Beijing, Beijing
The Brickyard at Mutianyu
Great Wall at dawn: 22-room boutique retreat at Mutianyu, morning wall walks before the crowds, TCM spa, and northern Chinese farm cuisine 70 km from Beijing
Film
Stories from the place
Films and moments from The Brickyard at Mutianyu.
Overview
About the stay
Highlights
The experience
Dawn on the Ming dynasty ramparts
The Mutianyu wall in pre-sunrise light — the most atmospheric Great Wall access available from any hotel in China, on a morning walk before the cable cars open.
Autumn wall and forest
October in the Juyong Valley — gold and red forest against grey Ming-dynasty stone, the image that makes the Brickyard's autumn season its most celebrated.
Room with Great Wall view
22 rooms where the wall is visible from the window — the most direct relationship between accommodation and one of the world's great historical structures.
Village brick hotel
The converted tile factory in its Ming village setting — architecture that belongs to the place rather than being placed upon it.
Stay
Your journey
- 1
Drive northeast into the mountains
The Beijing urban sprawl gives way to Huairou's mountains within an hour — the Juyong Valley closes in and the Great Wall appears on the ridgeline above.
- 2
Pre-dawn wall walk
Leave at 6 AM on the forest trail — 20 minutes to the wall, in autumn mist or winter frost, the watchtowers emerging from cloud above you. The Mutianyu ramparts before any other visitor arrives.
- 3
Sunrise on the battlements
The sun breaking over the Juyong Valley from the Ming watchtower — the wall running east and west as far as visible, Beijing invisible to the southwest, Mongolian steppe implied to the north.
- 4
TCM morning treatment
Return from the wall for tuina or cupping in the spa — the combination of physical exertion and therapeutic bodywork in a historical landscape is distinctive.
- 5
Village and garden lunch
Chestnuts roasted in the Huairou tradition, mountain vegetables, Huairou lamb — the northern Chinese table with Beijing's mountains as backdrop.
Packages
Ways to stay
Great Wall Retreat Stay
From ~CNY 1,500/night — confirm at brickyardmutianyu.com
Brick room or suite with Great Wall views, organic breakfast, and forest trail wall access.
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More of the place
Good to know
Practical details
The Brickyard is at No. 1 Mutianyu Village, Huairou District, Beijing 101407 — approximately 70 km northeast of central Beijing. By car or taxi: approximately 1–1.5 hours via G101 Jingcheng Expressway to Huairou, then follow signs to Mutianyu. The hotel can arrange transfers from central Beijing hotels or Capital Airport (PEK). Confirm current routing and transfer options on booking.
minimumStay
2-night minimum typical — confirm at brickyardmutianyu.com.
children
Confirm child suitability for Great Wall hiking terrain.
cancellation
See brickyardmutianyu.com for current cancellation terms.
What makes Mutianyu the best Great Wall section for a retreat experience?
Mutianyu is widely considered the finest accessible Great Wall section near Beijing: substantively restored without being over-commercialised, with genuine Ming-dynasty watchtowers and ramparts, dramatic topography, and the forest backdrop that makes it visually spectacular. Unlike Badaling (15 km of crowds), Mutianyu is manageable and retains character. The Brickyard's position below the wall allows pre-dawn access via the hiking trail — when the wall is yours entirely.
Can I walk to the Great Wall from the Brickyard?
Yes — a 20-minute forest trail from the hotel leads to the Mutianyu wall access point. The Brickyard can arrange early-morning guided walks to the wall before the cable car opens (typically 8:30 AM) and before day visitor tour groups arrive. This is the defining experience of a stay at the Brickyard: the Mutianyu ramparts in the early morning light, without crowds.
How far is the Brickyard from central Beijing?
The Brickyard is in Mutianyu Village, Huairou District, approximately 70 km northeast of central Beijing. By car: approximately 1–1.5 hours via the Jingcheng Expressway (G101) depending on Beijing traffic. The hotel can arrange transfers from central Beijing or Capital Airport (PEK), which is approximately 50 km to the south.
What is the best time of year to visit the Brickyard?
Autumn (October–early November) is the most celebrated period: the Huairou Valley forests turn gold and red against the grey Ming-dynasty stone, and clear autumn skies deliver the best Great Wall visibility. Spring (April–May) brings green forest emergence. Winter has the wall in snow — stark and magnificent. Summer is green but hazy, with potential for rain.
What is the organic garden at the Brickyard?
The Brickyard maintains a kitchen garden in the village that produces vegetables, herbs, and seasonal produce for the restaurant. Northern Chinese cuisine here uses local Huairou produce: chestnuts (the Huairou district is famous for its chestnut production), walnuts, mountain vegetables, and the lamb and pork of the Beijing countryside. The farm-to-table orientation is genuine.
How do I book at The Brickyard at Mutianyu?
Book direct at https://www.brickyardmutianyu.com/rooms-suites. MindReach connects ready travellers with The Brickyard at Mutianyu — we do not take room bookings or spa reservations.
How do I contact The Brickyard at Mutianyu?
Phone: +86 10 6162 6506. Email: info@brickyardmutianyu.com. Website: https://www.brickyardmutianyu.com
Who is The Brickyard at Mutianyu ideal for?
Beijing visitors who want the Great Wall experience without the Badaling crowds Photography enthusiasts seeking dawn Great Wall access in autumn foliage season Wellness guests combining TCM spa with a unique historical landscape immersion North American China travellers wanting to understand the Great Wall as landscape rather than attraction Couples seeking the most atmospheric and private Great Wall accommodation available
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Questions for this stay
Stay-specific prompts — opens the MindReach getaway planner.
- What makes the Mutianyu Great Wall section the best for an overnight stay?
- Can I walk to the Great Wall from the Brickyard at dawn?
- When is the best time to visit the Brickyard for autumn foliage and clear skies?
- How far is the Brickyard from central Beijing?
- What is the food like at the Brickyard at Mutianyu?
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