In summer, greenery spreads across the mountain ridges at Mutianyu, and the Great Wall winds through the forest like a giant dragon. Wind blows through the watchtowers, carrying the scent of plants and echoes of history. This place offers more than spectacular scenery — it represents a lasting commitment to preserving a thousand-year-old civilization within a healthy natural environment.
Zero-Carbon Destination: Green Practices Guided by ESG Principles
In 2025, Mutianyu Great Wall Scenic Area was included in the second "Zero-Carbon Destination · Pioneer List", jointly published by Chinese National Geography and CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited).
Under China's "dual carbon" strategy, the company follows ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles to build a low-carbon scenic area. Key measures include:
Optimizing energy structure
Reducing pollution emissions
Promoting green office practices
Shuttle buses, cable cars, and restaurants in the scenic area have all been fully electrified. This initiative reflects the responsibility of state-owned enterprises in environmental protection and climate resilience, contributing to China's broader ecological civilization goals.
Great Wall Conservation: "Protection First" as a Core Principle
As a major national cultural heritage site, Mutianyu Great Wall has always prioritized "protection first" in its restoration work.
A professional restoration team operates on-site, strictly following the "four originals" standard:
Original materials
Original form
Original structure
Original craftsmanship
Using traditional techniques, the team carries out targeted repairs — described as "minimally invasive surgery" — to address structural damage while preserving the Wall's historic appearance.
Additional protection measures include:
Tempered glass covering on worn steps — protects original bricks while ensuring visitor safety
Designated graffiti wall — gives visitors a place to leave messages without damaging the Wall itself
"Zero-waste" campaign — encourages visitors to carry all trash off the mountain
Balancing Protection and Development: Turning Green Landscapes into Value
Protection does not mean locking heritage away. Instead, cultural heritage should be revitalized through sustainable development.
Mutianyu uses a "Great Wall +" model to advance both ecological protection and economic value. Visitors describe the experience as "historically rich yet comfortably modern."
Seasonal events drive tourism throughout the year:
Spring: Mountain Flower Festival
Summer: Night Tours
Autumn: Red Leaf Festival
Winter: Ice and Snow Season
Service upgrades include the customized "Great Wall Privilege" experience. Cultural and creative products are designed with authentic cultural elements, so visitors can "take home cultural memories."
All development respects ecological limits — because protecting the natural environment ensures the Great Wall's value can be passed on to future generations.
No.20–23 Watchtowers: A Showcase of Minimal-Intervention Conservation
This year, No.20–23 Watchtowers of Mutianyu Great Wall officially opened to the public. This section, called a "hidden gem in the clouds," serves as a model for ecological conservation.
About 500 meters long and located west of No.20 Watchtower (the highest point on the western section), this stretch of the Wall was closed for many years due to disrepair.
During restoration, the scenic area followed a "healing-style" conservation approach:
Archaeology comes first
Intervention is kept to a minimum
Rather than fully rebuilding or "refurbishing" the Wall, only collapsed sections were stabilized for safety. Weathered bricks and native plants were left untouched, preserving the wild, authentic beauty of the "original Great Wall."
Mutianyu Great Wall demonstrates that environmental protection and economic development can go hand in hand.
This summer, experience the harmony of nature and history at Mutianyu. Walk through forests with 96% vegetation coverage, touch the thousand-year-old bricks of the Great Wall, and appreciate how ecological stewardship keeps this heritage alive.
