Mutianyu Great Wall

The Great Corner Tower is the first watchtower on the eastern section of the Mutianyu Great Wall, perched on a ridge at approximately 600 meters elevation. It earned its name because three sections of the wall converge here at a sharp angle, forming a dramatic corner. Originally constructed during the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty under the supervision of General Xu Da, it was later reinforced by renowned commanders Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang. The tower features a unique three-arch connected design, serving multiple functions including lookout, defense, and troop billeting. From its summit, visitors can gaze eastward to see the Jiankou Great Wall snaking like a dragon across the peaks, southward to view the Mutianyu pass in its entirety, and northward over verdant valleys. As a critical node in the Great Wall defense system, it commanded a strategically vital position and remains a precious physical relic for the study of Ming Dynasty frontier military engineering.

Zhengguantai Pass is the core fortress of the Mutianyu Great Wall, composed of three hollow watchtowers connected side by side from east to west. This three-tower arrangement is extremely rare along the entire Great Wall and represents the most iconic architectural feature of the Mutianyu section. Built during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, the towers are interconnected at the ground level while each has its own crenellated upper level, capable of simultaneously housing hundreds of soldiers. The three towers rise at staggered heights—the central one tallest, flanked by two slightly lower ones—appearing from afar as three ramparts standing together in imposing grandeur. The walls extend east and west along the ridgeline from the pass, built on granite block foundations with blue brick superstructures approximately 7-8 meters high and 4 meters wide at the top, wide enough for five horses or ten soldiers abreast. Commanding the valley passage, Zhengguantai was a vital military pass guarding the northern gateway to the imperial capital and has witnessed centuries of martial history.

Tower No. 6 is one of the most popular boarding points along the Mutianyu Great Wall, situated adjacent to the upper cable car station and serving as the starting point for most visitors' wall exploration. The Mutianyu cable car spans approximately 700 meters with an elevation gain of about 400 meters, completing a one-way trip in just 4-5 minutes. It transports passengers from the mountain base directly to the vicinity of Tower No. 6, eliminating the strenuous hike and greatly enhancing accessibility. Tower No. 6 is a square hollow watchtower with a spacious interior and a sturdy vaulted ceiling. From its summit, visitors can survey the magnificent panorama of the entire Mutianyu Great Wall winding through the mountains. This is also one of the finest vantage points for photographing the wall—spring brings blooming wildflowers, summer clothes the slopes in vivid green, autumn paints the forests in fiery colors, and winter drapes everything in pristine white, offering breathtaking scenery in every season.

Mutianyu Great Wall gained an added layer of romance after serving as a filming location for the movie "If You Are the One II" (2010, directed by Feng Xiaogang). The iconic scene in which the characters played by Ge You and Shu Qi have their proposal moment on the Great Wall was shot between Towers No. 14 and 16 of the Mutianyu section. This stretch of wall sits at a high elevation with an open panorama—the wall unfurls along the ridgeline like a ribbon, with layered peaks rising on both sides in magnificent splendor. After the film's release, this spot quickly became a popular destination for visitors, especially favored by couples and newlyweds. The scenic area has placed identification markers near the filming location for easy photo positioning. Strolling along this section, visitors can simultaneously feel the weight of history and relive the romance of the film—a unique experience that beautifully merges cultural heritage with popular culture at Mutianyu.

The Chairman Mao Stone Inscription is located within the Mutianyu Great Wall scenic area, bearing the famous line from Mao Zedong's poem "Clean Plain Melody: Liupan Mountain"—"He who has not reached the Great Wall is not a true man"—carved in vigorous, imposing calligraphy. This quote originated from Mao's reflections during the Red Army's crossing of Liupan Mountain on the Long March in 1935 and has since become a classic inspiration for countless visitors to climb the Great Wall. The stone regularly draws large crowds of tourists posing for photographs and has become one of the signature photo spots at Mutianyu. Nearby stands an administrative boundary marker for Huairou District, indicating the geographical location of the site. The boundary marker and the stone inscription stand side by side—one marking geographic coordinates, the other carrying spiritual significance. Here, visitors can confirm they stand on the soil of Huairou while feeling the bold spirit of being a "true man"—a special waypoint that combines both cultural and geographical meaning along the Great Wall.

Hero Slope is the highest point of the Mutianyu Great Wall, located near Tower No. 20 at an elevation of approximately 540 meters. The terrain here is steep, with the wall climbing along the ridgeline and some steps angled at nearly seventy degrees, making the ascent quite strenuous—hence the name "Hero Slope," inspired by the saying "He who has not reached the Great Wall is not a true man." To reach the summit, visitors set out from Zhengguantai Pass or Tower No. 6, climbing along the wall past multiple watchtowers, a journey of about one to two hours. Upon reaching the top, the vista opens dramatically—mountains stretch as far as the eye can see, and the Great Wall unfurls like a colossal dragon over the peaks into the distance in breathtaking grandeur. This is also an ideal spot for watching sunrise and sunset. When the first rays of dawn or the golden glow of dusk bathes the wall and mountains, the scenery is truly awe-inspiring. Conquering Hero Slope is not merely a physical challenge but a spiritual experience, allowing one to truly appreciate the boldness and heroism embodied in the word "hero."