Beijing See: Mutianyu Great Wall Towers 6 to 1 (北京.慕田峪长城.敌楼6~1)
- Rick
- 24 hours ago
- 5 min read
The eastern segment of Mutianyu Great Wall (慕田峪长城) — between Towers 6 and 1 — is perhaps the most challenging to hike and the least travelled compared to the popular western segment (Towers 14 to 20) and the middle segment (Towers 14 to 6) that connects the two segments. This eastern segment descends to a mountain pass, or valley, before climbing up the slope of the opposite mountain in a "V" shape — hiking from Tower 6 to Tower 1 and back will be a double "V".
There are two ways to access the eastern segment:
Take the chairlift by Shibide Cableway & Slideway (施必得索道滑道) up the mountain and walk to Tower 6. Although the upper station is located nearer to Tower 5 and has a footpath leading down to it, it is best to start at Tower 6 to get a wider view of the Great Wall before starting the hike.
Continue on the Great Wall if coming from the middle segment.
After exiting from Tower 6, the full view of the eastern segment is exposed. Note that it is best to observe Tower 1 from here using a binocular before descending to Tower 5.
No. 5 Watchtower (五号敌楼) is another watchtower with an observation pavilion on the top level — the second such watchtower from Tower 20 to Tower 5. Coming from Tower 6, access is directly on the top level of Tower 5.
Tower 5 offers a splendid view of the Great Wall as it snakes up the opposite slope. Enter the shelter, go down a ladder and exit the watchtower. Note that Tower 5 has a side exit, on the lower level, to the Cableway & Slideway Station.
Before reaching Tower 4, turn back to see Tower 5 sitting in the middle of the reclining Great Wall. There is also an Ancient Iron Cannon (古铁炮) here (find it in the photo above) — last of the 4 relics between Towers 13 and 4.
No. 4 Watchtower (四号敌楼) is a group of 3 watchtowers also known as Zhengguantai (正关台) or Mutianyu Pass (慕田峪关) — this is why there are 22 watchtowers in Mutianyu Great Wall but only 20 "numbered Towers". Tower 4 is the largest in Mutianyu and the most magnificent. Access is similarly on the top-level of the watchtowers by walking pass the 3 pavilions, which are locked.
Tower 4 is best viewed after walking further towards Tower 3 and looking back. The size of the large tower can be easily seen from this angle.
From Tower 4, the steep ascend begins. The flight of steps to Tower 3 are so steep that metal handrails were installed to assist visitors to walk up / down — it is much steeper than the Hero Slope (好汉坡) to Tower 20. Note that in autumn / winter, the handrails can be very cold to hold with bare hands.
No. 3 Watchtower (三号敌楼) offers a wide view of the Great Wall rising from the valley below and continues upslope to Tower 14 and the Cable Car Station. Although tiny in size, Tower 20 on the furthest mountain is visible from here too. One more thing to note is how close the Cableway & Slideway Station is located to Tower 5 than to Tower 6.
Facing the exit of Tower 3 is another steep flight of high steps. It takes quite an amount of effort to leave the tower.
It is interesting to note that the walkway is nearly on the same level as the top-tier of Tower 3, yet a steep staircase was built to access the lower level instead — unlike Tower 5.
No. 2 Watchtower (二号敌楼) is pretty similarly in design to Tower 3 with steps leading to it and exiting via a steep staircase. However, views from its side windows are obstructed by trees.
Again, a nice view of the Great Wall after exiting from Tower 2.
No. 1 Watchtower (一号敌楼) is a larger, two-tier watchtower with an observation pavilion on top. Also called Dajiaolou (大角楼), or Great Corner Tower, as it sits at an intersection between 3 branches of the Great Wall: Mutianyu (慕田峪) and the undeveloped sections of Jizhen (蓟镇) and Changzhen (昌镇). The top-level of the tower used to be accessible — evident from the names scribbled on the wooden pillars — but the ladder had since been removed.
It is a pity that there is no way to get a full view of the magnificent watchtower and the other two connecting Great Walls. The only way, after visiting Tower 1, is to go back down.
Before descending from Tower 1, get a "full" view of Mutianyu Great Wall from here. Nearby Towers are obstructed by trees but Tower 20 at the far end of the western segment can be seen from here. It is obvious that Tower 1 and 20 are the two highest towers and Tower 14 is the next highest between the two — which explains why Tower 14 has an outer beacon tower (烽火台).
The landscape around Mutianyu has numerous hills and mountain ranges. It presents a beautiful sight near sunset.
The way down is not any easier than coming up as the sights of the steep steps alone do make the legs tremble — especially between Tower 3 and Tower 4. Nearly everyone who goes down has to use the handrails.
The Great Wall turns golden nearer to sunset and it offers yet another great opportunity to take more beautiful photos — it sure is worth it to spend a full day in Mutianyu Great Wall.
Retrace the steps back to Tower 5 or 6. A slow hike from Tower 6 to Tower 1 and back takes about an hour. Despite the steep steps, the distance is not long.
There are two ways to proceed from here:
Continue on the middle segment from Tower 6 to Tower 14 if there is sufficient time. However, the hike will be mostly upslope and will probably take 1.5 to 2 hours.
End the visit and descend from the Great Wall using the cableway / slideway.
Many visitors who end their journeys at Tower 6 or 5 will use the slideway (toboggan) as a fun way to leave the mountain. It will take just 1~2 minutes to slide down. Few visitors will use the cableway (chairlift) to descend. However, descending slowly on a chairlift gives about 6-7 minutes to appreciate the views on the way down, especially near sunset.
When visiting Mutianyu Great Wall as a foreigner and only once a lifetime, be sure to complete all the segments. The whole journey takes just 4.5 hours on a slow, leisurely pace with ample time for rests — but, be sure to plan it correctly.
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