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Simatai Great Wall

The Simatai Great Wall is located in Miyun District, Beijing, adjacent to the Gubei Water Town, 120 kilometers (75 miles) away from the downtown of Beijing and about a two-hour drive. Simatai Great Wall is the only section of the Great Wall of China that preserved its original appearance dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and has been designated as the “Original Great Wall” by UNESCO. Erected on a ridge as sharp as if carved by knives and axes, it is renowned for its precipitous terrain and outstanding night tour experience.

Why Visit the Simatai Rather Than Others

Distinct from other developed sections like Badaling and Mutianyu, renovations here have focused only on essential reinforcement work. Its original appearance is still preserved to let you feel the truly historic atmosphere.

It was ranked first in the list of the "World's Top 25 Scenic Spots" by the Times newspaper in 2012.

Sunset at Simatai Great Wall

A Simatai Great Wall night tour can be undertaken, which will offer you a different viewing experience.

The night tour experience at the Simatai Great Wall is the most spectacular and fascinating of all the Great Wall sections in China.

Mandarin Duck Lake lies at the foot of the wall, with a water town (Gubei Water Town) by the lake. Travelers can experience at the same time the beauty of the water town as well as the grand Great Wall.

Simatai Great Wall

Simatai Great Wall Ruins

Basic Facts of the Simatai Great Wall

Photos

This section was constructed under the supervision of Qi Jiguang, a famous general in the Ming Dynasty.

It stretches 5.4 kilometers (3.4 miles), and is separated into eastern part and western part by Mandarin Duck Lake.

Presently, only the eastern part from Watchtower 1 to watchtower 10, which is 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) in length, has been restored and officially opened.

On the Simatai Great Wall, the watchtowers are densely distributed. The distance between the two closest ones is dozens of meters, while that between the two farthest ones does not exceed 300 meters (330 yards), with an average of merely 140 meters (150 yards).

Beacon towers have various architectural styles. Some are two-storey or three-storey beacon towers, and towers of square shape, oval shape, or hexagonal. The number of arrow holes on each tower also varies, and includes two, three, four, and even 24 holes.

Highlights of the Simatai Great Wall

1. The Simatai Great Wall displays various patterns of construction.

Here, you can not only view the conventional appearance of the Great Wall, with battlements on each side of the track, but also see on steep cliffs the half-wall style, with battlements built only on the outer side. The slope and width also change dramatically depending on the different terrain. Some segments along the gentle slopes are so wide and mild that even horses can walk on them. At other narrow points, only one person at a time is able to pass.

Zigzag Wall

Simatai Great Wall

2. The narrowest Fairy Maiden Tower and the tallest Wangjing Tower

Of the watchtowers, the most distinctive are the Fairy Maiden Tower (East Watchtower 15) and Wangjing Tower (East Watchtower 16). The former is the narrowest watchtower of this section, while the latter occupies the highest point of the whole scenic area. There is an almost vertical stairway with large steps leading to the Fairy Maiden Tower. Built over the sheer cliff, it makes the tower very hard to reach. Due to its danger, it is currently not accessible to tourists and can only be viewed from a distance.

3. Fantastic and charming night tour.

Simatai stands out as one of the rare sections of the Great Wall that presents the opportunity for night tours. When embarking on a night tour, the Great Wall is bathed in a gentle illumination, enabling tourists to traverse its expanse beneath the starlit sky and relish the serenity and placidity of the ambient surroundings. Moreover, night tours offer the added advantage of allowing visitors to evade the daytime throngs and the sweltering summer heat, rendering them an excellent option for those inclined towards a more relaxed and unhurried exploration.

Simatai Great Wall at Night

Recommended Tours

One Day Private Simatai Great Wall Hiking from $139

2-Day Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town Tour from $426

Day Trip to Mutianyu Great Wall from $129

One Day Private Badaling Great Wall Hiking from $89

How to Tour the Simatai Great Wall

The Simatai Great Wall, stretching 5.4 kilometers (3.4 miles) and divided by the Simatai Reservoir, features a total of 39 watchtowers, among which 16 are in the East Watchtower section and 23 in the West Watchtower section. Currently, while the West Watchtower remains closed to the public, the East Watchtowers from No. 1 to No. 10 are accessible. A ropeway connects the entrance to the hillside, from which two walking paths lead to the wall, reaching Watchtower 5 and Watchtower 8. The trail to Watchtower 5 is relatively gentle, whereas the one to Watchtower 8 is extremely steep.

Visitors can choose either a full hike or a combination of hiking and cable car rides. Considering the extremely steep terrain at Simatai, a complete hike demands substantial effort, and the descent steps pose potential hazards. For an enhanced touring experience, taking a cable car is recommended.

Route 1: One-way Cable Car (Most Favored)

- Walk for about 20 minutes from the entrance to reach Watchtower 2.
- Proceed to visit either Watchtower 5 or Watchtower 8.
- Walk to the cable car upper station and descend via cable car.
The entire journey typically takes around 2 hours.
This route is perfect for those who want to combine a bit of walking with the convenience of the cable car and have more time to explore different watchtowers along the way.

Note: The steps from Watchtower 8 to the cable car upper station are extremely steep. In the presence of elderly individuals or children, it is advisable to visit Watchtower 5 instead.

Route 2: Two-way Cable Car (Easiest Option)

- Board the cable car to the cable car upper station.
- Walk to Watchtower 8 and then visit Watchtower 5.
- Return to the cable car upper station and take the cable car down.
The whole trip usually lasts about an hour.
This route is ideal for visitors who prefer a quick and effortless tour, allowing them to enjoy the highlights of the Great Wall without much physical exertion and in a short period of time.

Route 3: Full Hike (Most Challenging, Not Generally Recommended)

Walk from the entrance to Watchtower 2 and then head eastward to Watchtower 10 before retracing the same path. This demands significant courage and endurance. Only those who are good at sports or seeking a personal challenge should consider this route. It generally takes about four to five hours in total.

Simatai Great Wall

Cable Way over the Mountain Slopes

Night Tour Route:

For the night tour, only the area between Watchtower 5 and Watchtower 6 is open, and a round-trip cable car is required. Take the cable car to the upper station, walk to Watchtower 5 for the visit, and then return to the cable car station to exit the Great Wall area.

Further Reading:
Simatai to Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
Ultimate Guide to Visiting Simatai Great Wall at Night

When is the Best Time for a Simatai Great Wall Tour?

Simatai Great Wall Tickets

The best time for a visit is April, May, September, and 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 the best period, because there are few visitors on the Wall and the Simatai Great Wall at night is particularly beautiful.

Simatai Great Wall in Summer

Opening Hours:

Daytime	Entrance	9:00-17:00; Last admission at 16:10; Site clearance starting at 16:30
	Cable car lower station	9:00-16:10
	Cable car upper station	9:00-17:00
Night time	May to October	18:00-21:40
Night time	November to April	Sunday to Tuesday: 17:30-20:10; Friday to Saturday: 17:30-20:40

Tickets:

Daytime Tour:

Entrance Fee	CNY 40; Free for people under 18 and over 60
Entrance Fee + Cable Car (one-way)	CNY 150
Entrance Fee + Cable Car (round-trip)	CNY 220
Entrance Fee + Gubei Water Town	CNY 170
Entrance Fee + Gubei Water Town + Cable Car (one-way)	CNY 260
Entrance Fee + Gubei Water Town + Cable Car (round-trip)	CNY 320

Night Tour:

Entrance Fee + Gubei Water Town + Cable Car (round-trip)	Adult	CNY 280
	＜1.2m (3.9ft)	Free
	1.2m - 1.5m (3.9ft - 4.9 ft)	CNY 160
	Over 60 or under 16	CNY 200

Note: Children under 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) enjoy free cable car rides. For those between 1.2 and 1.5 meters (3.9 - 4.9 feet), a one-way ticket is CNY 70, and a round-trip is CNY 110. But they need to buy tickets on-site upon arriving at the scenic spot.

How to buy the tickets:

Simatai Great Wall tickets can be reserved 10 days in advance either on the official website or the WeChat mini-program of Beijing WTown. It should be noted that reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance. Payment is only available via Alipay and WeChat. Alternatively, tickets can also be obtained through third-party travel agencies. Given the popularity of the attraction, it is highly advisable to book tickets in advance to prevent them from being sold out.

How to get to Simatai Great Wall from Downtown Beijing

Route: Downtown Beijing → Gubei Water Town → Simatai Great Wall

First step: Get to Gubei Water Town

Option 1: Non-stop tourist bus: Dongzhimen ⇔ Gubei Water Town

Boarding Point:

From Dongzhimen: Dongzhimen bus station

From Gubei Water Town: Parking Lot 2

Departure time:

From Dongzhimen: 09:00, 13:00; From Gubei Water Town: 12:00, 17:00

Single Journey Time: 2 hours

Ticket Fare: CNY 48 for a single trip

How to get to Dongzhimen: Take subway Line 2 to Dongzhimen Subway Station, exit from Exit B, or take Line 13 and exit from Exit H to arrive.

Option 2: Non-stop tourist bus: CYTS Building ⇔ Gubei Water Town

Boarding Point:

From CYTS Building: Dongzhimen Subway Station Southwest Exit D, North side of the west gate of CYTS Building;

From Gubei Water Town: Parking Lot 2

Departure time:

From CYTS Building: 10:00; From Gubei Water Town: 14:00

Single Journey Time: 2 hours

Ticket Fare: CNY 48 for a single trip

How to get to the CYTS Building: Take subway Line 2 or Line 13 to Dongzhimen Subway Station, exit from Exit D, and walk about 450 meters (490 yards) south to arrive.

Option 3: Bus 980

Take Bus 980/980 Express from Dongzhimen to Miyun Xidaqiao Station and then change to Miyun Bus 51 to Gubei Water Town. The journey takes about 3.5 hours and costs CNY 28.

Option 4: By S5 train
Take the S5 train from Beijing North Railway Station or Qinghe Railway Station to Gubeikou Railway Station, and then take the shuttle bus to Gubei Water Town. The ticket price is CNY 12 and the whole journey takes about 2.5 hours.

Departure time:

From Beijing North Railway Station: 06:58, 14:20

From Qinghe Railway Station: 07:12, 14:34

Gubeikou Station Shuttle Bus: 9:40, 17:50

Return time:

From Gubeikou Railway Station: 10:00, 17:20

Gubei Water Town Shuttle Bus: 8:40, 15:50

Step 2: Get to Simatai Great Wall

Take the free shuttle bus from the Entrance of the Gubei Water Town to Simatai Great Wall, which departs at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00 and returns at 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 and 16:30.

If you purchase a ticket to Gubei Water Town, you can walk through the ancient town to the entrance of Simatai Great Wall.

Tips for Visiting the Simatai Great Wall

1. After visiting the Simatai Great Wall, you can choose to stay in Gubei Water Town for one night to enjoy the scenery of the ancient town with blue bricks and gray tiles, taste local snacks, and watch performances such as acrobatics and shadow puppetry.

Gubei Water Town

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

3. Check the weather in advance to avoid traveling in bad weather.

4. The terrain of the Great Wall is undulating, so wear comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes. Also, choose appropriate clothing according to the season. In summer, pay attention to sun protection by bringing hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc. In winter, keep warm by wearing down jackets, hats, scarves, gloves, etc.