As autumn deepens, the vibrant red foliage covering the Great Wall has become even more spectacular. From October 15 to November 15, Mutianyu Great Wall enters its peak season for viewing the red leaves. The weekends of October 26-27 and November 2-3 are expected to see the highest number of visitors.
With a vegetation coverage of 96%, Mutianyu Great Wall is blanketed with rich plant life, including smoketrees and maples, transforming the landscape into a stunning tapestry of red and purple hues. This natural beauty is attracting visitors from far and wide to experience the breathtaking autumn scenery.
Mutianyu Great Wall recommends two best routes for leaf viewing:
Dajiao Lou Route
If you enjoy hiking and want to experience the scenic beauty up close, you can opt for the Extreme Challenge Route. Start at the north ticket entrance and take the northern trail to Tower 10. From there, continue to Tower 14, where you can admire the full view of the east side of the Great Wall. Hike further to Tower 20, the highest accessible point of the Mutianyu section, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire Great Wall. Afterward, return to Tower 14 and take the cable car down.
Tower 14-15 Route
For those who prefer a broader view of the landscape and wish to take in the scenic beauty along the way, start by taking the cable car from the north ticket entrance to the cable car platform. Here, you can enjoy the red leaves on the inner side of the Great Wall—a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts. Then, continue the cable car ride to Tower 14, where you will be treated to stunning vistas of the mountains covered in autumn foliage. Afterward, hike to Dajiao Tower for a panoramic view of the entire Mutianyu Great Wall, offering breathtaking, majestic scenery.
Tower 5 Route
Where are the best spots to view the red leaves? According to the scenic area officials, the prime viewing locations are concentrated around Dajiao Lou, Towers 5, 12, and 14. Each spot offers a unique perspective of the Great Wall's beauty: from Dajiao Lou, you can take in the full panoramic view of the Mutianyu Great Wall, with its grand and imposing landscape; the small platform leading from Zhengguan Terrace to Tower 5 is perfect for visitors to take photos and check in; Tower 20, the highest point of the Mutianyu Great Wall, offers stunning vistas of the layered mountains and vibrant fall foliage, making it an exceptional viewing point.
Additionally, the full-view guide for Mutianyu Great Wall indicates that, due to a later temperature drop this year, the peak period for viewing the red leaves is expected to last until early November.
Translator: NIU Lihua
Reviewer: BAI Jing
