CIBR Students Enjoy Autumn Hike at Mutianyu Great Wall

Autumn in Beijing is a poetic collision between crystal‑clear blue skies and vividly hued forests, and a bold, rich painting jointly created by ancient urban charm and mountain wilderness. To enrich extracurricular life, promote interaction among students and strengthen collective cohesion, the CIBR Student Union successfully organized a group autumn outing on November 1, 2025. Over 50 CIBR students visited the Mutianyu Great Wall in Huairou, Beijing, for an autumn‑viewing hike, spending an unforgettable time where historic relics merge with natural beauty.

All participating students gathered at the Institute of Brain Science at 9 a.m. that day. After receiving hiking supplies, they departed for the destination by chartered bus. Along the way, autumn scenery unfolded like a painting outside the windows: golden ginkgo leaves lined the roads, while Chinese flame trees and smoketrees bloomed in varying shades of crimson. Fallen leaves danced gently in the wind. Students gazed in admiration, full of anticipation for the upcoming trip to the Great Wall.

CIBR students took a group photo at the entrance of the Great Wall

Scenery Along the Way

Upon arriving at the foot of Mutianyu Great Wall, the winding ramparts stood against the crystal‑clear blue sky. The grey‑blue city bricks formed a striking contrast with mountain forests woven with red, yellow, orange and green hues, painting a magnificent autumn scroll.

To cater to different preferences, three classic sightseeing routes were designed for the activity. Some students chose to hike uphill step by step along stone steps, experiencing the poetic mood of “ascending higher step by step to admire northern autumn scenery”. The bricks underfoot bore the weight of history, while nearby woods exuded fresh herbal fragrance. Others took cable cars directly to the watchtowers, enjoying a comfortable ride with a bird’s‑eye view of the Great Wall snaking like a giant dragon across lofty mountains. On the way back, many opted for the dry‑land luge downhill. Gliding along tracks hidden among trees, with howling wind and companions’ laughter, they added dynamic fun to the traditional tour.

On the Great Wall, students wandered between watchtowers and crenellations. Brushing their fingers against weather‑beaten bricks, they felt the flow of history. Many captured moments where autumn scenery met ancient relics with their cameras: golden autumn leaves set off the towering towers, and the azure sky served as a pure backdrop. Leaning against railings to gaze afar, the vicissitudes of frontier ruins echoed the skyline of modern cities beyond distant mountains, creating a unique scene of past and present intertwined. This allowed students to deeply appreciate the grandeur of the motherland’s magnificent landscapes.

Some even climbed to the beacon towers deep in the scenic area. Standing high and looking far, they took in the frontier scenery and suburban Beijing’s autumn hues. The cool mountain breeze brushed their faces, and the ancient Great Wall together with colorful autumn views presented a spectacular and profound visual feast.

Overlooking the winding Great Wall amid autumn scenery

Happy Companions Amid Autumn Scenery of the Great Wall

Throughout the journey, students walked side by side, looked after one another, shared beautiful views, and chatted about life and studies, filling the Great Wall with laughter and joy. Stray cats encountered along the way darted nimbly among the woods and glanced around from time to time, bringing unexpected fun and liveliness to the pleasant atmosphere.

Unexpected little visitors along the way added fun to the journey

Through diverse route planning and rich landscape experiences, this autumn outing to Mutianyu Great Wall enabled students to step out of laboratories, get close to nature and connect with history amid their research studies. It not only helped them relax physically and mentally, but also deepened friendship among students, strengthened group cohesion, and injected new vitality into their subsequent research life.

In the future, the CIBR Student Union will continue to focus on students’ growth needs, organize more outdoor activities integrating nature, history and culture, build a high‑quality platform for communication and interaction, and help students achieve all‑round development through a balanced work‑life routine.