• If I just have two days in Beijing, what itinerary would you suggest?
• What 's the best way to get around Beijing?
• Can I use travelers checks and how can I exchange currency?
• What about the accommodation in Beijing?
• What kind of local snacks can I taste in Beijing and where?
>>More Tour Tips

The Mutianyu Great Wall is considered the most beautiful section in Beijng. Located in Huairou County 72km northeast of Beijing, it stands opposite of Badaling Great Wall, connected with Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Gateway in the east. The whole area is like a garden on a mountain top. There are abundant natural springs which feed a great variety of plants and fruit trees, keeping the air fresh all year long. The scenic beauty is excellent especially in spring and autumn.

As one of the best-preserved parts of the Great Wall, the Mutianyu sector used to serve as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. It was built and restored in early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) on the remnants of a Wall originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-570). Hence, the wall has a storied history of over 1400 years.

The Great Wall can be roughly classified as the main wall and branch wall. Mutianyu Section belongs to be the branch wall. Each side of it could have been attacked, so battlements were built on both sides to intensify the defense of the main wall. Famous buildings of Mutianyu Section include Ox's Horn, Arrow Nock, Tower with Nine Embrasures and Eagle Flying Belly-Up. Because of its strategic military importance, the Mutianyu Great Wall has 22 watchtowers built at almost 100 meter (328 ft) intervals. This number of towers is much more than what would be expected along the Wall and is also highlighted by the particular form and structure.

To get up to the wall and back, you can take either the chair lift or the cable car. If you want a fun and exciting way to come down you can take the toboggan. Its winding descent is thrilling and will give you some great views.

The acient lookout towers stand wind and rain for thousand of years.	Late autumn is a great time to visit Mutianyu, when the leaves turn into all hues of red.