Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall
Magnificent Mutianyu
 Photos   Map

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

 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 (Click to enlarge)


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
 

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
Fresh Green 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 Jul. 31, 2023 by Gabby Li -
Questions & Answers on Mutianyu Great Wall
Asked by Charle T from PHILIPPINES | Jun. 19, 2023 12:04Reply
How to go to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall if from Mutianyu Great Wall?
We are planning to Mutianyu Great Wall then in the afternoon will visit Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall.
Answers (1)
Answered by Scott | Jun. 19, 2023 19:11
00Reply


From Mutianyu, take local bus H23 Inter-zone line to Yujiayuan, change to bus no. 868 to Huayuan Xiaoqu, then transfer to Mi51 to Gubei Water Town. It takes about 3.5-4 hours in total.
Asked by Beeer from THAILAND | Apr. 28, 2021 11:40Reply
About Mutianyu Great Wall
1 How long if I walk from No. 14 to No. 23 watchtower and walk back
2 Any discount cable car discount for senior?
Answers (1)
Answered by Brooklyn | May. 09, 2021 23:04
00Reply


1. Generally speaking, it takes around 1.5 hours.
2. As I know, the discount only adapt for Chinese citizens.
Asked by Marie from FRANCE | Jan. 22, 2020 21:32Reply
Chine new year
Hi!
I'm wondering is the buses to Mutianyu Great Wall are running on Friday 24th of January, as it's the start of Chinese new year. Can't find info online.
Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Rhonda from FRANCE | Feb. 03, 2020 16:29
00Reply


As I know, the scenic area was closed from that time because of the virus situation.
Asked by nitchanun from THAILAND | Dec. 12, 2019 08:03Reply
How much Totally cost for 916express and H23
Hi
I need to know totally cost per person for 916 express and H 23 to Mutianyu great wall, I'm not sure around 18 yuan/trip/person or not
Pls confirm
Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Vera from POLAND | Dec. 16, 2019 22:02
00Reply


As I know, the total fare of 916 Express is CNY12 per person. And for the entire trip of H23, the ticket fare is CNY6 per person.
Asked by Flo from SINGAPORE | Nov. 25, 2019 06:39Reply
Mutianyu Wall in early December
Being a low season in (early) December, how long are the queues for admission tickets, shuttle bus, cable car and slide way? Are there any food stalls up at the wall?
Answers (1)
Answered by Reagan from UKRAINE | Nov. 26, 2019 01:53
00Reply


Well, there won't have crowded tourists in low season. Thus don't worry. You are still suggested to go to the scenic areas early. Have a nice journey!
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