Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu Section Great Wall lies about 70 kilometers northeast of Beijing in Huairou county. This section measures 2250 meters in length with 22 watchtowers, but now only 1700- meter- long wall with 14 watchtowers is open to the public. The elevation at Mutianyu Pass is 486 meters in height, but the highest point on the top of the mountain is over 1000 meters above the sea level. The Mutianyu Great Wall is a very important strategic point that witnessed fierce contests again and again through China's history.
 

Features of Mutianyu Great Wall
Two unique features of Mutianyu section are: The "double sides battlements" and the "branch walls". The Wall here was built with stone slabs and the top part with gray brick battlements. Other parts of the Great Wall have battlements on the outer side and parapets on the inner side, but here both the outer and inner parapets on the inner side, but here both the outer side and parapets are crenellated with merlons, so that shots could be fired at the enemy on both sides. This feature is very rare on other parts of the Great Wall with the battlements on both sides and crenels along the battlements.

The protrusions of the Great Wall for several meters or several dozen meters long on which watch-towers were built. This part of Wall is known as "Branch Wall", which was on the mountain ridge but connected with the main Wall. Since the Branch Walls with watch-towers built on it, so the Branch Wall could control the high vantage points to protect the main part of the Wall. The Branch Walls really played an important role in the past.

The Mutianyu area has dense woods and rich pastures. Unlike other sections, Mutianyu area has beautiful landscape all the year round. In spring the mountain sides are decorated with peach and plum blossom; in summer, people feel cool here with the luxuriant green trees and grass; in autumn, golden color can be seen everywhere with the tree leaves and fruits——apples, pears, walnuts, chestnuts, red and crimson; and in winter, snow presents another attractive scene over the Great Wall.

In the past, this section was an important military consideration. Today it is a section of a very pleasant place to visit. Many parts of the Great Wall have collapsed through years. In 1984, our government spent large funds on its restoration. The Great Wall of the Mutianyu section was opened to the public in 1986.

For those interested in Mutianyu Great Wall tour, here recommend 2 popular tour routes:
Mutianyu Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Olympic Stadium Day Tour by Bus for $30
Mutianyu Great Wall Private Day Tour + Ming Tombs + Olympic Stadium from $52