#17 Great Wall at Mutianyu, Beijing, CHINA

The construction of the Great Wall of China began centuries ago in an attempt to keep out foreign invaders. It now welcomes invaders of a different type, when millions of tourists descend upon the massive site. The Mutianyu section of the wall was restored in the 1980s. It is close to Beijing but offers relative peace when compared to the crowded Badaling section.

The Badaling section of the Great Wall is close to Beijing, well-restored and easy to walk, but it is teeming with tourists. The 10-kilometer hike between the Jinshaling and Simatai -- where the Wall is largely unrestored -- is farther away and physically challenging, but views of green valleys and small numbers of fellow travelers reward those fit enough to make the difficult walk. Mutianyu offers a compromise between other options. It is restored and not difficult to walk, but it is not too crowded.

Practicalities

Mutianyu Great Wall Park is open every day of the year. That portion of the Wall stretches for 2.5 km and contains 22 watchtowers. Visitors should be aware that the Wall it is completely out in the open; except for the towers, there is no shade or shelter from the elements. The park does not permit vendors past the entrance gate, so visitors should pack enough bottled water to drink once inside. It takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes to walk the entire section.

Located in Huairou County about 45 miles from Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China. It connects Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. The wall was first built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557). In 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.

Mutianyu Great Wall winds 1.4 miles through lofty mountains and high ridges, many sections of which are made of granite. The unique structure makes the wall almost indestructible. It measures 23 to 26 feet high and four to five yards wide. Both of the wall's inner and outer sides have parapets to defend against enemies coming from the two sides. 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 22 watch towers distributed at close intervals along the wall. They are located not only in the main wall but also at the distinctive 'branch cities'. Branch cities are built on the hill ridge against the inner or outer side of the wall. They measure from several yards to dozens of yards across. On the northwest over 3,281-feet hills, lies a section of the wall called 'Ox Horn Edge'. On the steep and lofty peaks, there are two walls named 'Flying Eagle Flies Facing Upward' and 'Arrow Lock'. What is more rarely seen on the southeast side is a general gateway platform guarded by three watch towers together. In locations of strategic importance, batteries are set up to reinforce the defense capabilities. Mutianyu really deserves to be the archetype of the ten thousand li Great Wall.

Besides its strategically important location and compact layout, the Mutianyu Great Wall is also famous for the breath-takingly beautiful scenery. Woods cover over ninety-six percent of the total scenic area. The wall presents different aspects of beauty in the four seasons. Flowers bloom all over the mountains in spring.  Grasses dress the hillside green in summer. Trees are laden with sweet fruits in autumn, and especially in October, leaves are turning red or yellow, touching the mountain tops with gold. In winter, the wall is covered by snow, making it seem more magnificent. The pine trees around the wall are well-known. There are more than 20 pines over 300 years old and about 200 pines over 100 year old. Besides, spring water at the foot of the wall tastes pure and fragrant, much appreciated by visitors.

What's more, the national first-rate cable car is installed in Mutianyu. A sled named 'Speed' will give you an opportunity to experience thrills by taking you swoop down from the high mountains. China Stone City collects weird and beautiful stones, attracting more and more visitors to come and see.

Despite the hundreds of buses that visit daily, the Great Wall at Mutianyu is not as crowded as the nearby Badaling or Juyongguan sections of the Wall. Mutianyu’s 2.5 kilometer stretch of the Wall allows you to walk for more than an hour as you explore 22 watchtowers and the valley on both sides of the Wall. In late afternoon, or in poor weather, you often might find yourself alone with only the sound of the wind to keep you company. Travel back in time and see the Wall as it was when it was built hundreds of years ago.

The relative scarcity of tourists stems from the location of Mutianyu in Huairou county of Beijing. Local tour companies maximize their profit by maximizing the stops they make along the way, including at different markets and souvenir factories. Part of Mutianyu’s charm is that it isn’t part of the same tourist racket, although more and more shops are beginning to line the way up to the village. In protected parkland, Mutianyu village and Great Wall maintain their old way of life, and only at the gate to the park will you find hawkers trying to sell you t-shirts and beer. 

Location

Located among the orchards and pines in the mountains to the north of Beijing, the Great Wall of China was constructed and reconstructed at Mutianyu to keep out the nomadic tribes to the north. A short 60 km trip outside of Beijing, The Great Wall of China at Mutianyu stands as a monument to both the strength and the weakness of the Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1627). Come learn, touch, and explore the history of a Wall built over 300 years ago, yet which remains largely intact as it snakes endlessly across the mountain ridgelines.

Nestled up against the Great Wall of China are the villages of Mutianyu, Beigou, Xinying and Tianxianyu. Founded by the original builders of the Wall, these villages have retained their wonderful unique character and are a microcosm of Chinese rural life. Real working villages, these family friendly towns offer a relaxing escape from the hustle-bustle of tourism, and the pollution of the city. Explore our site to find out more about the history and activities of the Mutianyu Great Wall area.

Located in Huairou County northeast of the Beijing urban area, the Mutianyu Great Wall crosses the mountain ridges connecting Juyongguan Pass to the west and Gubeikou to the east. Along with nearby Huanghua Great Wall and Jiankou pass, these fortifications make up the northern barrier protecting Beijing city and the imperial mausoleums. High quality construction and unique features make this section of the Great Wall a prominent feature in the defense of the Capital and an exciting tourist destination. 

 

History

The Great Wall at Mutianyu was built and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), on the remnants of a Wall originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577). Reconstruction took place under the supervision of Xu Da, one of the founding generals of the Ming Dynasty, who was responsible for building a Wall from Shanhaiguan in the east to as far as Mutianyu. The Ming pass at Mutianyu was officially proclaimed in 1404, where is would serve as an important symbol of protection from marauding nomads to the north.

Reconstruction began in 1568 on 1000km of the Wall including Mutianyu. Responsibility was given to Qi Jiguang, a general who had built his credentials fighting Japanese pirates, and who took his responsibilities as a builder very seriously. Construction continued for many years, as the fortifications were built up with solid granite blocks, and included the construction of some of the larger defensive towers.

The most recent renovation of the Wall at Mutianyu took place from 1982-1986, at the direction of the Beijing government. Rather than a defensive fortification, the Mutianyu Great Wall Park has been designated a national tourist attraction, where it attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Mutianyu is a bit more rugged and slightly less crowded than the more famous Badaling. There are abundant natural springs which feed a great variety of plants and trees. Over 96% of Mutianyu is covered by trees and orchards, keeping the air fragrant with chestnut blossoms in the spring and fresh all year long.

 

Features

Built mainly from granite, the pass at Mutianyu is an appropriately unique section of the Great Wall. 7 to 8 meters high, and 4 to 5 meters high with crenellations on both sides of the Wall, the section of the Wall at Mutianyu stretches for over 2 kilometers.

Matching its military importance, the Mutianyu Great Wall has 22 watchtowers built at almost 100 meter intervals. This number of towers is much more than would be expected along the Wall, and is also highlighted by the particular form and structure unique to this section. The Zheng Guan Tai gate stands with three connected watchtowers, with the center tower rising above the flanking structures. While each tower has its own gate, the main watchtower gate is on the east side of the building, which is quite unusual.

Other unique features in this section include the ‘Tail Wall’ which stretches out perpendicular to the Wall along a ridgeline for stronger defensive positioning, and another perpendicular extension on the other side of the Wall. Invading nomads would use the ridgelines as they marched, to avoid being caught unawares in the brambles and trees below, and the positioning of the Great Wall along the ridgeline and these adjoining tail walls are recognition of the importance of this high ground.

 

Sister Village

On 4 June 2007, a delegation led by the Mayor of Mutianyu signed into effect the first ever sister village relationship between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China. Established between the villages of Mutianyu, PRC, and Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, USA, this sister village relationship hopes to become a bridge for exchange between these two villages, an exchange based on mutual respect, learning, and cooperation. In April 2010 a delegation from Shelburne Falls led by State Senator Stan Rosenberg visited Mutianyu to conduct three days of discussions on how to build bridges between people and places. As an opportunity for education in both directions, this sister village relationship holds promise for the intellectual and economic development of both communities over the coming years.

Through educational and experiential exchange, Mutianyu and Shelburne Falls hope to build their profile and their experience in international tourism, and to create an exchange where students from each village can learn about the lifestyles, economy, and history of a village half a world away.