Watchtowers
Along the ridges.
Gerd Eichmann — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Another Believer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ahazan — Public domain · Wikibphil — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Alastair0392 — CC BY 3.0 · Another Believer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Another Believer — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Francesco Bini — CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the most beautiful and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall, about 70 km north-east of central Beijing; first built in the mid-sixth century, it is older than the better-known Badaling section, and was rebuilt under the Ming to protect the capital and the imperial tombs. Here the wall snakes along forested mountain ridges with closely spaced watchtowers, dozens of them, giving superb views that change with the seasons, green in summer and red and gold in autumn. It's less crowded than Badaling and is reached by cable car, chairlift or a long stairway on foot, and many love coming down on the long metal toboggan run that winds through the trees, a fun ride for families. Entry is CNY 40, the shuttle bus to the cable car CNY 15 and a return cable car about CNY 140, per visitor guides. Early morning in spring or autumn is best. Avoid the National Day holiday week, 1–7 October, when crowds are extreme.
Along the ridges.
Through the trees.
On the hills.
Huairou District, about 70 km north-east of Beijing
Mutianyu is less crowded and more scenic, with a cable car and toboggan; Badaling is the most famous, the busiest and the easiest to reach by train.