Mutianyu Great Wall

The Mutianyu section lies about 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) northeast of Beijing in Huairou County. This section measures 2250 meters in length with 22 watchtowers. It was a strategic pass built in the Ming Dynasty.

Two unique features of this section are the battlements on both sides and the branch walls . Other parts of the Great Wall have battlements only on the outer side and parapets on the inner side , but here both the outer and inner parapets are crenellated with merlons , so that shots could be fired at the enemy on both sides.

The mountain ridge branches out from either inside or outside the main Wall , and another piece of wall was built on this mountain, known as : Branch Wall, which was on the mountain ridge but connected with the main wall ,watch towers built on it .The Branch Wall really played an important role in the past .

The Mutianyu area has dense woods and rich pastures , and has a beautiful landscape all the year round. In spring , the mountain sides are decorated with peach and plum blossoms ; in Summer , people feel cool here with the luxuriant green trees and grass; in autumn, the golden , red autumn colors can be seen everywhere .and in winter , snow presents another attractive scene over the Great Wall.