Introduction 

Mutianyu Great Wall is located in Huairou County at least 1.5 hours drive from downtown Beijing and from Peking International Airport it is 1 hour 20 minutes. It covers a total length of 3.4 miles and is made up of a total of 23 watchtowers which are densely distributed. This section of the Great Wall connects with Gubeikou towards the east and Juyongguan Great Wall section towards the west. This section of the wall attracts thousands of visitors because of its easier hiking conditions in addition to a range of convenient facilities including chairlift, cable car and toboggan. 

The wall was first built during the Northern Qi Dynasty and during the Ming Dynasty Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang: two patriotic generals, reconstructed to further strengthen its defensive capabilities. Mutianyu was the northern protective screen and it guarded the capital and imperial mausoleums for so many years. The material used to construct the wall is mainly granite slabs measuring 8 meters by 4 meters by 5 meters. On both side of the wall are parapets that were used for the purpose of defense against enemies. Their normal shape is rectangular while others are unique and are saw tooth shaped.

Hiking from the base of the wall to the top watch towers takes around 40 to 60 minutes while exploring and walking the entire wall might take approximately 2 to 3 hours factoring in time for resting, relaxing and admiring the fortification.

Things and activities to do on a visit

Hiking

Mutianyu Great Wall is the best place for hiking as it has a smooth terrain. The section between tower 1 and 6 are very vertical and steep while from tower 19 to 20 the approximate 450 steps get too steep and most visitors find climbing these vertical steps quiet thrilling and exciting. The section between tower 4 and 19 is generally flat and suitable for visitors with less hiking capabilities and people with limited mobility abilities. For a much tough climb, hiking to tower 1 or Tower 23 is highly recommended. 

Entering from the northern entrance, visitors start hiking to tower 10, from the southern entrance the hike starts at tower 8 or 6. 

Scenery 

This section of the wall is particularly famous for its natural and breathtaking beauty offering very beautiful scenery as it is well restored and has unique views throughout the year. Woods dominate ninety six percent of the total area and flowers can be seen dotting the area in spring beautifully decorating the scene. Green grass dresses the hillside during summer. In autumn trees bear the sweetest fruits before they turn golden yellow and red. In winter, the area gets dressed up with white snow in the most magical way. The section between tower 14 and 23 bears the most stunning Great Wall views. Standing on tower 4 which is named Zheng Guan Terrace, a unique structure of the wall can be seen here with three watchtowers arranged on a terrace, two small towers standing on either side of one large tower. Beyond these towers, the wall is completely unrestored parts and is also not open to tourists but you can still see just how beautiful the wild Great Wall can get. 

Cable car and Chair lift

The cable car in Mutianyu Great Wall takes visitors straight to tower 14 while the chairlift goes to Tower 6. The section between Tower 14 and Tower 23 has the most stunning views of the Great Wall. The cable car and chairlifts offer safe and smooth rides compared to the toboggan and are highly recommended for senior tourists and also children.

Toboggan slide 

This long and thrilling ride is perfect for thrill seekers and is one of the most preferred ways of descending the wall. It is perfectly safe and its speed can be controlled with the availability of both single and double cars for parents who wish to ride together with their kids. 

Nearby Village

Back in nearby Mutianyu Village, there are rustic restaurants where you can enjoy the popular local specialty made with fresh trout, the perfect end to your Great Wall trip.

Changling Tomb

Introduction 

Constructed by Emperor Zhudi also known as Emperor Yongle in his seventh year of power, in 1409 this Changling Tomb took a total of 18 years to be completed. This imperial tomb covers a ground of 120,000 square meters and is the largest of all other Ming Tombs. The Changling Tomb is located in Changping County, 40 kilometers from Beijing at the foot of Heavenly Longevity Hill; a location that followed the principle of Feng Shui which is meant to harmonize everyone with nature. The Emperor started by building his tomb and then other emperors followed suit and eventually there was a cluster of tombs in the same valley leading to its development into a Cultural Protection Unit and a 5A Scenic Spot. In 2003, it was UNESCO listed amongst other World Cultural Heritage sites. 

Other tombs are usually located 8 kilometers away from Changling Tomb and they all have a common layout with a square yard at the front and a round yard at the back. Each tomb has the main structure built in the axis with a huge temple on the ground from front to back in this order; the Front Gate to the tomb, the Gate of Eminent Favor, the Hall of Eminent Favors (LingEn Dian), the Dragon and the Phoenix Gate, Soul Tower and the Wall-Encircled Earth Mound.

Things to do and see on a visit

Ling En Gate

Ling En Gate is located in the second courtyard of Changling Tomb area and has white marble railings curved with phoenixes and dragon with three stone steps at the front and the back of the basement stone. The gate is 31 meters wide, 14 meters deep and 15 meters high. At the corners of its steps and under the railings of the gate are dragon head shaped stone drainages. The lower part of the carved stones is a surging sea in which mountains stand and two sea horses are leaping out and in the upper part, two vigorous dragons are flying up and down, chasing fire beads.

Ling En Hall

Ling En Hall was initially a place of worship for the heirs of Emperor Yongle. It is 66 meters wide and 29.12 meters long. In the middle of the hall is a copper statue of Emperor Yongle on the throne decorated with nine dragons and the hall is the largest Nan wood building in China. It is supported by 60 wooden columns made of precious Nan wood. This is a special brand of wood originally found in the mountains in the southern part of China. The wood is believed to dispel mosquitoes during summer. The hall is set on a three story high pedestal of white marble and its ceiling is colorfully painted and supported by sixteen solid Nan wood, being 13 meters high and 1.1 meters wide and the floor is covered with golden bricks. 

The Hall now serves as a museum for precious artifacts found in the imperial coffins as well as an indispensable source of material for study about Ming’s architectural design. In addition, there is a portrait of Emperor Zhu Di and Empress Xu. In another picture is a list of achievements that Emperor Zhudi achieved including moving the capital to Beijing, organizing scholars to compile the Yongle Encyclopedia, constructing the Forbidden City and dispatching Zheng He to sail to the Atlantic. The palace also displays a live video of the underground excavation, which enlightens visitors on how to unlock the mystery of the underground palace.

Stele Pavilion

In the courtyard inside a double eave and hip pavilion stands a perfectly preserved dragon stele built in the 21st year during Emperor Jiajing’s reign. The dragon stele poses like a turtle yet it is a crawling dragon whose body is covered with protruding scales. There were no inscriptions on the stele except those written by three Qing Emperors. 

Treasure City

This is the back portion of Changling Tomb which when seen from above looks like an enclosed circular castle with a diameter of 300 meters. It is inside this 'city' that Emperor Zhu Di and Empress Xu were buried.

Divine Burner

There are two yellow glazed pottery burners that were used for burning silver ingots, prayer paper made of gold after sacrificial ceremonies.