First, you’ll visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which is among the best-preserved and most scenic sections of the Great Wall. The Mutianyu Great Wall’s pristine parapets line the ridges of soft, sloping hillsides that are blanketed with verdant forests and lined with deep blue streams.
After visiting the Great Wall, your driver will take you to the spectacular Summer Palace, which sprouts above the lush forest canopy and sits along the serene Kunming Lake. The colorful palace holds China’s largest royal garden, a beautiful promenade along the lake’s shores, and dragon boats you can rent for a leisurely cruise to close out your day.
The Mutianyu Great Wall, located in Mutianyu Village, Bohai Town, Huairou District, Beijing, is a remarkable section of the Great Wall with a long - standing history and unique charm. the Mutianyu Great Wall is a must - visit destination for those who want to experience the grandeur of the Great Wall, learn about Chinese history, and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. It truly deserves its reputation as one of the most spectacular and well - preserved sections of the Great Wall in China.
Historical Background
It was initially built on the ruins of the Northern Qi Dynasty Great Wall (550 - 557) and later rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) under the command of General Xu Da. Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, two famous patriotic generals, also made great contributions to its reconstruction to strengthen its defensive potential. It has served as an important northern protective screen, guarding the capital and imperial mausoleums for generations.
Architectural Features
- Unique Layout: It is connected to Gubeikou in the east and Huanghuacheng and Badaling in the west, taking in the three passes of Juyongguan and Daomaguan. The Zhengguan Pass, with three enemy towers standing side by side, is a rare sight on the Great Wall.
- Dense Watchtowers: There are 22 watchtowers distributed along the wall, with one every 100 meters on average, much denser than the norm of about one every 500 meters on other sections. The Dajiaolou (No. 1 Watchtower) at the highest point on the east side is one of the famous landscapes. It was the boundary between Jizhen Great Wall and Changzhen Great Wall in ancient times and has significant military importance.
- Double - sided Parapets: Unlike most sections, the Mutianyu Great Wall has battlements on both sides of the wall, enabling soldiers to fire at enemies from both directions. Some parapets are saw - tooth shaped instead of the regular rectangular form.
Tourist Activities
- Hiking: Visitors can choose different hiking routes, such as the challenging Jiankou section or the cable - car - accessible routes. When reaching the No. 23 defensive tower, one can have a better view of the Great Wall's features.
- Cycling: There is a 20 - kilometer cycling route around Mutianyu, which departs from the Mutianyu Great Wall parking lot, passes through Xinghai Square and Chestnut Blossom Valley, and finally returns to the Mutianyu Visitor Center. It usually takes about 2 hours for most riders.
- Toboggan Ride: The Shibide toboggan is a thrilling way to descend from Mutianyu, with a length of 1,580 meters.
Ten kilometers northwest of Beijing City, the Summer Palace of 290 hectares is one of China’s largest and best-preserved imperial gardens. It consists mainly of Kunming Lake of 210 hectares and Longevity Hill dotted with halls and pavilions. Places of interest in the garden include the Long Corridor of 728 meters, the Pavilion of Buddha’s Fragrance on top of Longevity Hill, the Marble Boat mooring forever by the lakeshore, a boat ride on the Kunming Lake by a private dragon boat with drinks and tea served.