Lying in the Gubeikou Town northeast of Miyun County about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Beijing, the Simatai Great Wall stretches about five kilometers (three miles) from the Wangjinglou Tower in the east and connects to the Jinshanling Great Wall in the west. It has 35 beacon towers. Constructed under the supervision of Qi Jiguang, a famous general in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it is the only part of the Great Walls that still has the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty.
Simatai Great Wall in Beijing
The Simatai Great Wall is celebrated for its steepness, queerness and intactness. The main tourist attractions include the Stairway to Heaven, the Fairy Tower, the Heaven Bridge and the Wangjing Tower.
The Simatai Great Wall is divided into eastern and western parts by a lake, named the Mandarin Duck Lake, which is fed by two springs. One is warm, the other is cold. Even in winter, the surface of the lake will never ice up.
The eastern part of the Great Wall has 15 watchtowers and was constructed on the steep ridge of the mountain. It looks like a winding dragon jumping out of the lake. There tourists can appreciate the Stairway to Heaven, the Fairy Tower, the Heaven Bridge and the Wangjinglou Tower.
In order to reach the Fairy Tower, tourists must climb the 85 degree slope Stairway to Heaven which is about 100 meters (328 feet) long and allows only one person to pass. Legend has it that the Fairy Tower was transformed from an antelope and that once the Lotus Flower Fairy lived there, hence its name. On the tower, there are some marble arches carved with lotus patterns.
With a height of about 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) above sea level, the Wangjinglou Tower is built on the highest part of the Great Wall. Between the Fairy Tower and the Wangjinglou is the Heaven Bridge, built across a deep abyss. Standing on the Wangjinglou Tower one can see the outline of Beijing City.
 |
| Simatai Great Wall Ruins |
Compared with eastern part of the Great Wall, the western part is smoother. One can enjoy the intact pack walls, crenels, and kylin, animal and flower embossments.
Simatai also offers a wide range of activities. Tourists can go boating, swimming or fishing in the Mandarin Duck Lake.
| Admission Fee: | CNY 40 |
| Cable Way: | CNY 50 (Round Trip); CNY 30 (One Way) |
| Express Train to the Peak: | CNY 30 (Round Trip); CNY 20 (One Way) |
| Slippery Rope plus Boat: | CNY 35 |
| Boat: | CNY 10 |
Simatai Travel Tips 
Simatai Great Wall Transportationa. Beijing Hub of Tour Dispatch has tourist buses to Simatai Great Wall.
| Departure time | Location | Address |
| 09:00 (Monday - Friday) | Tiananmen Dispatch Branch Center | No.1 Qianmen, Xi Da Jie, the southwest corner of Tiananmen Square |
| 07:30 – 08:30 (Saturday and Sunday) | Xuanwumen Dispatch Branch Center | Exit B, Subway Line 2, the northeast corner of Xuanwumen Road |
| Time | Price |
| Monday to Friday | Less than five people: CNY 300 per adult and CNY 280 per student; Five to eleven People: CNY 220 per adult and CNY 200 per student; Twelve or more people: CNY 160 per adult and CNY 140 per student |
| Weekends and Public Holidays | CNY 160 per adult and CNY 140 per student |
Note: The above prices include the round trip bus tickets and the ticket of Simatai Great Wall. Visitors are arranged to have a three hour tour on Simatai Great Wall. The tickets are available at No.5 and No.6 window at each visitors dispatch branch center. Tel: 010-83531111/66015622/66070900
b. Take a bus from Beijing Dongzhimen long distance bus station to Fengshan, Hebei. It will take you to Gubeikou from where you can climb to Simatai Great Wall.
c. Take bus No.980 to Miyun County from Beijing Dongzhimen long distance bus station. From Gulou Dajie Street in Miyun County, there are taxies to Simatai Great Wall.
d. Take a bus to Chengde City at Dongzhimen long distance bus station. The bus will pass Simatai Great Wall, and you can ask the bus driver or the bus ticket seller to stop at Simatai Great Wall.
|
|
|
Dining at Simatai
Around Simatai Great Wall, there are many farmhouses serving the authentic "peasant dishes". We suggest you taste the local famous dish – Kuai Dun Fish (Stewed Fish). The fish are boiled in the water where they lived, as the locals believe the fish tastes fresh cooked in this way. The fish soup is as white as milk, tasty and healthy.
Accommodation at Simatai
A room to accommodate four people in the hostels at the foot of Simatai Great Wall will cost CNY 15/person/night. The local inns cost CNY30-CNY40 per person. Visitors can also find farmhouses Huagoulou Village.
Warm Prompt
a. Badly out of repair for years, Simatai Great Wall is noted for its great danger. Simatai Reservoir divides it into the two sections (eastern and western) which are connected by a suspension bridge. For safety concerns and the protection of the wild wall, visitors are only allowed to climb the sections between the No.1 and No.4 gate towers in the eastern section. From the No.4 to the No.16 gate tower (also Wangjing Tower) where the famous "Single Wall" and "Sky Stair" are located, the wall has been neglected for years and skirts the edge of bottomless abyss. In the past, it was often reported that some visitors have lost their lives when ventured across this section, therefore, currently, it is forbidden to pass through this part of the wall. Please always remember that safety comes first!
b. Prepare enough water. The water is sold almost at every gate tower. But a bottle of water of 500 ml will charge visitors about CNY 10, which is much more expensive than the normal price.
Copyright© 1998-2009 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Travelers' Voices on Simatai Great Wall
1.
Nov. 4,2009 17:33 Reply
Ms.Mimi(Belgium) said:
Hi there!
my husband and I are planning to visit the Great Wall by the end of November. Has anybody done Mutianyu and Simatai? Which one would you recommend? I keep going back and forth on both description and cannot make up my mind... any tips?
Thanks !!
Nov. 4,2009 19:53
Mr.Lin replied:
Hi, Mutianyu and Simatai have different views. Mutianyu is a repaired wall, and you will feel very safe when walk on it. But Simatai is wild and broken. It is liked by many photographers and trekkers. In my opinion, since you will visit the wall by the end of November. You should try a nice day with no snow to go. If it snows, do not go to Simatai, coz it is too dangerous.
2.
Nov. 2,2009 10:02 Reply
Mr.gregory(Australia) said:
Is it safe to do the Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall in early December period
Nov. 2,2009 20:03
Mr.Robert replied:
Basically it is safe, but you should choose a nice day. You'd better not go there when it snows.
3.
Oct. 23,2009 20:20 Reply
Ms.O'Connor(Canada) said:
Is is possible to go from Beijing up to Simatai, and then walk down the Great Wall to the Badaling section? I am planning on taking several days to do this, and staying in the local farmhouses or hotels at the foot of the wall each night. I am wondering if the sections (Simatai to Jinshanling, Jinshanling to Badaling) connect? Thank you!
Oct. 24,2009 21:25
Mr.bear replied:
Hi, Simatai to Jinshanling is a good trekking route. But Jinshanling to Badaling is not. Jinshanling is located in Hebei Province and Badaling is in Beijing. They are not connected.
4.
Oct. 19,2009 05:06 Reply
Ms.Kimmie(USA) said:
I just returned from Beijing a few days ago. One Saturday, I wandered into a travel agency in Tiananmen Square by the Qiamen subway stop. I asked for a tour to Simatai and the agent booked me one for the next day for 200 RMB. The receipt was written in Chinese on a piece of scratch paper and I had no idea about the itinerary. The travel agent just told me to be in my hotel by 8pm and someone would call for pick up time in the morning. I waited and waited, no call. I thought they ripped me off of the 200 RMB. At 1130pm, someone finally called and said they will be by at 630am to pick me up at the hotel. A pick up van came by and picked me up and to my surprise, I found out that we would be trekking about 4 hours from Jinshanling to Simatai.
I took the cable car up from Jinshanling and was very lucky to have had a local farmer woman help me along the way to Simatai. I am a 50 year old, 5 foot tall woman and not in the best of shape. She was of great help...as the Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall can be very challenging at times. Some of the steps are quite steep and can be dangerous if not careful...so be prepared. Wear comfortable hiking boots or sneakers with good traction. Bring water or you can purchase bottles along the way and help the local people.
It took me about 4 hours to get from Jinshanling entrance to the zip line taking you to the boat that takes you to the Great Wall restaurant in Simatai. It was a totally breathtaking and exhilating experience. I took lots of pictures and had the time of my life. I highly recommend the Jinshanling to Simatai trek for those that are looking for a true Great Wall experience. I did give the local woman a very nice tip for helping me accomplish the greatest trek of my life.
5.
Sep. 1,2009 19:49 Reply
Ms.Nika said:
Hello everyone,
I am planning to do the hike from Jinshanling to Simatai in the middle of September and I have a couple of questions:
I plan to go back to Beijing by taking "kuai/fast" bus 980 (17 yuan) in Miyun Bus Station in Miyun (the last bus leaves at 6:30 pm). So do I have to get to the bus stop via taxi or is there other way to get back to Miyun? HOW MUCH should I bargain for and how long it might take? How about if I go straight to Beijing from Simatai by taxi (time and price-I-should-stick-too)?
Is it easy to find taxis around Simatai after 5 pm? I want to be on the wall when the sun begins to set because I find it to be the best time to view nature. But it seems that everyone (tourist groups and transport for them) leaves by 2pm and I am very afraid I will not be able to catch not-insanely-overpriced ride back to the capital. But if I am caught in the situation when there is practically no one and I have to take a taxi to Miyu (to reach it before 6:30) or straight to Beijing, how much should be reasonable to pay?
Thank you in advance.
Sep. 1,2009 21:46
Mr.GREEN replied:
I went to Simatai three years ago. Here is my experience. I traveled Simatai with three of my friends. We hired a car (local private car) from Simatai parking lot to Miyun, it costs us 40yuan, but this is not a fixed price, which I mean you can bargain, and I don't know if the price changes at this time. We spent about one hour to Miyun bus station (if my memory not bad). If you take a taxi straightly from Simatai to Beijing, it will probably cost 300 to 400 yuan. It is not a big problem to find a taxi after 5pm. There are many cars at Simatai parking lot which are willing to take visitors back to Miyun or Beijing. Good luck!
Sep. 2,2009 16:02
Mr.Tracey(U.K) replied:
My wife and myself just did this very walk in the middle of August. We are both in our late 40s and found it no problem whatsoever. (we do not do any walking back in the U.K). it took us about 2 and Three quater hours and we stopped a lot to take photographs about 300 in all. We went with a company and the cost was $26.00 which included the 3 hour mini bus journey to Jingshanling all entrance fees and the three hour journey back in same mini bus. It is a fantastic experiance and we highly reccommend it.Tip,, use the zip line at Simatai it was a great way to get back down off the wall. We were visiting from the U.k
Sep. 2,2009 16:50
Ms.Nika replied:
Mr.GREEN,
Thank you for your answer and the "Good Luck" wish! :)
One hour and 40 yuan from Simatai to Miyun seems to be a very good perspective. And I'm relieved to hear there is transport after 5pm.
Sep. 5,2009 23:27
Ms.Nika replied:
Mr.Tracey,
Thank you for your reply!
> We are both in our late 40s and found it no problem whatsoever. (we do not do any walking back in the U.K).
I'm also a person who doesn't do much exercise/hiking so it's good to know that the Great Wall is not that hard.
Oh well, I would do it anyway!
> Tip,, use the zip line at Simatai it was a great way to get back down off the wall.
I'm planning to! I saw the photographs and I would never forgive myself if I chickened out of taking that flying fox. It's like an Amusement Park treat after the hike! :D
I will probably be holding on for dear life though.
Sep. 16,2009 08:30
Mr.sue(australia) replied:
We just got back from Simati tonight. We took the bus from Simaati -6 yuan - then the 980 bus from Miyun to Beijing long distance bus station -15 yuan. The last bus left Simati at 4.30.
If you are going from Beijing take the 980 bus and stay on until it reaches the depot at Miyun. Someone will get on the bus and tell you to get off before this but stay on it so as to connect with next bus. Otherwise you wil have to hire a 'taxi' for about 180 yuan. You wil be told there is no bus to Simati, but this is not true.
I suggest you stay the night at Simati. There is a dirty (bathroom) and rundown so called youth hostel at the base of Sumati. We had a private room for 280 per night. Great views. We stayed on the wall until dusk. Locals may also offer accommodation for 50 yuan each person.
6.
Aug. 23,2009 03:07 Reply
Ms.Blue(USA) said:
I just completed the hike from Sumatai to from Jinshanling today. There were only a handful of water sellers, but note that we started very early and saw few other hikers. I understand in the afternoon water and beer sellers are more numbered.
the hike was strenuous, especially after hiking the previous day from Gubeiko to Jinshanling and spending the night in JSL. It took me and my friend 3hours 15 minutes to complete the JSL to Sumatai hike today but we are 30 and 35 years old and regular exercisers.
I do not think this section is particularly dangerous for those in good health and fitness. Be aware the steps can be crumbling and very high in some places. You need to be careful and trekkiong pooles, which I did not have, would have been an advantage for stability on some of the sections. The unrestored portions are so much more beautiful than the restored parts, they provide a different sense of history.
Take lots of water. People will take your empty bottles from you for local recycling. Also wear sunscreen and a hat. Carry your items in a well fitted backpack for best stability and balance and wear good traction shoes or hiking boots.
Enjoy- this was a wonderful experience!
7.
Aug. 15,2009 21:56 Reply
Ms.Ruth(USA) said:
Hi just a quick correction to next post- we just returned and from Jinshanling to Simitai is 10K - there a 2 or 3 places that you hop down onto a trail beside the wall- and there is some repair work in progress- but they stop to let you thru. Think about supportiing the folks on the wall- this is a poor country and they hike up there with ice, coolers and water. They are asking a US $1 for water and drinks- so plan accordingly and don't bother to carry more than a bottle or two- and I guarantee in this heat- you will drink 5 or 6 bottles of something on this great up and down route- it's challenging and amazing. DO IT! Plan for time to just sitting and taking it all in. If you want to carry something- carry lunch and hang out on the wall for awhile.
Aug. 16,2009 19:55
Ms.Linda(cn) replied:
Thank you, Ms.Ruth, your travel tips are very helpful to my travel to Simatai in this coming October.
8.
Aug. 14,2009 12:53 Reply
Mr.Gejo(Argentina) said:
Hello China travellers.
I would like to give my opinion and comments as I've just performed and enjoyed the 3km trek from Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall:
-It is not dangerous at all.
-Grab some fruits and water in Beijing if you don't wanna pay extra costs for it at the great wall. (10RMB for water, coke or beer cans)
-Take the 980 bus to Muyin and then bargain a taxi (after dealing a couple of minutes the best you can get is 70RMB to Jinshanling - shared ride)
-Pay 50RMB for entrance fee at Jinshangling and then 30RMB for a cablecar ride if you don't wanna make the way up to the GW. (no foreinger students cards accepted here)
-After the first 1.5km you will be asked to pay the Simatai GW entrance fee: 40RMB (foreinger students cards are accepted here and you get half price dscnt).
-Almost finishing the way you'll cross a bridge and after this asked to pay 5RMB.
-Way back to beijing: you can bargain a minibus up to 70RMB at Simatai campsite. This makes me think that you can get the same from Beijing to Jingshang if you make a good job.
-Note: I've really tried to find the local 8RMB bus before and after the trekking, and was not possible to get it, seems not to exist.
Enjoy it, is a great experience if you made the way up to Beijing.
Good luck!
Gejo.
Aug. 15,2009 20:46
Mr.Jakoba(India) replied:
Thank you, Mr. Gejo, your comment is very valuable to me, as I'm also looking for a trek from Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall.
9.
Mar. 26,2009 03:38 Reply
Mrs.Arapin(Thailand) said:
If I go to Simatai Great Wall by myself :
Take No. 980 or 970 city bus at Dongzhimen in Beijing to Miyun County and then get on the bus to the Simatai Great Wall.
1.What is bus number that I will take at Miyun Country to Simatai ?
2.Does the bus reach to Simatai ?
3.How much is cost of bus ?
4.How long is the bus from Miyun to Simatai ?
God bless you.
Mar. 29,2009 20:24
Ms.Cora(Cora) replied:
Hi, Mrs. Arapin,
There are taxies which take you to Simatai Great Wall. You can bargin with the taxi driver for a good price to take you directly to Simatai.
Have a nice trip!
Jun. 6,2009 13:55
Ms.Dora(Portugal) replied:
Hi,
In what district is Dongzhimen? Where is that? I haven't found any timetables for the no. 980 ou 970, can you tell me where can i find?
Thank you
Jun. 6,2009 22:01
Mr.Smith replied:
To Ms.Dora,
Dongzhimen is located in Dongcheng District. The bus no.980 runs from Dongzhimen Wai (Out of Dongzhimen) to Miyun Long-distance bus station between 05:50 and 20:00. The bus no.970 also runs from Dongzhimen Wai (Out of Dongzhimen) to Miyun Long-distance bus station, but between 05:40 and 19:00.
Jun. 25,2009 15:58
Mrs.Dora(Portugal) replied:
Hello,
Sorry to bother you again. Are there any buses, instead of taxis, from Miyun to Simatai? And to come back? Is easy? Do you think a whole day is enough to go and come back?
Thank you,
Dora
Jul. 9,2009 03:38
Ms.Cora replied:
To Mrs.Dora,
I heard there is a Miyun to Simatai Special Bus Line. It runs from Miyun Xin Nong Cun (New Village) to Simatai Great Wall. It runs between 07:30 and 14:40 from Miyun to Simatai, and between 09:00 and 16:00 from Simatai to Miyun. The ticket costs CNY8. One day is enough to go and come back if you start early.
10.
Jul. 8,2009 23:23 Reply
Ms.Liu(Canada ) said:
Hi - how much does a taxi cost from Simata to Beijing, and how easy is it to find one in the afternoon?
Jul. 9,2009 03:09
Ms.Cora replied:
Hi, you can hire a car at Simatai Parking lot. It costs CNY 150 on average, but you can and must bargin with the driver, for most drivers would ask too much. Or you can share a car with other visitors, there are many visitors will go back to Beijing like you. It will be much cheaper.