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The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, at 22 km long, is the longest section that is restored and open to tourists. Mutianyu (Admire Fields Valley) is located in Huairou County, Beijing, about 80km (a 2.5 hour journey) from the city center. It is open from 7:30am to 5:20pm.

To get there take bus 916 or tourist bus 6 at Xuanwumen. Alternatively, you could take a China Highlights tour and let us take the hassle out of getting to this excellent section of the Great Wall.

Construction began on this section of the Great Wall in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577). During the reign of Emperor Hongwu (1368-1398), General Xu Da rebuilt the Great Wall on its original foundation. The Mutianyu Pass was erected in 1404 (the 2nd year of Emperor Yongle's reign). Construction was finished on the Wall at Mutainyu, as it now stands, when General Qi Jiguang was transferrel to Jizhou to command the garrison area in 1568 (the 2nd year of Emperor Longqing's reign).

The Great Wall at Mutianyu has 22 watchtowers, about one every kilometer, on overlapping mountain ranges. The wall, built with slabs of granite, is seven or eight meters high and four or five meters wide. It is crenellated on both sides with bricks. Horse snares were placed outside the wall to offer enhanced protection and ward off attacks.

With the greens of pines and cypresses covering ninety percent of the surrounding area, the scenery here is beautiful all the year round.

Map of Mutianyu Great Wall

Mutianyu Great Wall, click here to enlarge

Other Sections in Beijing

Jiankou, Huanghuacheng , Gubeikou, Baimaguan Fort, Water Pass, Badaling Great Wall, Jinshanling, Simatai Great Wall

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