Simatai Great Wall: 2025 Ultimate Guide to History, Hiking & Hidden Gems

The Simatai Great Wall is the most authentic section of the Great Wall of China, as the Wall still retains the original appearance as it was built 600 years ago, which is also its uniqueness. Although not as popular as Badaling and Mutianyu sections, its authenticity, renowned for steepness, queerness, and intactness, still allures many historical fans and hiking enthusiasts.

The Great Wall of China Simatai section is situated in Gubeikou Town, Miyun District of Beijing, next to the Gubei Water Town. It is 120km (75 miles), about a 2-hour drive, from Beijing to the Simatai Great Wall. This article will show you some things about the Simatai Great Wall in terms of hiking tours, night tour experience, transportation, and some practical tips.

Why Visit Simatai Great Wall?

The Simatai Great Wall was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site and named the Original Great Wall by UNESCO in 1987. The Simatai section is viewed as the representative one of the Great Wall, which is the only Ming-era section retaining original features. A well-known ancient architect in China, Luo Zhewen, once called it the Top of the Great Wall of China. In addition to that, this architectural site earned its fame around the world. Simatai Great Wall was rated as the top of the 25 Scenic Spots You Can’t Miss in the World by The Times. Besides those titles, the Simatai of the Great Wall is distinctly characterized by the fascinating night view, which can offer sightseers an unparalleled experience.

History of Simatai Great Wall

The Simatai Great Wall was originally built in 1373 during the early Ming Dynasty to defend against remnants of the Mongols and the northern nomads. Later, it was reconstructed and implemented for many years, and developed into a consolidated defense line to protect the Gubeikou Great Wall, composed of the Jinshanling Great Wall, the Simatai Great Wall, the Panlongshan, and the Wohushan.

The Simatai section was served over three emperors during the Ming Dynasty to worship ancestors and hunt. In addition to military parades, emperors spent the summer here and wrote poetry. Some of the supportive infrastructure, like cable cars, was added to part of the existing sections for the convenience of visitors. This introduction facilitates visitors’ admiration of the magnificent views of the Wall.

Top Things to Do on Great Wall

Simatai Great Wall Hike

Hiking the Great Wall is a must-visit project, especially for hiking enthusiasts or people who seek a challenging walking trail. The terrain presents a gradual ascent from Tower 1 to Tower 10 with various slope angles. The hiking return trip from No.1 to 10 Watchtowers is physically demanding, and more suitable for veterans, which usually takes 5 hours. Hiking from the first to the tenth tower, then taking the cable car to descend, will be the majority choice, which saves more physical energy and enables passengers to enjoy diverse landscapes.

Simatai Great Wall Night Tour

The night tour in the Simatai section can be a highlight, and the first Wall, offering a fascinating night tour for people all year round. When the sunset approaches, gold on the Wall dissolves in the sunset’s glow. In the evening, it provides a unique view of the Simatai Great Wall against the backdrop of the sky dotted with soft stars, and city lights from surrounding towns. The flow of the river and the singing of the bugs from surrounding bushes add some vitality to this picture. The lantern on hand sets the romantic mood for night explorers.

Night Tour Route: Only Tower 5 and Tower 6 are open for night viewing. If you reserve the night ticket, you can appreciate both sunset and evening scenery. When the night falls, tourists can take a ride on the cable car to the upper station and walk to the No.5 Watchtower. After the night viewing, descend through the cable car from the same station.

Gubei Water Town Exploration

The Gubei Water Town, aka Beijing WTown, sits at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, 120 km away from Beijing. After trekking through the Wall, you can continually explore this ancient town to admire the serenity of the town and the Simatai Great Wall of China at night.

Yuanyang Lake Boat Ride

The Yuanyang Lake in the Simatai is divided into two parts, the eastern section and the western one. Its name originated from the two springs, mixed with the hot spring and the cold spring. The hot spring keeps running all year round, and the cold one just sits 100 meters away. Taking a boat ride, you can enjoy the forested mountains reflecting on the lake. Or you can spend a night here to enjoy a soak in a hot spring to relieve pressure.

Suggested Routes to Explore Simatai Great Wall

The Simatai Great Wall stretches 5.4 km (3.4 miles), with 39 watchtowers. 16 watchtowers exist in the eastern part and 23 ones in the western section, which remains inaccessible to the public. Eastern section from No.1 to No.10 Watchtowers are available for sightseers. For a rich trip experience, most people tend to choose the route combined with hiking and cable cars.

Route 1: Cable Car for a Single Way
Hike from the entrance to No.2 Watchtower, continually head for the No.5 Watchtower or No.8 Watchtower near the upper station, from which you can descend by cable car. Choosing this itinerary, you can enjoy the views in 2 different ways, combined with hiking and the convenience brought by the cable car. This route is recommended and the top choice for most visitors, taking you around 2 hours.

Route 2: Cable Car for a Round-trip
Take a cable car from the entrance to the cable car upper station, then proceed to visit from the No.8 Watchtower to the No.5 Watchtower. Finally, take the cable car down. This route will take you about 1 hour and allow you to visit the most highlight section of the Simatai in such a short time, which saves your energy to a maximum extent.

Route 3: Round Trip on Foot
Hike from the entrance to Tower 2, and keep heading east for Tower 10, then take a round trip in the same way. This route is more suitable for professional hikers or people who seek personal challenges with strong physical strength and perseverance. The whole process approximately takes you 4 or 5 hours.

Best Time to Visit Simatai Great Wall

The best time to visit the Simatai section is spring and autumn. During the hike, you can be accompanied by lush greenery in spring and indulge yourself in maple forests in autumn.

In spring, from March to May, a few people pay a visit during this period, so you can enjoy a green world covered with lush vegetation and warm weather.

In summer, the peak season from June to August, the temperature will rise and get hotter. The Wall will be packed with visitors, because the summer vacation comes in July and ends in August. To avoid the crowds and summer heat, a night visit will be better.

In autumn, from September to November, sightseers can enjoy the moderate weather and crisp air. The mountains will be scattered with maple leaves this season, as if stepping into a maple wonder. During this period, it can be the second travel rush.

In winter, from December to February, it gets colder. Fewer tourists pay a visit, so you can fully enjoy a tranquil trip. If it snows, layers of snow coat the mountains and the Wall, which is suitable for a daytime tour. But you should pay attention to the slippery.

How to Get to Simatai Great Wall from Beijing

By Bus

By Tourist Bus

By Train

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Gubeikou Great Wall Travel Essentials & Tips

Entrance Fees

Simatai Great Wall tickets for the day tour are as follows for your reference:

Ticket Price Entrance Ticket 40 RMB (free for kids under 18 and seniors over 60) Cable Car 90 RMB for a single trip; 160 RMB for a round trip Entrance Ticket + Cable Car (one-way) 150 RMB Entrance Ticket + Cable Car (round-trip) 220 RMB Entrance Ticket + Cable Car (one-way) + Gubei Water Town 260 RMB Entrance Ticket + Cable Car (round-trip) + Gubei Water Town 320 RMB

Admission Fees of the Night Tour:

Entrance Ticket + Cable Car (round-trip) + Gubei Water Town Adult 280 RMB Children from 1.2m to 1.5m 160 RMB People aged under 16 or over 60 200 RMB Children under 1.2m FREE for Ticket

Opening Hours

Tour Type Period Opening Hour Daytime Tour 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Night Tour November to April 5:30 pm - 8:10 pm (Weekdays) 5:30 pm - 8:40 pm (Weekends) May to October 5:30 pm - 9:10 pm (Weekdays) 5:30 pm - 9:40 pm (Weekends)

Hiking Tips

1. Pack some essential stuff. This includes hiking shoes, trekking sticks, a backpack, an umbrella, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and camera equipment.
2. Physical condition. People with heart attacks, arthritis, asthma, or getting drunk are not advised to hike.
3. Go to the toilet before hiking. There is no toilet on the Wall. Therefore, you’d better go to the toilet at the entrance in advance.
4. Check the weather. Make sure your hiking starts in suitable weather. Hiking in rainy, stormy, or snowy weather is not recommended.
5. Evade entering forbidden areas. Currently, Towers from 1 to 10 in the east are accessible. Out of your security, do not enter the rest of the steep and unsafe sections, like Single-sided Wall.

Nearby Attractions & Tours

Gubei Water Town

This national tourist resort, with full facilities, was originally built based on the northern culture, with some similar elements to Wuzhen, which is the reason why it is named Wuzhen in Beijing. You can spend one night here to savor local delicacies and enjoy the night view of this quaint ancient town.

Combine with Jinshanling Great Wall

The Jinshanling Great Wall sits to the east of the Simatai section, which has become a popular destination for many visitors after hiking through the Simatai due to its distance. A chain bridge connects two sections of Simatai, with a river flowing through the middle. On the other side of the bridge is the western section, in the west of which sits the Jinshanling.

The bridge is blocked now. You can take a taxi from the Simatai scenic area to the Jinshanling Great Wall. It is said that Jinshanling stands out among all Great Wall sections, to which domestic and foreign visitors gravitate to catch a glimpse of its magnificence and uniqueness.

FAQs about Simatai Great Wall

1. Is the Simatai Great Wall wheelchair-friendly?

It is not suitable for wheelchair users, due to its steep terrain. There are many steps to reach the Wall.

2. Which great wall section to visit: Simatai or Mutianyu?

According to your itinerary. Mutianyu Great Wall has more foot traffic. If you are prepared to go to other scenic spots in downtown Beijing or want to choose the Wall with less steep climbing, Mutianyu is a good choice. But if you prefer an authentic hiking experience, to experience the original charm. Simatai will be better.

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