[2024 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Great Wall At Simatai (Updated Dec)

Wow! It's so beautiful here!😲It's exactly what I imagined Mid-Autumn Festival to be like. The Jiangnan water town, full of greenery in summer, will be covered by leaves of various colors this month. It looks like an overturned palette🎨, with colorful forests and beautiful scenery everywhere!😍 🍁About the viewing period: This is one of the earliest places in Beijing to see red leaves, and there are many different types of trees. The combination of red, yellow, and green leaves is perfect for taking photos!📅Shooting date: 2023.10.14, estimated viewing period: mid-October to late October. 📷Come and see some of the best autumn photo spots: 🍁Washing Dust Bridge: The waterfall and stream in front of the bridge, with the mountains in the background, reflect the colorful leaves on both sides of the river. The Simatai Great Wall is clearly visible, and the blue sky makes it look like an oil painting!🖼️ 🍁Cloud Cafe: This is the perfect place to take a panoramic view of the town, and you can see the autumn town from different angles!☕ 🍁Zhenyuan Escort Bureau: The red leaf waterfall and moon gate at the entrance are stunning!🤩 🍁BBQ Restaurant: The large red leaf waterfall is amazing!🥩 🍁Eight Banners Inn: The deep alley itself has a strong sense of depth.🏮 🍁Red Makeup Bridge: The winding river and the red-leafed wooden corridor, the swaying willow branches and the gently gliding rowing boat, form a beautiful picture of a small bridge flowing water and people's homes in autumn.🌸 🍁Chaohechuan Bridge: The pier where the rowing boats are concentrated, with flocks of white geese passing by from time to time, is super cute!🦢 🍁Longdao Bridge: A must-pass for rowing boats, with a background of pillow-water houses surrounded by mountains.🛶 🍁General Yang Noodle Restaurant: The alleyway photo spot is really cool!🍜 🔺Here are some other recommended activities: ✔️Climb the Simatai Great Wall: It is recommended to take the cable car round trip, and the night tour is highly recommended!🏞️ ✔️Mountaintop Church + Cloud Cafe: The perfect place to overlook the entire town, with stunning night views!✨ ✔️Night drone show: With the Great Wall as the background, the drone changes various patterns and shapes in the sky according to the music. There are two shows every night, so don't miss it!🚁 ✔️Great Wall Music and Water Dance Show: Fountains and laser projections combine to create an audio-visual feast.💃

After visiting the Simatai Great Wall, I really have to exclaim: Why go to crowded places when you can enjoy the Simatai Great Wall so much! Having lived in Beijing for many years, I used to accompany others to the Great Wall, and without exception, it was always the Badaling Great Wall. Initially, I would climb with them, but gradually, I just waited in the parking lot because there were simply too many people! This time, I chose to go to Simatai, intuitively thinking there would be fewer people. 🚗 The Simatai Great Wall is located in the Gubei Water Town scenic area. I have visited Gubei Water Town many times but never climbed the Great Wall there, so this time I headed straight for the Great Wall. 🌄 I really didn't expect so few people walking up the Great Wall. You can walk slowly and quietly enjoy the scenery. I wonder if this is the norm for Simatai? It might be because it's a weekday, and many tourists don't know about this place, or it's too far from the city center, so they don't choose it easily. 🏔️ Thinking about it, it seems the only two times I actively wanted to climb the Great Wall were both in Miyun. The first time was many years ago when that section of the Great Wall was just broken bricks and foundations. Standing on the uneven remnants of the Great Wall, there was a real sense of desolate grandeur. If you're not in a hurry and have good physical strength, you can choose to walk. It takes about half an hour from the entrance of the Great Wall scenic area to the foot of the Great Wall, all on winding stone paths that are relatively gentle, and most sections have shade. As the terrain gradually rises, you can see the full view of Yuanyang Lake below and the Yuan Tong Temple Pagoda in Gubei Water Town. The scenery from high up is really beautiful. There are several sections of the Great Wall with beacon towers, and the steps are somewhat steep, but each time you climb a section, the cool mountain breeze makes it all worth it. 🌆 You can also visit the Great Wall at night, but only by cable car. We didn't go up at night, but from the ancient town, the lit-up Great Wall looked like a winding dragon, offering another beautiful view. I really recommend staying overnight in Gubei Water Town. After climbing the Great Wall, you can rest and stroll around at night. I come here once or twice a year, no matter what others say. The place is big enough, well-managed, clean overall, with many performances to keep you entertained, and the food is not bad. With all these conditions, what more could you ask for? A two-hour drive is much more convenient than traveling out of town.

Finally checked in at the solo Great Wall. I always thought the hardest part would be walking on the wall, but it turned out to be various stone climbing and unexpected wild road conditions that got me. Right off the bus, under the watch of local villagers, I crazily rushed up the mountain, running a long stretch. Coupled with the muggy weather, my legs lost most of their strength. Just climbing a slope, after a few steps, my legs felt extremely tired, and my thighs were sore. I gritted my teeth and persevered, step by step. Along the way, crossing large slopes, leaf-covered dirt roads, I slipped and fell 3 times, thankfully without injury. Besides the exceptionally difficult sandy roads, what followed were large stones that required hands and feet. Up and down, it felt like a roller coaster ride. Every time I climbed a big stone, I thought it was the last one, but reaching the top, I saw another one behind it. Walking on the wall was the easiest part, the path wasn't as narrow as I imagined. The difficulty was descending the stone steps over a meter high. Just support your body with both hands and slowly lower to the ground. Once your feet are stable and you're brave, you can walk very fast. Overall, the last section of the Great Wall had better scenery, mostly a mix of huge rocks and watchtowers. It felt lonely. I'm planning to come back in a better season with good weather.

Gubei Water Town is a gorgeous fairy-tale town situated below the Great Wall. The Simatai Great wall looms so high above the water town, it gives the impression that it may be floating in the clouds, as the lights of wall switch on at dusk and are just barely visible through a thin layer of mist that gently veils the mountain. I suggest a walk up to the Great Wall, the scenery is incredible, and then to take the cable car down. The water town is best explored in the evening/night, it really comes to life and there are many types of delicious foods and beautiful trinkets to be bought. Enjoy your Fairy-tale escape☺️ #beijingtrip #thegreatwall #watertown #fairytale

#bucketlistreboot Simatai, a section of the Great Wall of China located in the North of Miyun County, 120 kilometers northeast of Beijing, holds the access to Gubeikou, a strategic pass in the Eastern part of the Great Wall. Take the cable car from which you can walk to East Tower 5 or East Tower 8( about 30 minutes) to have a great look down on Gubei Ancient Town. The cable car may stop operating when there are high winds. The simplest way to come here, is to take part the day tour organise at Beijing, you also can chose to go up the Great Wall at night. Simatai Great Wall is the only one that opens to tourists at night.

This attraction is located in Beijing, but in the most remote area - Miyun. This is a small village that resembles ancient China. But all this is new, built a few years ago. You can go there and visit the beautiful section of the Great Wall of China - Simatai. It is especially beautiful in the evening at sunset, when the lights are turned on. There are hotels with hot springs. This excursion is for 1-2 days. Lots of restaurants, street cafes. When you walk around the village, you feel like you are in an Ancient China drama. #themepark

Great hiking beautiful walk all the way the only problem is to come down after you climb the stairs. I felt like my legs were shaking and shivering body. the climbing was fun than coming back down. later I got to use the cable cars to climb up in the night which gave me a very beautiful view on top to see the whole gold city. there’s lots of entertainment down. The place is surrounded by water, great hotels with beautiful views, on weekends it’s kinda full of Chinese cause they like to visit their own country so it’s better you do it on weekdays to get nice views at the wall and in the evening you can chill and relax in so many hotels around. #gooutside

Simatai is perhaps the most exciting section of the Great Wall accessible to visitors. It is nothing short of awesome to see the Great Wall snaking over the tops of the mountains. Simatai is less crowded than other Wall sites. It hasn’t been fully restored yet, so it’s a good opportunity to see parts of the original wall. Simatai is 5.5 km (3.4 miles) long with 34 towers, though only 10 are officially open to the public. Steps are steep in the restored section, and you should be careful if you hike beyond this area as drop-offs are steep. If you want to avoid the hassle of getting there yourself, a guided hiking tour of the Great Wall might be easier. This full-day tour takes you to one of the most beautiful stretches to hike along. Over the course of the day, you’ll walk from Simatai West to Jinshanling Pass. With stunning views wherever you look, hiking along this historic and impressive human-made monument promises to be an unforgettable experience. #beijingtrip #urbanexplorer #ancientlandmark

On the way up to Simatai Wall through this nice Brook of Rivers and Flowers. The relaxing sound of the water in a green lush mountain foot is a perfect introduction. Don't forget to get ice cream on your way back down. #scenicspotguide

#triplocal #triplocal

The Simatai Great Wall, located in Gubei Water Town, is the only Great Wall in China that preserves the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty. The entire Great Wall is built on the precipitous mountain. It is known as the odd, special and dangerous, and has 20 complete enemy buildings. In particular, the Wangjing Building is built on a steep peak at an altitude of 1,000 meters. The scenery is excellent and you can see the city of Beijing. Simatai Great Wall was identified by UNESCO as the Original Great Wall. In 2012, the Times of the United Kingdom translated the Great Wall of Simatai into "the top of the 25 landscapes that should not be missed globally." Under the blue sky and white clouds, the ancient Great Wall is quaint and quaint, and the old walls silently tell the story of the wolf. The Jinge Iron Horse has become a past, and now the Great Wall has long been transformed into a tourist attraction that the Chinese have to visit once in their lifetime. It is a symbol of the Chinese nation, a testimony to history, and a legend of the blue bricks.

The Simatai Great Wall is adjacent to the Gubei Water Town. The wall of the Great Wall is built on the precipitous mountain and is known as the strange, special and dangerous. Chinas famous ancient architect Luo Zhewen once commented that Chinas Great Wall is the best in the world.

How can you miss a hot spring tour when you come to Beijing for two days? Enjoy a wonderful hot spring experience and relax your body and mind. This guide will take you to the hot springs in Beijing. Save it now! / 🚩Itinerary: Day 1: Gubei Water Town -> Simatai Great Wall Stroll through the ancient Gubei Water Town and feel the charm of the water town. Then climb the Simatai Great Wall and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the Great Wall. Day 2: Yinghua Academy -> Tangshi Street -> Yue Lao Temple Visit the culturally rich Yinghua Academy, stroll along the ancient Tangshi Street, and finally visit the mysterious Yue Lao Temple to experience the ancient traditional culture. / Attraction Recommendations: 🌟 Gubei Water Town: The scenery of the water town is amazing! Walking through it, you will feel like you have traveled through time and returned to ancient times. The ancient residential buildings are well preserved, and every corner exudes a strong historical charm. 🏞️ Simatai Great Wall: Want to experience the steep and varied walls? This is the place to be! The Simatai Great Wall is not only unique in its walls, but also offers stunning views of red leaves in autumn. 💑 Yue Lao Temple: Looking for love? Yue Lao Temple is the ideal place for you. The temple is surrounded by greenery and is a peaceful and pleasant place. Maybe your fate is here! / Travel Essentials: 🧳 Going to Beijing? Bring these things! 👗 Clothing: It's cold in Beijing in December, so remember to bring a down jacket and thermal underwear. Also, comfortable sneakers are a must for visiting the Forbidden City and the Great Wall! 🎒 Accessories: Hats, scarves, and gloves are warm and stylish. Power banks and data cables are essential for taking photos and posting on social media. Oh, and a thermos cup, too. Drinking hot water in winter is so comfortable. 🆔 Documents: ID card, student ID (discounts available), cash, and bank cards. Keep them with you for safety. 💊 Others: Beijing has a lot of delicious food, but you should also bring some stomach medicine. Lip balm is also a must for dry weather. Of course, cold medicine is also necessary. Health is important when traveling! / It's that simple to explore Beijing! Don't forget to leave your footprints and stories. See you next time! 👋

easy ride up on the cable car with a short hike to access this awesome view during the day. it will light up in the night to create another scenery

Hey guys! Here's a 5-day itinerary for a trip from Beijing to Chengde and Bashang! Save it now and start your journey to the North! -- 🚩Itinerary: D1: 🛫Arrive in Beijing Capital Airport/Daxing Airport/Beijing South Railway Station—🚗Head to Chengde and enjoy the scenery along the way—💓Stroll freely in the small town outside the Great Wall and feel its unique charm—🏨Check in to a hotel in Chengde and relax D2: 🏯Visit Putuo Zongcheng Temple and admire the beauty of Tibetan Buddhist architecture D3: 🌊Duolun Lake Scenic Area, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery—🌾Wulan Butong Grassland, gallop across the vast grassland—🕍Wulan Butong Aobao Tu, feel the charm of grassland culture D4: 🐎Wulan Butong Grassland in-depth tour, experience grassland life and customs D5: 🏞️Simatai Great Wall, climb high and look far, admire the grandeur of the Great Wall -- Must-see attractions: - 🏯Putuo Zongcheng Temple: Also known as the Little Potala Palace, it is a uniquely styled mountain castle with magnificent scenery waiting for you to explore! - 🌾Wulan Butong Grassland: Charming grassland scenery, and a filming location for movies and TV shows. In autumn, the grassland is even more colorful and beautiful! - 🏞️Simatai Great Wall: A section of the Great Wall known for its steepness, with diverse walls and beautiful autumn foliage. -- Travel essentials: 🎒Beijing-Chengde-Bashang packing list 👕Clothing: Long-sleeved jacket, jeans, and warm clothes for the cold nights in Bashang. 🎩Accessories: Sun hat, sunglasses, gloves for horseback riding, and waterproof outdoor shoes. 📸Electronics: Phone, camera, and charger to capture beautiful moments! 💳Documents: ID card, and student ID if you have one, for discounts at attractions. 🧴Daily necessities: Sunscreen, moisturizer, as the north is dry, and skincare is essential. Also, mosquito repellent, as there are many mosquitoes on the grassland. Bring some common medicines just in case. -- Like, comment, and share for more travel tips in Beijing and Hebei. Chengde and Bashang, let's go! 🎉

Nice view from sumatai great wall ❤️❤️❤️ Love this moment

📍Attraction Introduction Simatai Great Wall: Located in Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing, 120 km from Beijing. It is built on steep mountains and is known for its five characteristics: steepness, density, neatness, ingenuity, and completeness. It is 5.7 km long, starting from Wangjing Tower in the east and ending at Houchuankou in the west. The Yuanyang Lake Reservoir divides it into two sections, east and west, with a total of 35 enemy towers (including one destroyed in the water). Simatai Great Wall is the only ancient architectural site in China that retains its original appearance from the Ming Dynasty. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and was identified as the "Original Great Wall" by UNESCO. 🗺️Tour Route Recommended Route: Start from the east section, visit Wangjing Tower and each enemy tower in turn, and end at the west section. Along the way, you can enjoy the grandeur of the Great Wall and the beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains. 🕒Opening Hours Business Hours: Generally open at 9:00 am, subject to the announcement of the scenic area. 🎟️Ticket Information Ticket Price: The specific price varies according to the season and activities. It is recommended to check in advance through official channels. Ticket Purchase: Tickets can be purchased through major travel websites or on-site. It is recommended to purchase in advance to avoid queuing. 🚗Transportation Guide Self-driving: Depart from downtown Beijing and take the Jingcheng Expressway and other routes, about 2 hours by car. Public Transportation: You can take a bus to Miyun District in Beijing and then transfer to local transportation to reach Simatai Great Wall. 🏨Accommodation Recommendation Gubei Water Town: Located near Simatai Great Wall, it has a unique Jiangnan water town style and offers a variety of accommodation options. 🍽️Dining Recommendation Local Specialties: You can taste the specialties of Miyun District, such as Miyun Reservoir fish and chestnuts. 📸Photo Spots Wangjing Tower: As the highest point of the east section, you can overlook the entire Great Wall and the surrounding scenery. Each Enemy Tower: Each enemy tower has its unique scenery and historical background, worth a shot. 💡Tips Dress Code: Wear comfortable sports shoes and bring sunscreen and warm clothing. Safety: Pay attention to the steps under your feet and follow the regulations of the scenic area during the tour. Cultural Relics Protection: Do not carve or paint on the Great Wall to protect this world cultural heritage. 🎉Nearby Attractions Gubei Water Town: A comprehensive and characteristic leisure international tourism resort integrating sightseeing, leisure, and vacation tourism. Heilongtan: Located in Shicheng Township, Miyun County, it has unique canyon scenery and rich pool and waterfall resources. We hope this guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip to Simatai Great Wall! Have a great trip!🎉

🌟The Simatai Great Wall is located near Gubei Water Town. 👏🏻This is another favorite section of mine. The natural scenery is stunning, surrounded by mountains, and you can also see the ancient Gubei Water Town. ⛰️ 📍This section of the wall is quite steep. In some parts, you need to carefully step up and down. Unlike the Mutianyu section, this wall hasn't been restored, making it shorter and more difficult to walk on. It can be quite thrilling as there's nothing to hold onto on the sides, and the wall isn't as beautiful. 👍🏻However, the advantage of this section is that it's less crowded and the natural scenery is more beautiful. It's also a section that can be visited at night, but it was very cold when we went, so we couldn't enjoy the night view. ❄️ Overall, it's another impressive section of the Great Wall because you get to visit both the Great Wall and Gubei Water Town. 💕

Beijing trip Definitely Great Wall trip!! If you go to Beijing, you need to go to the Great Wall! It’s a huge attraction that you must have been there once in a life time~ I took the local tour to be at Simatai Great Wall which next to the Gubei water town. This is where you can visit both Ancient town and Great Wall What a nice experience!! Cost : about 2,000 baht #travel #beijing #china

Went to the Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town over the weekends and I’m in awe with the beauty of this place ❤️

Gubei Water Town and then Simatai Great Wall, such a cute place near Beijing 😍 #travel #thingstodo #gubeiwatertown #simatai #beijing #china

💖A gentle and soft northern town 🌟Featured attractions: 1⃣️Simatai Great Wall: A Ming Dynasty Great Wall, dangerous, dense, neat, and ingenious. It is known as the best of the Great Wall of China, majestic and spectacular. 2⃣️Yongshun Dyeing Workshop: Showcasing dyeing achievements, the dyed cloth is like a painting, and you can experience the fun of weaving. 3⃣️Simatai Distillery: One of the "three distilleries" in Miyun, learn about the brewing process and taste unique wines. 4⃣️Yinghua Academy: Taken from Han Yu's famous sentence, it is divided into the east and west courtyards, with an elegant environment, and worships Wenchang Dijun. 5⃣️Yang Wudi Ancestral Hall: The people worship the Yang family generals, feel the spirit of loyalty and bravery and admiration. 6⃣️Zhenyuan Escort Agency: Reappearing the life of the dart master, practicing martial arts in the backyard, and the watchtower can observe the surroundings. —————— 📍Location: Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing. 🚗Transportation: You can drive by yourself, and there is also a special bus🚌 for Gubei Water Town 🕙Business hours: 9:00-22:00. 🎫Ticket price: Adult ticket 140 yuan. Come to Gubei Water Town and meet the beauty.💗

The Simatai Great Wall is located on the north mountain of Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun County, Beijing. It is part of the Great Wall of China and was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1987. It is the only ancient architectural site in China that retains the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty and is designated by UNESCO as the "Original Great Wall". The open area of the Simatai Great Wall is from the 1st floor to the 10th floor. You can choose to walk or take a cable car to the Great Wall. For the two of us, it is undoubtedly the wisest choice to take a cable car to visit the Simatai Great Wall. The beautiful scenery under our feet and the lush mountain forests slowly drift past. The majestic figure of the Great Wall in the distance gradually appears in front of us. When we reach the end of the cable car, we are still 470 meters away from the 8th floor of the Great Wall. We walk and climb, and half an hour later, we are on the Great Wall. Although we are very tired, we have no regrets. We are attracted and shocked by the magnificent scenery from the sky. Simatai Great Wall

Hey, friends! Want to explore the charm of Beijing? Here is a super practical 2-day tour guide to help you navigate the capital city. Don't miss it! -------- 🛣️ Itinerary: DAY1: Gubei Water Town - Simatai Great Wall Immerse yourself in the Jiangnan water town atmosphere of Gubei Water Town, then climb the Simatai Great Wall to feel the grandeur of the ancient walls. DAY2: Jinshanling Great Wall Continue the Great Wall journey, explore the unique charm of Jinshanling Great Wall, and appreciate the magnificence and ingenuity of ancient military defense engineering. -------- Must-visit Attractions: ✨ Gubei Water Town: The scenery of the water town is wonderful. Stroll among the quaint residential buildings, as if traveling back to the gentle ink painting era. 🏞️ Jinshanling Great Wall: Want to experience the original appearance of the Great Wall? Jinshanling awaits you! The dense watchtowers tell ancient stories with every brick and tile. 🍁 Simatai Great Wall: The walls here are steep and varied, accompanied by the beautiful scenery of red leaves covering the mountains. Climbing high in autumn, looking far and expressing feelings, has a unique flavor. -------- 🌟 Travel Preparation: Going to Beijing, bring these things! 🌟 👕 Clothing: In September, Beijing has a large temperature difference between morning and evening. It is recommended to bring short sleeves, a thin jacket, and long pants. Don't forget a pair of comfortable shoes, as you will be walking a lot! 🎒 Accessories: A hat and sunglasses are essential for sun protection, and an umbrella is also necessary in case of sudden rain. Oh, and a power bank, as your phone's battery is a source of security during travel! 📘 Documents: Be sure to bring your ID card and student ID (if you have one, many attractions offer discounts), as well as a small amount of cash for emergencies. 🍞 Food: Although there are many snacks in Beijing, bring some dry food and water for emergencies when rushing to attractions. Don't forget to try the local specialties! 🧴 Skincare: Sunscreen and lip balm to keep your skin hydrated. You can also bring a small fan to cool off when it's hot. 📷 Photography: If you love taking photos, prepare your camera or mobile photography equipment. The scenery in Beijing is so beautiful, how can you not take a few shots! 💊 Medicine: Bring some common medicines such as cold medicine and painkillers, as well as band-aids and disinfectant wipes, just in case. That's it! With these preparations, your trip to Beijing will be more enjoyable and worry-free! -------- That's all for the Beijing travel guide. More exciting things are waiting for you to discover! Remember to follow me and not miss any fun places~🌹

Simatai, a section of the Great Wall of China located in the north of Miyun County, 120 km northeast of Beijing, holds the access to Gubeikou, a strategic pass in the eastern part of the Great Wall. It's one of the most untouched section of the Great Wall which will surely become the highlight of your trip to China! it's so close to simataicun a very small village but extremely beautiful.

Escape the scorching heat and embark on a refreshing trip! Gubei Water Town, a hidden paradise nestled between mountains and rivers, is definitely the perfect summer retreat. 🔸Main Attractions: 1️⃣ Simatai Great Wall: Stroll along the winding Great Wall, feel the historical vicissitudes and natural grandeur, with a gentle breeze brushing your face, all the heat vanishes. 2️⃣ Tanghe Ancient Village: Wander through the bluestone-paved roads, flanked by quaint shops, as if traveling back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Find a teahouse to rest and enjoy a moment of tranquility. 3️⃣ Water Town Nightscape: As night falls, the town lights up brilliantly. Take a boat ride through the water town, experiencing a different kind of water town charm amidst the shimmering waves, cool and romantic. 4️⃣ Hilltop Church: Climb to the top and overlook the entire water town. The church bells echo through the valley, bringing unprecedented peace to the soul. 5️⃣ Ancient Town Workshops: Browse the handicraft shops and pick a few items as souvenirs. Each piece carries the warmth and story of the craftsmen. Come to Gubei Water Town and give yourself a cool summer memory!

Visiting the Great Wall is a top choice for tourists. There are many Great Wall scenic spots in Beijing, including the most famous Badaling Great Wall, the most convenient Mutianyu Great Wall, as well as Juyongguan Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall, and others. Another lesser-known spot is the Simatai Great Wall. There are fewer tourists here, making it more comfortable to visit. The Simatai Great Wall is located in Miyun, adjacent to the Gubei Water Town scenic area, so you can visit both places together. The Simatai Great Wall has a cable car 🚡, but it is also not very far to walk up.

The scenery is truly beautiful, but it's also really tough to climb. Luckily, there aren't many beacon towers, and there was no sun, otherwise, I would have exploded on the spot. The Simatai section of the Great Wall was initially built during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty (1465-1487) and was essentially completed by the eighth year of the Wanli era (1580), as part of the Ji Town's western defense system at the Gubeikou Pass. This section of the Great Wall is divided into eastern and western parts by the Simatai Reservoir, with 15 enemy towers on the east and 18 on the west. This section features a variety of architectural forms, including single-sided walls, double-sided walls, barrier walls, sky ladders, climbing pathways, convenience gates, pass gates, and water gates. The enemy towers have one, two, three, or four windows, and the tops of the towers have wooden structures, arched tops, domed tops, and caisson ceilings. There are also uniquely characteristic features such as the Qilin shadow wall and the Wangjing Tower, which is more than 900 meters above sea level. Known for its breathtaking, dangerous, strange, majestic, and complete characteristics, it has been praised by Great Wall expert Mr. Luo Zhewen as 'the best of the Great Wall of China.'

Little known gem just 2 hours away from Beijing, Simatai Great Wall is the only part of the Great Wall that allows for evening til night entry. Easily accessible via Gubei Watertown - another little Gem one can spend full day visiting. Evening access starts at 6pm by taking the gondola, followed by a short easy hike up to the Great Wall. Recommended to book a night stay in Gubei Watertown to enjoy maximum experience up in the Great Wall. ##Simatai ##gubei

#familytrips2024 We made it to the Great Wall of China! We didn’t want to visit the heavily visited Great Wall like MuTian Yu and Badaling, so we opted for the ‘tougher’ route- simatai. It is indeed more damaged and broken as what the local people say. There’s no railing at the side hence one has to be careful when climbing the Great Wall. It was a great experience for my family. The experience of climbing the Great Wall is such a great fulfilment. We met a local couple and they congratulated us for making to the top and we are a family of 好汉 🤣 the Chinese has a saying, “不到长城非好汉！” 好汉 could possibly mean great and courageous people. You may like to opt for this location if you are interested to go to Great Wall with lesser tourists.