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M U T I A N Y U - Great Wall
Please click here to see: Mutianyu Great Wall
About Mutianyu Great Wall.
In the northern part of Huairou County some 70 kilometers north-east of Beijing City, this section of the Great Wall winds its way for over 2000 meters.
The construction of this section was started in the mid-6th century during China's Northern Dynasties (386 - 581) and what now remains is the main restoration made during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). It has served as a northern barrier of what is now Beijing through the ages. Connected with Juyongguan Pass in the west and Guibeikou Great Wall in the east, this section was built along steep ridges and deep valleys. Differing from that part of the Great Wall more widely visited, this section is renowned for its unique fortifications.
Wall Features
Solid wall and twenty-two blockhouses and watchtowers
The wall is seven-to-eight meters high and four-to-five meters wide at the top and five-to-six at the bottom. The brick wall is reinforced with a stone facing. Twenty-two watchtowers have been built at regular intervals along its 2250 meter span. They vary from being complex structures of more than one storey to simple beacons. Among these, the most famous is Zheng Bei Tai, a castle complex that consists of three inner-connected watchtowers. These combined three towers ensured the defending forces could control any attempt at an invasion.
Source: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/beijing/mutianyu.htm
I went to this great wall with my lovely one, last week (29 November 2006). Last year I went to the Badaling section, this year I got the information that another part of the Great Wall that very nice is Mutianyu.
I grabbed all information from Mr Google (internet). Then I know how to go there. This time I tried to go by public bus, not a tourist bus. Because I want to have relax time and much time there, If I go using tourist bus, I think will get same experience like last time in Badaling. Only spent 2 hours in the wall, must hurry up, running, stepped up and down so fast cause very limited time. Last year I was the last passenger went to the bus.
We started our journey 6am in the morning, actually the first bus going to the Mutinayu start from 6.05 am. We went by train (Subway) to the Dong Zhi Men station, from there we took bus no 916. It took about 2 hours to the Mutianyu section. After out to the bus, many people offer the car to go to the Wall Entry gate, this time just be careful, If can not speak Chinese a little bit problem, but if can just bargain. The price should be around 30 RMB to go to entry gate. Normally they will ask more if know you?re the tourist. From the driver, he told me if he knew that I can?t speak, he would like to charge me around 600 RMB. The journey only took about 15-20 minutes. Then we arrived at the entry gate. The Entry fee is 35. If choose to used the cable car to go up, and going down by sliding car. The ticket is 50. Total 85 RMB. Actually can mount steps to climb the wall, only pay the entrance fee about 35 RMB.
Nice experience tried the open cable car to the top, then from the top of the wall, I can say, this is better than Badaling, not crowded, and the important things is the view. The colorful trees, yellow, red and green make the view very nice, and lucky that time the weather was fantastic, shine and blue and also cold cause starting winter time. During The end of October the temperature is about 5-12 degree.
This wall was surrounding by natural environment, mountains, trees, and in the morning some fog, make it fantastic view.
I spent about 5 hours, enjoying the wind, view and also walking along the wall, the good things is not many people, so not crowded, can easily take photos here. Maybe in this session also, have many bugs, especially lady bugs, playing around in the wall, quite nice seeing them fly over the tree.
We went down using the sliding car, nice experience, going down with this interesting idea, must try, just follow the instruction, and I think should be okay, a little bit scared, but actually is safe.
We can have lunch here, but please ask the price first, or if you want to save money, you can just eat the instant noodle or also fruits. Because I found out the restaurant is also not really nice.
We called the driver again (before we asked the driver phone number) it cost the same, we paid about 40 RMB, additional 10 RMB added, for the tips. Then we went back using the 916 Bus to the city.
Entrance Fee: 85 RMB ( Entrance Fee 35, Cable Car 55 )
Public Transport Bus Route 916 from Dong Xi Men, Cost 11 RMB (2 hours). Take Car 30 RMB. (15-20 minutes)
The opening hours: 07:30 to 17:20.
Please click here to see: Mutianyu Great Wall
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