Simatai Great Wall – Primitive Scenery & Attractive Night View

Discover Simatai Great Wall: The Untouched Gem of China's Heritage

Located in the northeast outskirts of Beijing, Simatai Great Wall is adjacent to Gubei Water Town. It is listed as one of the representative sections of the Great Wall and is recognized as a World Heritage Site. Simatai is the only ancient architectural site in China that retains the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty and has never been restored. It was designated as the "Primitive Great Wall" by UNESCO. A famous architect once commented that, "While China's Great Wall is the most famous, the Simatai section is reputed to be the finest." In 2012, Simatai Great Wall was rated by the British Times as one of the "Top 25 Scenic Spots in the World That Cannot Be Missed."

☛ Top Recommended Simatai Great Wall Tours

4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

Itinerary: Beijing / Jinshanling / Simatai / Gubeikou Water Town / Beijing
Highlights: Jinshanling Great Wall, Simatai Great Wall Evening Sightseeing, Gubei Water Town

History of Simatai Great Wall

Simatai Great Wall was built from 1368 to 1398 during the early Ming Dynasty. It is the only ancient section that preserves the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty's Great Wall. Later, from 1465 to 1487, the Great Wall was renovated and extended to strengthen defenses. After more than ten years of construction, it became a solid defensive line with high walls, abutments, and beacon towers. During the Qing Dynasty, the Great Wall of Simatai hosted more than three emperors for ancestor worship and hunting. Emperor Kangxi (康熙) spent summers here, and Emperor Qianlong (乾隆) held military parades, leaving behind many poems for future generations. In 2010, protective measures were implemented based on the existing Great Wall, introducing a single-line circulating detachable cable car designed with the latest technology from France's Pomagalski. This allows visitors to easily access and appreciate the magnificent Simatai Great Wall. Currently, the scenic area open to travelers includes 10 towers, namely No. 1 to No. 10 Towers.

Simatai Great Wall Layout

The Simatai Great Wall, divided by the Simatai Reservoir, stretches 5.4 km and features a total of 39 watchtowers—16 to the east and 23 to the west. Currently, the western watchtowers are not open to the public, and visitors can explore the area from East No. 1 to No. 10 towers. The towers beyond No. 10 in the east are also closed. A ropeway connects the entrance to the hillside, from which two walking path (approximately a 20-minute walk) leads to the wall, reaching No. 5 and No. 8 Tower.

Unique Simatai Great Wall Experience

Simatai Great Wall Hiking

Hiking the Great Wall is a must for any hiking enthusiasts visiting Beijing or China. For travelers seeking a challenging trek along a more primitive section, Simatai comes highly recommended. Unlike other sections with varying elevations, the Simatai Great Wall features a nearly continuous ascent from Tower No. 1 to Tower No. 10. For a more demanding hiking experience without using the cable car, expect to spend about 5 hours hiking from the entrance to Tower No. 2, then continuing up to Tower No. 10 and back down. Many hikers choose to return to Tower No. 8 and walk to the cable car station for a ride down, which saves energy and offers a change of scenery. This alternative route typically takes about 2 to 3 hours in total.

Hiking the Steep Sections of Simatai Wall

2 Days Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall Scenic Hiking Tour

Itinerary: Beijing / Jinshanling / Simatai
Highlights: Jinshanling Great Wall, Simatai Great Wall

Simatai Great Wall Night Visit

While several sections of the Great Wall are open at night, Simatai Great Wall is the first and most beautiful for nighttime views. There are two types of tickets available: day tickets and night tickets, each with different access times. The area open for night visits is the section of the wall between Tower No. 5 and Tower No. 6. As night falls, you can take a cable car to experience the stunning nightscape of Simatai, lantern in hand. You'll see the lights glowing in the town below, surrounded by tranquil mountains, shimmering lights, and a starry sky. The lantern adds a romantic touch, inspiring a desire to explore life with loved ones.

If you book a night ticket, you can enjoy daytime views and witness the breathtaking sunset over the wall as night approaches, provided you visit between May and early October. However, travelers with a day ticket cannot stay on the wall until nightfall.

Simatai Great Wall Night View

4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

Itinerary: Beijing / Jinshanling / Simatai / Gubeikou Water Town / Beijing
Highlights: Jinshanling Great Wall, Simatai Great Wall Evening Sightseeing, Gubei Water Town

Amazing Surrounding Views from Simatai Great Wall

Beyond the wall itself, the Simatai Great Wall presents breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. As you hike along its ancient pathways, you'll be treated to a stunning panorama of rolling mountains, lush forests, and winding rivers. At the foot of the Great Wall lies the charming Gubei Water Town, which adds to the overall beauty of the area, creating a perfect backdrop for your visit. The combination of the Great Wall's majestic structure with the serene waters and historical buildings of Gubei Water Town offers a unique experience that captures the essence of China's natural and cultural heritage.

Simatai Great Wall Surrounding Views

2 Days Gubei Water Town & Simatai Night Great Wall Tour

Itinerary: Beijing / Simatai / Jinshanling
Highlights: Gubei Water Town, Simatai Great Wall, Jinshanling Great Wall

Magical Yuanyang Lake at the Foot of Simatai

On the west side of Simatai Great Wall, a hot spring flows year-round, while a cold spring is located just 100 meters away. Locals have affectionately named the lake with both hot and cold springs "Yuanyang Lake." (In Chinese, "yuanyang" refers to a type of lovebird that is always seen in pairs.) On sunny days, you can visit the lake by boat and see the mountains, trees, and the Great Wall reflected in the rippling water. It is said that soldiers who built the Great Wall would come to this hot spring to bathe and relieve their pressure and fatigue. If you're interested, you can also visit the hot spring site to enjoy a soak.

Viewing Yuanyang Lake from Simatai Great Wall

Recommended Simatai Great Wall Visiting Routes

Visitors can choose from various routes to explore Simatai Great Wall. Here are two commonly used hiking routes for your reference:

Night-sightseeing Route: Take the cable car up to the No. 5 Tower, hike between No. 5 and No. 6 Towers to enjoy the night views, and then take the cable car back down to the foot of the mountain.

Energy-saving Route: Take the cable car to the No. 5 east watchtower, then hike to the No. 8 watchtower, passing several other watchtowers along the way. You can take the cable car down from No. 8.

Moderate Hiking Route: Hike along the trail from the entrance to the No. 2 watchtower, then continue to either the No. 5 or No. 8 watchtower. You can take the cable car down from this point. This route is longer and recommended for daytime visits.

Challenging Hiking Route: Hike from the entrance to the No. 2 watchtower, then continue all the way to the No. 10 watchtower before descending back.

Simatai Great Wall Entrance Fee

◣ Simatai Great Wall Entrance Fee: CNY 40

◣ Combo Ticket (Gubei Water Town entrance plus Simatai Great Wall): CNY 170

◣ Cable Car: CNY 90 (One-Way); CNY 160 (Round-Trip)

◣ Simatai Great Wall Night Entrance Fee (including Round-Trip Cable Car and Gubei Water Town entrance): CNY 280

Note: Since Simatai Great Wall is located within the Gubei Water Town Scenic Area, you will need to purchase the combo ticket if you wish to visit both sites. If you only want to visit Simatai Great Wall, you must book your visit online at least one day in advance due to preservation efforts. Additionally, all visitors planning to visit Simatai Great Wall at night must purchase a round-trip cable car ticket for safety reasons. Please note that ticket prices may vary by season.

Best Time to Visit Simatai Great Wall

Simatai can be visited year-round, but the best times to explore the Simatai Great Wall for the most comfortable climate are from March to June and September to October. In spring, the lush vegetation covering the mountains makes the winding wall resemble a dragon resting on a green sea. In autumn, the red leaves blanket the ridges, creating another stunning scene. In winter, you can enjoy the tranquility with very few crowds and the occasional snowfall. Avoid the Chinese holidays such as the National Holiday (1st-7th Oct) and the hot summer days, but you can have water fun at the nearby Gubei Water Town instead. Also, Simatai Great Wall is the only section opened with Night tour available, don't miss the stunning nightscape.>> Best Time to Visit the Great Wall

Simatai Great Wall Opening Time

Daytime: Apr. - Oct.: 8:00 - 18:00; Nov.- Mar.: 8:00 - 17:30 (Site-cleared at 16:30)

Night: Apr. - Oct.: 18:00 - 22:00; Nov.- Mar.: 17:30 - 21:00 (Mon. - Fri.), 17:30 - 21:30 (Weekends)

Our Guests Visiting Simatai Great Wall in December

Location & How to Get to Simatai Great Wall

Located in the northeast of Beijing outskirts, Simatai Great Wall is adjacent to Gubei Water Town.

◣ Location: Simatai, Gubei Ancient Town, Miyun District, Beijing北京市密云区古北水镇司马台村

There are usually 2 ways to get to Simatai Great Wall from Beijing downtown.

Option 1: By car - fast and comfortable, about 3 hours

Many taxi drivers are not willing to take you to Simatai , since it is too far. If you want to save the transportation troubles, you can choose the private car service provided by China Discovery. We will pick you up from your hotel and send you to the great wall safely with comfortable vehicles, skilled drivers, and professional guides. ☛ Contact us now

Option 2: By bus - economical, 3.5-4 hours

There are two bus choices. The first one: Simatai Tourist Bus. You can get on the bus at Dongzhimen Outer Bus Station (东直门外汽车站 Pinyin: Dongzhimen Wai Qichezhan) and get off at Gubei Ancient Town. The direct tourist bus from downtown Beijing to Simatai only departs about 4 times a day from 8:00am to 15:30pm. Besides the tourist bus, you can choose to take the city bus 980 at Dongzhimen Bus Station (东直门汽车站 Pinyin: Dongzhimen Qichezhan) to Miyun Bus Station (密云汽车站 Pinyin: Miyun Qichezhan) and transfer to Bus 51 to Simatai Scenic Area where you can walk to Simatai Great Wall within half an hour.

☛ How to Get to Simatai Great Wall

☛ Travel from Beijing Airport to Great Wall

☛ Get from Beijing City to Great Wall

Attractions Around Simatai Great Wall

Gubei Water Town

Gubei WaterTown is located in Simatai Village, Miyun District, Beijing, at the foot of Simatai Great Wall. It is the Northeast gateway of Beijing, 120 kilometers from Beijing, 98 kilometers from the Capital Airport, 60 kilometers from Miyun District and 80 kilometers from Chengde City. This town built on the basis of northern culture is becoming a landmark for night trips in Beijing and it attracts more and more young people and international friends to come for vacation and leisure. It is also a paradise for photographers and foodies.

Jinshanling Great Wall

Jinshanling Great Wall is one of the best hiking sections with both good facilities and well-preserved hiking paths, while Simatai Great Wall is 16km next to it, about 0.5h by car. Both of them are less crowded and more "natural", comparing with the great wall sections closer to the Beijing downtown. Many people would like to hike both of them since the short distance between them, and each section of the two great walls offering different stunning scenery.

☛ 2 Days Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall Wild Hiking

☛ Get from Jinshanling to Simatai

Charming Gubei Water Town

Jinshanling Great Wall Photographed by Our Guest

Useful Simatai Hiking Tips

❶ Items to Pack: Hiking boots, sticks or trekking sticks, backpack, sun-glasses, long pants, sunscreen, snacks, camera.

❷ Risky Hikers: people who suffer arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, asthma, and the traveler who are drunk are not recommended to take the hike.

❸ Age Ranges: Don't take baby less than 3 years old for this hike, and the traveler who are more than 80 years old are not recommended to hike.

❹ Sanitation Facilities: Please go to toilet at the entrance of the wall before the hiking, there is no toilet on the Wall. Please carry toilet paper by yourself always.

❺ Unavailable Hiking Conditions: You are not recommended to go, under the following weather condition: Rain, Snow, Strong Wind, etc.

❻ Avoid Unopen Areas: For your safety, do not venture into areas of Simatai Great Wall that are closed, such as the One-sided Wall, which can be steep and dangerous.

How to Plan Your Travel in Beijing

To explore Beijing's highlights, such as the Forbidden City, the Great Wall (with Mutianyu as the top recommendation), the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and the Beijing Hutongs - plan for about 4 days, including arrival and departure.

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package

☛ 3 Days Beijing Essential Highlights Tour

If you have extra days, consider hiking the scenic Jinshanling Great Wall, enjoying the stunning night views of Simatai Great Wall, or visiting other sections like Huanghuacheng, Gubeikou, and Juyongguan.

☛ 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing

☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking

Families with children should not miss Universal Beijing Resort, while museum enthusiasts should visit the National Museum of China, home to the nation's most valuable treasures.

☛ 5 Days Beijing Family-friendly Tour with Universal Studios Fun

☛ 5 Days In-depth Beijing Tour with History and Culture Discovery

As a major transportation hub, Beijing offers easy access to other top destinations in China by flight or train, such as Xi'an, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, and Tibet. China Discovery provides a variety of tour packages from Beijing, or we can customize an itinerary to suit your preferences.

Recommended Beijing Tours with Other Top Cities in China:

☛ 6 Days Classic Beijing Xian High-speed Train Tour

☛ 8 Days Best of China Tour (Beijing - Xian - Shanghai)

☛ 10 Days Classic China Tour from Beijing (Beijing - Xian - Guilin - Shanghai)

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable wonderful trips to Beijing for the past few years. Among them, a special team of over 50 VIPKID teachers from North America traveled with us to see their dear studends in China with amazing experience in Beijing and shared us their special travel story! Travel with China Discovery to create your great China trip memories!

Click to Check Our Customers' Beijing Travel Photos>

Top China Recommended Destinations