Mutianyu Watchtowers: Tower-by-Tower Guide

Mutianyu watchtowers: how the ridge is numbered

Mutianyu numbers its restored watchtowers 1–23 along the open visitor ridge. The count is a navigation aid — not every tower needs a long stop, but the sequence explains where you are between the east chairlift, middle landmarks, and west cable car.

• East zone (Towers 1–6): Dajiaolou at Tower 1, Zhengguantai / Mutianyu Pass at Tower 4, chairlift and toboggan access at Tower 6.
• Middle zone (Towers 7–13): Connector between ride hubs; Tower 10 Glass Steps and Tower 11 Outer Branch Wall are the signature architecture stops.
• West zone (Towers 14–23): Cable car at Tower 14, Hero Slope at Towers 19–20, optional extension to reopened Towers 21–23.

Mutianyu Watchtowers: The Short Answer

Mutianyu's visitor route is organised by numbered towers. Towers 1–6 form the east section around the chairlift and toboggan. Towers 7–13 form the middle walking connector between the two ride systems. Towers 14–23 form the western section from the cable car toward Hero Slope and the far-west extension. A few towers matter especially for architecture, route access, or views — use the table below as a quick orientation, then read the tower sections for detail.

Tower / area — why it matters

East Mutianyu Watchtowers: Towers 1–6

The east zone is the chairlift and toboggan side. Full east-route walkers push to Dajiaolou at Tower 1; shorter loops anchor on Tower 6 and optionally dip toward Zhengguantai at Tower 4.

Tower 1 — Dajiaolou (Big Corner Tower)

Approaching Tower 1, Dajiaolou, at the eastern end of the main Mutianyu visitor route.

Tower 1 — Dajiaolou — is the Great Corner Tower at the eastern high point of Mutianyu's open section. The lower level uses crisscrossing vaulted passages for movement and defence. Jingmen, the arched warning gate, sat near this end for vigilance and retreat.

Tower 2 — Steep Eastern Stair Section

Steep restored stairs on the climb through the early eastern towers.

Tower 2 sits on the steep climb west of Dajiaolou. Restored stairs and a handrail help visitors move between the early towers — a clear taste of Mutianyu's stair rhythm before Zhengguantai.

Tower 3 — The Climb Toward Zhengguantai

The restored ridge wall climbing between Towers 3 and 4 toward Zhengguantai.

Tower 3 sits on the climb toward Mutianyu Pass. The wall between Towers 3 and 4 rises along a restored ridge segment before the Zhengguantai platform at Tower 4.

Tower 4 — Zhengguantai

Covered walkway and lattice doors at Zhengguantai / Tower 4.

Zhengguantai at Tower 4 is Mutianyu Pass — a rare three-building hollow watchtower complex. Official plaques note Ming-era command rooms, stores, and soldiers' quarters. Stone cannons on the platform illustrate the wall's gunpowder-era defences.

Tower 5 — Steep Stairs, Cannons and Visitor Details

Steep stair ascent toward Tower 5 on the eastern visitor route.

Tower 5 crowns a demanding stair section on the climb toward Tower 6. Mutianyu provides a legal graffiti wall inside so visitors leave marks on boards instead of historic bricks. General cannons are displayed along the Tower 4–5 path.

Tower 6 — East Route Access Point

Exterior stairs ascending to Tower 6 on the east visitor route.

Tower 6 is the east-route access point: the open chairlift lands here and, when weather and operations allow, the toboggan descends from this side. Official notes describe a 回-shaped watchtower plan with skylight access. Build east-side loops around Tower 6 rather than treating it as a through-point to the west cable car without a long walk. This photograph shows the tower exterior and stairs — not the chairlift or toboggan hardware itself.

Middle Mutianyu Watchtowers: Towers 7–13

The middle zone connects the east chairlift/toboggan system at Tower 6 with the west cable-car system at Tower 14. Expect fewer toilets and food outlets than the ride hubs — carry water. Tower 10 (Glass Steps) and Tower 11 (Outer Branch Wall area) are the signature architecture stops on this connector.

Tower 7

Tower 7 facade with twin walkway arches.

Tower 7 is a 回-shaped watchtower with a stacked interior arch and a west-side wicket gate in official site notes. A horse-face bastion sits between Towers 6 and 7.

Tower 8 — Vaulted Interior

Vaulted interior corridor inside Tower 8.

Tower 8's interior uses arched-channel chambers; official text notes summit access through a central skylight with a wooden ladder. A down-passage wicket gate sits about five metres east of the tower.

Tower 9 — Steep Ridge Approach

Steep stair approach to Tower 9 on the middle ridge.

Tower 9 sits on a high ridge point with a 回/品-shaped plan in official notes and summit access via two central skylights. A displayed general cannon sits on the battlements along this stretch.

Tower 10 — Glass Steps Area

Glass ladder passage and on-site signs near Tower 10.

Tower 10 is Mutianyu's Glass Steps area — a modern glass ladder and glass-step insert on the northern wall climb where you can see Ming-era stones beneath your feet. Official notes describe a 回-shaped plan and a west wicket gate three metres away.

Tower 11 — Middle Ridge and Branch-Wall Area

Ridge descending toward Tower 11 on the middle Mutianyu connector.

Near Tower 11 the middle ridge reaches the Outer Branch Wall area — a two-storey branch tower on a roughly 10 m solid defensive face, connected to but separate from the main ridge. The photograph below shows the high ridge descending toward Tower 11; it is a route context view rather than a close-up of the Outer Branch Wall structure itself.

Tower 12 — Northern Ridge Views

Roofed facade close-up of Tower 12.

Tower 12 sits on the northern ridge with a roofed facade and walkway arches. Official notes describe a 回-shaped interior with dual central skylights. The wide ridge panorama used at the top of this page shows the same middle-zone setting from farther back.

Tower 13

Tower 13 is a quieter middle-zone tower before the west hand-off toward Tower 14. Ming iron cannons are displayed below Towers 5, 9, 10, and 13 on the open wall — allow a few minutes if you are walking the connector with photography stops. We do not currently have a confirmed dedicated Tower 13 photograph in this batch.

West Mutianyu Watchtowers: Towers 14–23

The west zone starts at Tower 14 — west cable car upper station and the default launch point for most first-time visitors. Tower 15 is a common early photo stop; Towers 17–18 hold a classic Ming wall section; Towers 19–20 form the Hero Slope / Hero Platform steep climb with the strongest open-ridge panorama for many walkers. Towers 21–23 reopened as the far-west extension — optional for fit visitors with time, weather, and energy to spare. Entry and exit for the cable car remain at Tower 14; turn back whenever the clock or weather shifts.

• Tower 14 — west cable car hub; safest turnaround for seniors and layover timing.
• Towers 15–16 — early west-ridge photo landmarks on the standard cable-car loop.
• Towers 17–18 — steady mid-route Ming character before the Hero Slope.
• Towers 19–20 — Hero Slope / Hero Platform; steepest classic west section.
• Towers 21–23 — reopened west extension; add only with fitness and buffer time.

Which Mutianyu Watchtowers Should You Prioritize?

FAQ: Mutianyu watchtowers

Plan a Mutianyu visit

Use this tower guide with the map and route pages — towers make more sense once you know whether you are starting east at Tower 6 or west at Tower 14, and how much ridge time you actually have.

Plan a Mutianyu private day