Explore the Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu Great Wall is a picturesque scene, like a giant dragon lying quietly in the green mountains and valleys. With high vegetation coverage, it offers different scenery in each season. Spring 🌸 brings blooming mountain flowers, summer 🌳 offers the shade of lush trees, autumn 🍁 paints the mountains with red leaves, and winter ❄️ covers everything in a silver blanket. Compared to the Badaling Great Wall, Mutianyu opens later, closing at 6:30 pm on weekends during peak season. Visitors are evenly distributed, avoiding crowds and long queues, making it especially suitable for family trips and outings with children. Moreover, its unique No. 3 watchtower, a three-platform interconnected structure with a hollow center, boasts a distinctive architectural style and high viewing value. Opening hours: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm daily, extended to 6:30 pm on weekends during peak season. Ticket prices: Adults: CNY 40/person, free for those under 18 and over 60. Combined ticket (admission + shuttle bus + round-trip cable car or chairlift up and toboggan down): Adults: CNY 200, seniors: CNY 180, children above 1.2m: CNY 155. The Mutianyu Great Wall's 20 watchtowers are divided into three sections: east, middle, and west: East section (watchtowers 1-6): The scenery is slightly less impressive than the west section. Watchtower No. 1, the Dajiaolou, connects the three sections of the Great Wall, and No. 4, Zhengguantai, is a uniquely shaped hollow watchtower. Middle section (watchtowers 6-14): Gentle slopes, fewer steps, and ordinary scenery. West section (watchtowers 14-20): Concentrated scenic spots. Here you'll find the No. 14 watchtower with the inscription "He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man," No. 15, the filming location of "If You Are the One," and watchtowers 19-20, the steeper section known as Haohanpo (the slope for true men), with No. 20, Yingxiongtai (Hero's Terrace), being the highest point. Cable car up and toboggan down (CNY 200/person): Suitable for visitors with children who want to experience the toboggan (not suitable for seniors over 60). Take the cable car from the north entrance to watchtower No. 14, proceed to No. 20, return to No. 6, and finally descend via the toboggan. Round-trip cable car (CNY 140/person): Saves time and effort, allowing you to enjoy the best scenery. Take the cable car to watchtower No. 14, proceed to No. 20, return to No. 14, and descend by cable car. Chairlift up and toboggan down (CNY 140/person): Saves effort and offers the fun of the toboggan. Take the chairlift to watchtower No. 6, proceed to No. 4 or No. 1, return to No. 6, and descend via the toboggan. Hiking trail (free): Suitable for those in good physical condition. From the south entrance, follow the south trail to watchtower No. 6 (the south trail is easier to climb than the north trail), then proceed to No. 14 and No. 20 (or No. 1), and finally descend from No. 6. Food near Mutianyu 1. Master Yu Farmhouse Restaurant Located at No. 1, Xinying Village, Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou District, Beijing, this is the first local farmhouse restaurant featuring rainbow trout fishing. The ingredients are either homegrown or supplied by local farmers, ensuring freshness and quality. Highly recommended dishes include crispy fish head, braised fish bones, and fried fish steak, each bite offering a lingering taste. 2. Xian Laoman Restaurant Located in Xinying Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing, near the Mutianyu Great Wall, this restaurant specializes in dumplings, stuffed pancakes, and Hulatang spicy soup, and is featured on Beijing's must-eat list. The dumplings have various fillings and delicious flavors, with the mackerel and chive dumplings being a standout. Enjoying the food here offers a deep dive into Beijing's traditional folk food culture. 3. Yisonglou Restaurant Located in Xinying Village at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou District, Beijing, this restaurant is built against the mountain, offering a tranquil environment. It specializes in Sichuan and Shandong cuisine, local specialties, and home-style dishes. Enjoy the magnificent view of the Great Wall while dining, adding a unique touch to your meal. 4. Burger King Located in Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing, near the Mutianyu Great Wall, this is a must-try for fans of Western fast food. It offers a variety of delicious burgers, fast food, and fries, providing a quick energy boost during your visit. 5. Mutianyu Mountain Villa Located at the foot of the Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou District, Beijing, this restaurant offers an elegant environment and a wide selection of dishes. Specialties like roast whole lamb, stewed chicken, and stir-fried tofu are authentic and popular among tourists. Dining here allows you to fully experience the rural charm at the foot of the Great Wall. Tips Wear comfortable athletic shoes and light clothing. The Great Wall has many steps and some steep slopes. Pay attention to wind protection and warmth in winter 🧣. Check the weather forecast in advance and choose a sunny day for beautiful scenery and good photo opportunities 📸. It's crowded on holidays, so start early to avoid peak hours. Most museums in the city are closed on Mondays, and the Great Wall is crowded, so try to avoid Mondays. Food and drinks in the scenic area are expensive, so bring your own water and snacks, such as bread and chocolate 🍫. The toboggan speed is controllable and not scary. It's not open on rainy days and not suitable for people over 60 (choose the chairlift instead). There is no shade on the Great Wall, so take sun protection measures in summer 🌞. Allow enough time for the return trip. If you take the 4 pm bus back to the city, allow 1.5-2 hrs to descend the mountain to avoid missing the last bus. There are many cats in the scenic area. Cat lovers can bring cat treats 🐱.