Great Wall of China at Mutianyu with watchtowers winding over autumn-coloured mountains under a blue sky

Landmark · Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing

The Great Wall at Mutianyu

Restored Ming-dynasty section of the Great Wall in the wooded hills of Huairou, north-east of Beijing (慕田峪长城)

Ambient sound · similar settingHwamei song in hillside forest at morning

Photo: Carol Jeng (@carolran) / Unsplash

Discover The Great Wall at Mutianyu

Mutianyu is where many travellers have their first, unforgettable walk on the Great Wall. The restored ramparts follow a steep ridge through hills that are almost entirely forested, so the grey stone ribbon stands out against green in summer and russet and gold in autumn. Watchtowers come thick and fast along this stretch, and from almost any of them you can see the wall rising and falling into the distance.

It is a practical choice as well as a beautiful one. A cable car lifts visitors up to the ridge, and a well-organised service area at the foot of the hill has restaurants, shops and toilets. Walk as far as your legs allow, climb towards the steeper towers for quieter views, then take the ride back down to the valley.

Don’t miss

01Zhengguantai, the pass named by the Beijing government as one of the section's key towers
02Dajiaolou, one of the named watchtowers along the restored ridge
03Double-sided battlements, built to defend against attack from both sides
04Yingfeidaoyang (Eagle Flying Upside Down), a dramatic named stretch of the wall
05Enclosed cable car to the ridge, plus an alpine slide for the descent
06Forested ridges with over 96 percent vegetation cover, glorious in autumn

History & culture

The story of The Great Wall at Mutianyu

The Great Wall is not one wall but a vast system of fortifications built and rebuilt over some two thousand years. UNESCO notes that the first unified line was created under Qin Shi Huang around 220 BC, and that building continued until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), whose brick and stone ramparts are what most visitors picture today. The Great Wall was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987.

According to the scenic area's official history, the Mutianyu wall was built in the early Ming period under General Xu Da on the remains of an earlier Northern Qi wall, and a fortified pass was established here in 1404. The section lies between Juyongguan to the west and Gubeikou to the east and guarded the northern approaches to the capital. Restoration began in 1983 with State Council approval, the site became a national protected cultural relic in 2006 and was rated a national 5A tourist attraction in 2011.

The Beijing municipal government highlights the section's double-sided battlements, distinctive pass design and inner and outer auxiliary walls, along with named towers such as Zhengguantai and Dajiaolou.

Local life & traditions

Mutianyu Village sits at the foot of the wall, and the rural Huairou hills around it are a favourite countryside escape from the city. For Beijingers, the wall is a classic weekend outing and a place to bring visiting relatives; for China as a whole, the Great Wall is a powerful symbol of endurance and national heritage, celebrated in poetry and song for centuries.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors ride the cable car up, walk a section of the restored wall between the towers, and come down by cable car or the slide. If you are fit, walk west towards the higher towers, where the steps steepen and the crowds thin; the official site suggests routes that combine towers with the cable car station at Tower 14.

Allow at least half a day including transport, and a full day if you want an unhurried walk and a meal at the service area. Photographers should aim for the first hours after opening or late afternoon, when the low light brings out the texture of the stone and the folds of the hills.

When to go

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to early November) bring the most comfortable walking temperatures and clearer skies, and autumn colours on the forested slopes are a highlight from mid-October. Summer is green but hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms; winter is cold and windy but very quiet, and snow on the wall is beautiful if you dress for it. Avoid Chinese national holidays, especially the first week of October, when visitor numbers peak.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Location: Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing. Source: english.beijing.gov.cn ↗
Public transport: Express Bus 916 from Dongzhimen Public Transport Hub to Huairoubeidajie stop, then transfer to bus H23, H3 or H71 to Mutianyujingqu stop (as published by the Beijing municipal government). Source: english.beijing.gov.cn ↗
By car: Beijing-Chengde Expressway, Exit 13 (Beitai Road), then follow signs towards Kuangou and Mutianyu. Source: english.beijing.gov.cn ↗
Arrival: Visitors arrive at the service area, pass the shopping street (dining, souvenirs, toilets) and take a shuttle bus to the scenic area, where tickets are checked. Source: en.mutianyugreatwall.com ↗
UNESCO World Heritage: Part of 'The Great Wall', inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987. Source: en.mutianyugreatwall.com ↗

Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Wear shoes with good grip: many stretches are steep and the stone steps are uneven and can be slippery after rain.
Leave Beijing early in the morning to beat tour buses, and avoid weekends and national holidays if you can.
Carry water, sun protection and a light layer; the ridge is exposed and much windier than the valley.
Check ticket, cable car and opening details on the official Mutianyu website before you go, as arrangements change by season.
Halal food choices at the service area are limited, so Muslim travellers may prefer to bring a packed lunch from Beijing.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around The Great Wall at Mutianyu: food, markets & places to stay

The service area at the foot of the wall has restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops, and the Mutianyu Great Wall Hotel offers lunch. The official site also suggests combining a visit with Yanqi Lake, Qinglong Gorge or Hongluo Temple elsewhere in Huairou District. Most visitors stay in central Beijing and come as a day trip by bus, private car or organised tour; Huairou town is the nearest larger centre.