Visiting the Great Wall of China – Mutianyu Section
No trip to Beijing would feel complete without visiting the Great Wall of China.
The Great Wall is one of the largest construction projects ever undertaken by humans. Rather than being a single continuous wall, it is actually a network of fortifications built over more than 2,000 years across northern China and parts of southern Mongolia.
The best-preserved sections we see today were mainly constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). These sections stretch roughly 8,850 km from east to west, from Mount Hu near Dandong in Liaoning Province all the way to Jiayu Pass in Gansu Province.
Interestingly, the wall does not run in a straight line. Instead, it follows mountain ridges and natural terrain, winding across hills, valleys, and deserts like a giant dragon.
In 1987, the Great Wall was officially designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Fascinating Facts About the Great Wall
A few interesting facts about this incredible structure:
It is enormous.
The total length of the Great Wall system is estimated at 21,196 km, including walls, trenches, and natural defensive barriers.
It took over 2,000 years to build.
Construction began as early as the 7th century BC, with different dynasties expanding and reinforcing the defenses over centuries.
It is not just a wall.
The Great Wall system includes watchtowers, barracks, fortresses, signal towers, and garrison stations, forming an integrated military defense network.
Many materials were used.
Different sections were built using earth, wood, bricks, and stone, depending on the resources available in each region.
Important passes along the Wall.
There are many strategic passes along the Great Wall, including:
- Shanhai Pass – known as the “First Pass Under Heaven” where the wall meets the sea
- Jiayu Pass – the westernmost fortress at the edge of the Gobi Desert
A famous legend.
One of the most well-known Chinese legends associated with the wall is the story of Lady Meng Jiang, whose husband died while building the wall. Her grief was said to be so powerful that part of the wall collapsed.
Today, the Great Wall remains one of China’s most important cultural symbols.
Which Section of the Great Wall to Visit
There are several sections of the Great Wall accessible from Beijing, including:
- Badaling – the most famous and heavily visited section
- Mutianyu – less crowded and beautifully restored
- Jinshanling – popular for hiking
- Simatai – more rugged and partially unrestored
Since we were planning to go straight to the airport afterward, our driver Mr. Meng (Miles Transport) recommended visiting the Mutianyu section, which is slightly farther from Beijing but usually less crowded than Badaling.
Arriving at Mutianyu
After breakfast, our driver and guide Kevin from Mr. Meng’s company picked us up.
Kevin spoke fluent English and was very friendly. He helped us purchase the entrance tickets and told us to simply WeChat him when we were ready to leave.
At Mutianyu, visitors can choose different ways to reach the wall:
- hiking up
- chairlift up
- cable car up
We chose the chairlift up and the toboggan ride down.
Originally, we thought the toboggan ride would be the scary part, but surprisingly the chairlift ride up felt more nerve-wracking!
Exploring the Great Wall
The chairlift took us to the top where we could start exploring the wall.
The Great Wall is massive, and once you get there you quickly realize how much climbing is involved. The staircases are steep and uneven in many places.
If you plan to visit, definitely wear comfortable walking or running shoes.
Although July is peak summer in Beijing, we were lucky that the weather that day was slightly cooler — probably because we were higher up in the mountains.
After climbing up and down many sections of the wall, our legs were already starting to feel the workout.
So of course… we decided it was time for a little yoga session on the Great Wall.
Traveling with yoga friends always leads to moments like this.
Toboggan Ride Down
Our flight to Zhangjiajie was scheduled for 6:25 PM with Air China, so around 2:30 PM we started heading down.
Instead of taking the chairlift again, we chose the Mutianyu toboggan ride, which turned out to be a lot of fun.
Each person rides a small sled on a metal track down the mountain, and you can control your own speed using a brake lever.
It was actually less scary than we expected and a really fun way to end the visit.
Practical Tips for Visiting the Great Wall at Mutianyu
If you are planning to visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, here are some practical tips based on our experience.
1. Go Early to Avoid Crowds
Mutianyu is less crowded than Badaling, but it can still get busy — especially during weekends and Chinese holidays.
Arriving early in the morning helps you enjoy the Wall with fewer crowds and cooler temperatures.
2. Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes
The Great Wall involves a lot of climbing. Many of the stairs are steep and uneven because they were built centuries ago.
Good walking or running shoes will make the experience much more comfortable.
3. Choose Your Way Up and Down
At Mutianyu you have several options to reach the Wall:
- Chairlift up
- Cable car up
- Hiking trail up
For the descent you can take:
- Chairlift down
- Cable car down
- Toboggan slide down
The toboggan ride down is one of the most fun experiences and very popular with visitors.
4. Bring Water and Sun Protection
There are small shops along the wall selling drinks, but prices can be higher.
It’s a good idea to bring:
- water
- sunscreen
- a hat
During summer months, the sun can be quite strong.
5. Allow Enough Time
Plan to spend at least 2–3 hours exploring the wall.
Even if you are not hiking long distances, you will likely spend a lot of time walking, climbing, and taking photos.
Why Mutianyu Is a Great Choice
Compared to other sections near Beijing, Mutianyu offers a great balance:
- beautiful mountain scenery
- well-restored walls
- fewer crowds than Badaling
- fun activities like the toboggan ride
For travelers with limited time in Beijing, it’s one of the best sections of the Great Wall to visit.
