The Mutianyu Great Wall is surrounded by mountains with a vegetation coverage rate of more than 96%. It is ancient and beautiful and enjoys a reputation as one of the most popular sections of the Great Wall. This area has four distinct seasons, with each offering a different scenic experience. Mutianyu is an excellent choice for people who love to hike, and there are plenty of other scenic spots to enjoy nearby.

Route Overview

Day 1 Travel to Mutianyu Great Wall and start your adventure. Whether you like trekking, cycling, or running, you'll find an activity to suit you. Don't miss a meal of tender rainbow trout, which will revive you after a long day hiking. In the evening, you can stay at a boutique hotel in the mountains.

Day 2 After a good night's rest, carry on your trip with a visit to Hongluo Temple or Qinglong Gorge, or enjoy a reviving stay at the hotel by Yanqi Lake.

Attractions

Summary-The Mutianyu Great Wall is connected to Gubeikou to the east and Huanghuacheng and Badaling to the west, taking in the three passes of Jvyongguan, and Daomaguan. It is one of the most complete and representative sections of the existing Ming Dynasty Great Wall in China.

Mutianyu has a high-quality cable car, as well as the thrilling Shibide toboggan. The whole area brings the Great Wall, culture, sports, fitness, and entertainment together. 

Address: Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing

Phone: +86-10-61626022

Website: http://www.mutianyugreatwall.com

Trekking on the Mutianyu Great Wall

The construction of the Mutianyu Great Wall has a unique style. The Zhengguan platform, which has three enemy towers standing side by side, is a rare sight on the Great Wall. During the walk, you can get a novel experience of walking on the steep and undulating Great Wall.

The Jiankou of the Great Wall is one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. It was built on ridges with steep cliffs on each side, which makes it one of the most dangerous sections. It is also the most photogenic section and has always been a hot spot for hiking and photographing on the Great Wall.

Unmissable Experiences

1. Hiking

Remember to bring hiking equipment, such as trekking poles, hiking shoes, water, and food. Set off on foot and take in the many aspects of the Great Wall landscape from the thrilling to the picturesque. When you reach defensive tower No.23, you can see more of the features of the Great Wall.

2. Cycling

Challenge yourself to cycle 20 kilometers! This cycling route around Mutianyu departs from the Mutianyu Great Wall parking lot, passes through Xinghai Square and Chestnut Blossom Valley, and finally returns to the Mutianyu Visitor Center. The cycling route is mostly flat with a few gentle upward slopes and should take most riders around 2 hours.

3. Running

Come to Mutianyu Great Wall to run in nature and explore quiet local villages. From Mutianyu Visitor Center, the running route passes by Great Wall Villa, Mutianyu Road, Great Wall Station, and Great Wall Story Homestay, and finally returns to Mutianyu Visitor Center. The whole route is about 6.5 kilometers and should take about 50 minutes.

Tips

1. Remember to bring suitable hiking or cycling gear, and always pay attention to safety.

2. If you feel tired after climbing the Great Wall, you can choose to come down by cable car or toboggan.

More Great Wall Tour Options

There are plenty of ways to experience the Mutianyu Great Wall in addition to hiking and cycling.

New Experiences

1. Romantic Photography

The No. 15 defensive tower on the Great Wall is a popular spot for couples because it was where Ge You proposed to Shu Qi in the movie If You Are the One 2. People leave commemorative photos with their loved ones here and take couple's selfies — you may even see a marriage proposal.

2. Great Wall Cable Car

The cable way has a total length of 723 meters, and the end-point is 640 meters above sea level. The cable car is safe, comfortable, and fast. Both the cable car and station have accessible facilities.

3. Toboggan

This toboggan is the most thrilling way to descend from Mutianyu. The toboggan, which was made in Germany, snakes 1,580 meters down the mountain and is the quickest way (although it's still very safe) to come down from the top of the Great Wall.

4. 360 Special Training Camp

Located at 603 Beizhai Village, Qiaozi Town, Huairou District, 360 Special Training Camp is one of the largest, most professional live-action paint ball sites in Beijing. Fight your way across a challenging landscape equipped with the best quality paint ball gear.

Explore Huairou by Car

Huairou has some of the best natural sceneries around Beijing. If you are driving in your own car, it is a stop not to be missed.

Recommended Attractions

1. Yanqi Lake

Walk around the lake starting from the south gate of Yanqi Lake Scenic Area and follow Yanqi Lake Road, West Road, North Road, and Beishan Plank Road to the west gate. Climb Jindeng Mountain and get amazing views of Jundu Mountain, the undulating Great Wall, and the majestic Hongluo Mountain. The lake is also great for family bike rides. Grab a table at the open-air restaurant, and you might find yourself dining next to a star.

Address: 3 Yanshui Road, Huairou District, Beijing

Phone: +86-10-69661696

Website: http://www.yanqihu.com

2. Hongluo Temple

Hongluo Temple is beautiful in all seasons. In spring, the visitors can enjoy the f lowers, such as the Wisteria Flower Festival in April and May. In summer, the temple is quiet, and at night, you can stay in an ancient courtyard with carved beams and columns at Hongluoshan Resort. In autumn, you can experience the local folk culture and enjoy Mid-Autumn Festival garden activities. In winter, the Spring Festival blessing garden party will give you a true sense of traditional Chinese culture.

Address: 2 North Hongluo East Road, Luzhuang Village, Huairou Town, Huairou District, Beijing

Phone: +86-10-60681175, 60681639

Website: http://hongluosi.com/

3. Qinglong Gorge

Qinglong Gorge boasts stunning natural scenery and plenty of water sports and other attractions. From natural swimming pools to bamboo canoes to fishing, there is something for everyone. If you like extreme sports, challenge yourself with bungee jumping, rock climbing, and Downhill Mountain biking!

Address: 500 meters north of Dashuiyu Village, Huaibei Town, Huairou District, Beijing

Phone: +86-10-89699781, 89696694

Time: 8:00-17:00

4. Liyuan Bookstore

Located near the Great Wall, this is a popular cultural venue with a refined design and a strong commitment to environmental protection. The bookstore is framed by 45,000 firewood sticks. There is no electricity or running water, only the natural light filtering through the glass windows. The bookstore has been named one of the world's most beautiful bookstores on many occasions.

Address: Wisdom Valley, Junction River Village, Yanqi Town, Huairou District

Phone: 13910105454