Simatai Great Wall: Tips & Top Things to Do

The Simatai Great Wall is an incomparable section that retains the Ming Great Wall's most original appearance. The section may not be as famous as Badaling or Mutianyu, but it has been a great magnet for history freaks and hikers. Simatai offers a unique experience, albeit with fewer crowds. A personal visit speaks louder. If the Simatai Great Wall is on your China tour list, here's everything you need to know.

Basic Facts About the Simatai Great Wall

Map of Simatai Great Wall

Chinese: 司马台 sī mǎ tái

Overview: The Simatai Great Wall is one of the most significant sections of the Ming Great Wall. It retains the almost original structures of the old walls and is perilous, dense, diverse, artful, and peculiar in character.

Location: Miyun Town, about 120 km northeast of central Beijing.

Total length: 5.4 kilometers with 34 beacon towers, divided into an eastern part and a western part by Yuanyang Lake (Simatai Reservoir).

Time of visit: 2-4 hours; 1-2 days for staying overnight.

Way of Visit: Hike up, Cable Car

Cable Car and Pulley Ticket Fare: 90 CNY (single way); 160 CNY (round trip)

Main Attractions: Gubei Ancient Watertown, Yuanyang Lake, Viewing Capital Tower, and Heavenly Ladder.

Opening Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 16:30 p.m. (peak season); 7:30 a.m. - 16:00 p.m. (off-season); 19:30 p.m. - 21:30 p.m. (night tour)

Entrance Ticket Price for Simatai: 40 CNY

How to Get to Simatai From Downtown Beijing

The Simatai Great Wall lies about 120 kilometers away from Beijing. The following are the main public lines to get there, or accessible by a private car from downtown Beijing to Simatai directly.

Public Transportation

Private Car

Taking a taxi is a relatively easy way to get to the section, but it may be hard to call because that would be a thankless task for a taxi driver traveling such a long distance. So a private tour is highly recommended.

You will enjoy a very hassle-free way to reach Simatai and pay a visit. Join the China Odyessy Tour, which arranges all the itineraries of a round trip from downtown Beijing to Simatai. Just expect an all-inclusive guide without wrestling with transportation.

Top 3 Things to Do on Simatai

Take the Night Tour of the Simatai Great Wall

It is something of a magnet to head up on the Simatai before sunset, surprisingly because the section is the special one open for night tours. You can capture the graceful sunset against dreamy rosy clouds. The wall at night is bathed in gentle, golden lights. You can have a full view of a luminous wall lying in the night. Choose to camp and have picnics at Juxian Tower, 1000 meters above sea level. You won't miss such photogenic night scenes of the moon and the stars that are distinct from those at Badaling.

Explore the Gubei Water Town

Gubei Water Town is a shining pearl against the Simatai Great Wall. It is a wonderful, relaxing stop after arduous wall walking. You can see rows of traditional-style houses, take a leisurely stroll through picturesque quaint Hutongs and streets, or boat on criss-crossed flowing canals. For more native participation, it's nice to visit the local Sima Liquor Distillery as a witness to the process of making Chinese wine and savor some. Besides, stay overnight in the town for hot spring spas and massages.

Boat on Yuanyang Lake

Back in the west part of Simatai Great Wall, Yuanyang Lake is named after two distinct springs near each other: the hot spring and the cold spring. Boating on the lake is an interesting part of visiting Simatai. Catch sight of breathtaking mountains and painting-like vegetation surrounding the lake. You may create an Instagram-worthy phone wallpaper of the Great Wall and a blue sky mirrored in the rippling water. Additionally, you can go to the hot spring site for a relaxing spa after boating.

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Hiking Routes in Simatai

The Simatai Great Wall offers a variety of hiking routes that cater to different levels of tourists. To mention that, the former routes can reach East No.16 Tower and part of the western section. But now the open hiking segment is between East No. 1 Tower and East No. 10 Tower. Here we recommend some popular routes for common options.

Route #1: Scenic Walk along Simatai Reservoir

Simatai Hiking Route #1: East No. 1 - East No. 10

Recommendation Level: 4 Stars

Time Required: 2.5 Hours

Area: East No. 1 Tower - East No. 10 Tower

You should go for a 30-minute walk to No. 1 Tower from the entrance, by Simatai Reservoir (Yuanyang Lake). Here are the beautiful lake scapes to behold. Alternatively, take a short boat from the wharf to No. 1 Tower. There, you can see the chain bridge that connects the two parts of the Great Wall.

Along the steep ridges, you can touch the iconic single-sided wall at No. 4 Tower, and look far at Fairy Tower from No. 10 Tower. If you try to save your energy, go down from No. 5 or No. 8 Tower to take a cable car. Otherwise, you can turn back to No. 8 Tower from No. 10 Tower and then ride the cable car down to the entrance.

Route #2: The Aerial Visit of the Eastern Segment

Simatai Hiking Route #2

Recommendation Level: 4 Stars

Time Required: About 2 hours

Area: East No. 8 Tower - East No. 10 Tower - East No. 6 Tower

Take an aerial cable car near the entrance, which is comfortable and offers panoramic views of small segments of eastern Simatai. Off the cable car, you can walk a footpath that leads to the White Tower at East No. 8 Tower. Then start hiking upwards to No. 10 Tower. After exploring No.10 Tower, you can hike back to No.6 Tower for a rest, and near No.5 Tower, catch a cable car down to the exit.

Route #3: Stunning Nightscape by a Round Trip

Simatai Hiking Route #3

Recommendation Level: 5 Stars

Time Required: About 1.5 hours

Area: East No. 5 Tower to East No. 6 Tower

This is a hopping route for a night walk. You can still take a cable car near the entrance to No. 5 Tower. Then begin your night tour with a hand lantern. The open route at night is only from No. 5 Tower to No. 6 Tower because of safety concerns. You may go for a round trip back to No. 5 Tower, and here you'd better take the cable car down to the foot of the mountain. You can enjoy the first-ever spectacle of the night wall beautifully illuminated along the steep ridges.

The Best Time to Visit Simatai Great Wall

View of Simatai Great Wall

The best times to visit the Simatai Great Wall are April to June (late spring) and September to November (autumn). You can enjoy moderately warm weather in late spring and cool breezes in the fall, which is comfortable for hiking tours. The section is also stunning because of the distinct surroundings in both seasons.

From April to June, the Great Wall is vibrant with lush vegetation and beautiful flowers. You can feast on a green sea of lush plants blanketing the twisting wall on the ridges. Between September and November, you would see an unforgettable color change in the surrounding mountains. The Wall is ablaze with a sea of red leaves, which is superb for great photos.

Like other popular sections like Badaling and Mutianyu, Simatai Great Wall would be a bit crowded with Chinese visitors during some public holidays, such as Chinese New Year, Labor Day Holiday, and National Day Holiday. It is also recommended to avoid a visit during students' summer vacation (July to August); alternatively, come in September while it's back-to-school season.

It is possible to visit Simatai during the mid-summer months (July and August) for fewer crowds, but it's inevitably scorching with possible haze. The eastern Simatai is steep and rugged and could be treacherous for snow cover in the winter. However, it's still a choice that the snow-covered backdrop against a clear blue sky rewards your efforts.

Why Visit Simatai Great Wall

As one of the most imposing sections of the Chinese landmark, the Simatai Great Wall is popular for several reasons:

Best Preservation of Original Appearance

Simatai is the only Ming Dynasty section that keeps the original appearance of the old Great Wall. It is distinct from other well-developed sections like Badaling and Mutianyu. It has been restored only to essential reinforcement parts. You can taste the authentic history that this cultural heritage exposes with a shock.

Unique Night Tour

A night walk is a fascinating characteristic of the Simatai Great Wall. The section offers a unique night tour that is open year-round. For those who try to avoid daytime overcrowding and heat, the night tour is definitely a can’t-refuse attraction for a visit.

Diverse Structures and Landscapes

Simatai has an impressive size, with a large number of watchtowers and sky bridges. The watchtowers are densely packed in a row and feature varied shapes, from signal towers and double towers to “Bugua”-designed forms. You can see its perilous cliffs, slopes, and peculiar ridges. At the foot of the wall, there is also a beautiful Gubei Water Town.

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Tips for Traveling to Simatai

• The Simatai Great Wall is separated into eastern and western parts by a small artificial lake. If you plan to climb the eastern part, take care of the steeper landform, and normally, only the section between East Tower No. 1 and East Tower No. 10 is open to visitors.
• Some sections of the Simatai are single-sided and built without any railings, so mind your steps and surroundings, especially the elders and children.
• You would be fully exposed to strong sunlight during your hike. Make sure you take adequate sun protection, like sun-proof suits, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• There are only toilets at the start and end of the cable car station. None of the watchtowers are equipped with a toilet. So the best is to go to the bathroom before riding or bring bathroom tissues as much as possible.

Plan Your Trip to the Great Wall

The Simatai Great Wall will tell you what the original wall looks like. The architectural spectacle offers a unique landscape and experience that you haven't had at other sections of the Great Wall. Having ever been to other famous sections, visiting the Simatai would be another worthy addition to a life.

Give yourself an unparalleled opportunity to realize your imagination's ancient grandeur. For a hassle-free trip, you can go our way, together with the China Odyessy Tour, and we will customize your itinerary to cover all the bright spots of Simatai. You'll unleash your adventurous spirit and have your first incredible taste with us. For more information or travel advice, you may reach us at trip@odynovotours.com.