Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There & Away
tour to Mùtiányù twice every morning (¥16, 2½ hours, 7am and 8.30am, 15 March to 15
November only) and returns from Mùtiányù twice each afternoon (2pm and 4pm). Other-
iǔzhàn) take bus 916 (the character is
'kuài',
and means 'fast') to Huáiróu (¥12, one hour,
6.30am to 7.30pm). Get off at Mingzhu Guangchang bus stop, then take the first right to
find a bunch of minivans waiting to take passengers to Mùtiányù (per person ¥15, 30
minutes). Return minivans start drying up around 6pm. The last 916 back to Běijīng
leaves Huáiróu at around 7pm. If you miss that, catch a taxi from Huáiróu to Houshayu
subway station (Hòushāyù Dìtiě Zhàn; about ¥100), one of the most northerly subway sta-
tions on Line 15, and then take the subway back into the city centre.
»
Tours
Many hotels and hostels run tours to Mùtiányù.
»
Taxi
Around ¥500 to ¥600 return day trip from Běijīng.
Need to Know
»
Location
90km from Běijīng
»
Price
Adult/student ¥45/25
»
Hours
Summer 7am-6.30pm, winter 7.30am-5.30pm
Exploring the Wall
Famed for its Ming-era guard towers and great views, this 3km-long section of wall is
largely a recently restored Ming-dynasty structure that was built upon an earlier Northern
Qi-dynasty edifice. With 26 watchtowers, the wall is impressive and manageable, and al-
though it's popular, most souvenir hawking is kept to the lower levels.
From the ticket office at Mùtiányù, there are three or four stepped pathways leading up
to the wall, plus a
cable car
( lǎn chē; one-way/return ¥60/80, children half-price)
, a
chairlift
( suǒdào;
one-way ¥50)
and a
toboggan ride
( huá dào; adult/child ¥60/50)
, making this ideal for those who
can't manage too many steps or who have young kids in tow.
