Mutianyu Great Wall

Located in Huairou County in the suburbs of Beijing, the section of wall at Mutianyu Great Wall is 70 km from the center of Beijing. Connected with Juyong Pass in the west and Gubeikou in the east, it is one of the best preserved parts of the Great Wall and was originally set up to attract some of the crowds away from Badaling. However, today it is almost as busy as the first site but is very interesting.

There are 22 watch towers in the 2250-meter-long Mu Tian Yu Great Wall, the highest one is 540 meters above sea level. Although you can take the cable car or walk up the stairs at the site, many people prefer to take the ancient path at the side of the steps. This is certainly a more authentic and satisfying way to appreciate the site, if a little more taxing on the legs!

It is about 2 km from Mutianyu Village to Mutianyu Gateway. The gateway consists of three exquisitely built hollow towers, which are different from those at Badaling Great Wall, Shanhaiguan Great Wall, and Yanmen Guan Great Wall. The gateway here is not built in the middle of the tower, but at the sides of it.

This section of the wall is also surrounded by woodland and streams. The Great Wall takes on different looks in different seasons. In spring, flowers are blooming. In summer, the Great Wall is lush and green. In winter, the Great Wall is covered with white snow. However, the Great Wall's most charming season is autumn, when fruits ripen and leaves of gorgeously diverse color fall at this photogenic spot.

How to get there: Take bus No.6 at Xuan Wu Gate directly to the Great Wall.

Tel: (010)69642022 (010)69266505 for more information.

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