as the three hollow enemy towers: one big in the centre and two smaller on both sides. Located on the same level, the three watchtowers are connected to each other inside the wall and compose a rarely seen structure. The outer and inner parapets of the wall are both used to defend against enemies coming from the two sides, a feature very rare on other parts of the Great Wall. In order to reinforce this defensive use, some of the parapets are even seen tooth shaped instead of the regular rectangular form that we see in the Great Wall. Enemy towers, enemy platforms, wall platforms, extension rooms…everything is packed in the same place: an architecture indicating the important strategic position of Mutianyu Great Wall in history and during wartimes.

Surrounding villages and activities
Constructed on a land where villages were already set, cultural and historical relics can be found near to Mutianyu Great Wall. The Mutianyu village was to this point one of the earliest villages near to the Great Wall to be hailed by the Chinese government as a model village because of its rebirth, thanks to tourism and glassware industries. The place is today a favorite of travelers looking for some ancient architecture and typical Chinese insights. Some attractions along the section can be found such as a wheeled toboggan where to ride down on a winding metal track, a great entertainment for kids or parents! Though covered by 96% of forest and grassland, Mutianyu is an area where some branch cities developed on the hill ridge against the inner and outer side of the wall. Flourishing section of the Great Wall, Mutianyu is definitely where coming to have the deepest insight of China's Great Wall and China's gorgeous history.

What to see in the Mutianyu Great Wall today?

When visiting China and planning to have a hike on the Great Wall, Mutianyu must be one of the choices to experience one of the best discovery of this human masterpiece classified to UNESCO. High scenic spot of China, Mutianyu Great Wall is where experiencing many different insights of China starting with a hike and a climbing using a cable-car providing an all-around service. Secured and meeting international standards (No. 1 Cable Car for Great Wall), taking the machine to reach the top of the wall's section is way more rapid and convenient than the huge stairs, used today by the most courageous visitors. If still choosing to climb up step by step, there are two ways available: south and north where appreciating the different sceneries along the Great Wall, changing with the seasons. Not high in altitude but giving some stereoscopic views, Mutianyu is the perfect place to enjoy China's amazing landscapes. Being an amazed and entertained area where to take some rest for a whole day or more, Mutianyu is also where going for spending a good day with friends or family. There, the China Dream Stones City, Lu Ming Recreation Zoo and the Slide Way, are the three newly established scenic areas encompassing the Great Wall culture, stone culture and entertainment at the disposal of visitors.

Gorgeous nature and landscapes along the 4 seasons

Particularity of Mutianyu Great Wall, the surrounding landscape is what makes the difference with other sections of the monument. Indeed, Mutianyu is known for being surrounded with mountains, trees (more than 20 pines species of over 300 years old and about 200 pines species of over 100 year old) and beautiful sceneries. One typical aspect of the section is its changing beauty according to the seasons. Whether visited in spring, summer, autumn or winter, Mutianyu is giving to its visitors the most impressive shots ever seen. Spring and its fragrant flowers vying with each other in beauty and blooming are one of the most famous sightseeing to experience. Summer, recovering mountains with green coats and a delicate sound of flowing lake is enchanting travelers in holiday. Autumn, and its fruitful trees and red leaves dancing with the wind are one of the most praised sceneries by Chinese people. Finally, when winter comes, Mutianyu Great Wall is painted of pure white and coated with silver costume: a northland scene in China, like a dream lived in another world. 

Mutianyu travel tips
When visiting Mutianyu Great Wall during your tour in China or stay in Beijing, we can recommend you some travel tips about accommodations and restaurants that are worth a visit.

Around Mutianyu, some farmhouses with preserved authentic architecture and lifestyle can be discovered by the most adventurous. The Fugui Hong Farmhouse (富贵宏农家院, Fugui hong nongjia yuan), Baosheng renjia Farmhouse (宝生人家农家院, Baosheng renjia nongjia yuan) are worth a stay before, in the middle or after your visit of the Great Wall. Place appraised since 2000 as the second grade of hotel in the area, the mountain lodge Great Wall Villa (长城山庄, Changcheng shanzhuang) is sitting at the foot of the Great Wall. Ancient style architecture and elegant court, the villa is perfect for enjoying the fresh air and scenery of the Great Wall. Finally, the Master Fish Restaurant (鱼师傅餐厅, Yu shifu canting) will know how to fill your appetite after a half day hike on this section of the Great Wall.

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