Simatai Great Wall

 The steps in the opened part are in sound condition and not very steep. The rest of this part may not be safe and not recommended to visit. This includes the Fairy Maiden Tower and Wangjing Tower. However, it's still worthwhile to admire these two towers from No. 10 East Tower. Standing at the top of the lofty mountains, they look magnificent even from a distance.

 If one insists on hiking the unopened eastern part, be well prepared with professional hiking equipment.

 Since the western part is closed, hiking from Simatai to Jinshanling is not allowed.

 The wall was built along steep ridges. So, more energy is needed for ascent. Generally, it takes around two and a half hours hiking to reach the East No. 10 Tower, and around an hour for descend.

 If you feel it too difficult to go the whole way walking, a cable car is available to save your energy. After reaching the cable car upper terminal, there are two footpaths leading to the East No. 5 Tower and East No. 8 Tower respectively.

 Only the segment between No. 5 East Tower and No. 6 East Tower is opened for the night tour. Visitors are required to take the round-trip cable car.

 Further Reading: Simatai to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking

Simatai Great Wall at Night

Because of the damage in some parts, in order to let visitors have a safe and pleasant tour, tourist number is limited in each time interval. To guarantee a visit upon arrival, you'd better make a reservation in advance.

 If you intend to climb Simatai Great Wall only, you should make an online reservation one to ten days in advance at www.wtown.com, using a valid ID certificate like passport. After booking, you will get a confirmation message. Upon arrival, buy the entry ticket at the visitor center square using the reservation confirmation message and your ID certificate. From the square, you will be guided to the shuttle bus to the Great Wall. The ticketing service is only available at 10:00, 12:00, and 14:00, so, you should arrange your itinerary well.

 Visitors who have not made a reservation in advance are not guaranteed a ticket when they arrive. They will only be given a ticket if the number of tourists with reservations doesn't reach the limit.

The best time for a visit is April, May, September, or October. In April, May, and September, the warm weather is very comfortable for visitors. With lush plants covering the mountain, the winding wall looks like a dragon lying on a green sea. In October, red leaves cover the ridge, offering you another wonderful scene.

In one day, morning time or at night is are the best period, because there are little of visitors on the Wall and the Simatai Great Wall at night is particularly beautiful. 

Zigzag Wall

Cable Way over the Mountain Slopes

 

How to get to Simatai Great Wall from Downtown Beijing

Take subway line 2 or line 13 to Dongzhimen Station.
1. Take a tourist bus from Dongzhimen to Gubei Water Town directly, which takes about 2 hours and costs CNY 48 for a single trip. The buses depart at 8:00, 9:00, 12:00, and 15:30, and one more bus at 14:00 in during weekends and holidays. The returning buses depart at 13:00, 17:00 and 21:00, and one more bus at 19:00 during weekends and holidays.
2. Take Bus 980/ 980 Express from Dongzhimen to Miyun Xidaqiao and then change to Miyun Bus 51 to Gubei Shuizhen (Gubei Water Town).
 

 Although there are food stalls on the wall, they are not cheap; it is recommended you bring some snacks and bottled water with you.

 If you also buy a ticket for Gubei Water Town, you can have a meal in the town after your visit to the Great Wall. The water town is also a great place to stay overnight.

 If you don't plan to visit the water town, you can go to the Simatai Folk Culture Village for dining and accommodation. It is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Gubei Water Town. You can get there by bus Mi 51. Get off at Shalingzi Station and you will find the village.