Simatai Great Wall – Best Wall for a Night Tour

Written by Clementine | Updated October 24,2025

Simatai Great Wall, located in the north of Miyun district, Beijing, is adjacent to Gubei Water Town about 150km (95 miles) away from the urban area of Beijing. Simatai Reservoir divides the Great Wall into east and west sections. It is the only Great Wall in China that retains the original appearance of the Ming dynasty, so it is a valuable world cultural heritage.

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• Basic Facts about the Simatai Great Wall
• Why Choose to Visit Simatai Great Wall?
• Simatai Camping: Sleep Under the Stars
• Simatai Great Wall Night Tour
• Other Things to Do at Simatai Great Wall
• Historical and Architectural Deep Dive
• How to Buy Entrance Tickets to Simatai Great Wall?
• Best Time to Visit Simatai Great Wall
• How to Get to Simatai Great Wall?
• FAQs about Simatai Great Wall
• Plan Your Great Wall Tour with China Xian Tour

Basic Facts about the Simatai Great Wall

• The total length of the Simatai Great Wall is 19 kilometers (11.8 miles). It was built in the Ming Dynasty in 1373 and was then repaired by General Qi Jiguang and his fellows.
• The length of the section in the Simatai Great Wall scenic spot is 5.4 kilometers (3.3 miles), and the highest point of the Great Wall is the “Fairy Maiden Building”, which can only be reached by climbing the “Heavenly Ladder”. The ladder is 100 meters high with a slope of 85 degrees, almost vertical, and one needs to be brave enough to conquer it.
• There are 34 watch towers in total, of which 18 towers are in the west and 16 in the east.
• Camping on the Great Wall of China – Simatai Great Wall

Why Choose to Visit Simatai Great Wall?

• Simatai Great Wallis is the only section of the Great Wall of China open for night tours. Thus, visitors may have chances to see the night view of the Great Wall as well as Gubei Water Town, which may leave an impressive travel experience for
• Due to the steepness of the Great Wall here, it is an important strategic area and difficult to access, which just like the Chinese old saying goes, “If one man guards the pass, ten thousand men are unable to get through”.
• In 2012, Simatai Great Wall was rated as “the top 25 scenic spots in the world” by the Times newspaper.
• Simaitai Great Wall is inside the Guibei Water Town, which is a tourist resort in itself, so restaurants, hotels, and entertainment facilities are all well-equipped, offering great convenience to tourists.
• Compared with other sections, Simaitai preserves the original wild look and rugged paths, making it suitable to feel the primitive charm of the Great Wall and take photos.

Simatai Camping: Sleep Under the Stars

The Great Wall of China is always packed with people while camping at the foot of Simatai Great Wall is a more tranquil experience. Surrounded by mountains and ancient stones of the Great Wall, the camping area connects to the Yuanyang Lake Reservoir, which also allows you to enjoy the stunning views of the water.

As a great place for camping, Simatai greets you with the beautiful sunset over the mountains and the Great Wall as well as the starry night sky at night, which is extremely attractive. Besides, it must be a memorable experience for you to sleep under the stars, listen to the soft breeze, and sense the history of the Great Wall. On the second day, you’ll be amazed by the charming morning sunrise on the Simatai Great Wall, which makes this camping tour more unforgettable.

Related reading: Where to Eat near the Great Wall of China

Simatai Great Wall Night Tour

Night Tour on Simatai is one of the best and most famous night tours of the Great Walls in China, allowing visitors to explore the charm of the places of interest with less crowds and cooler temperatures. Also, for your safety, take a zip line to ascend and descend, which also allows you to overlook the magnificent mountains and the Simatai Great Wall.

The lights will be on at about 7:00 pm, and you can walk along the Great Wall as it glows under carefully placed lights, showing its architectural beauty. When climbing to the highest point, look far into the distance, the charming scenery makes you feel as if you’ve traveled through time. By the way, the night tours often start at 5:30 pm and last for several hours. If time allows, get there in advance, and you’ll have the chance to see the beautiful sunset at the Simatai Great Wall.

Besides, there are various restaurants and hotels near the Simatai Great Wall. After the night walk and exploration on the Great Wall of China, you can stay at a hotel you like, just make sure to make a reservation in advance.

Other Things to Do at Simatai Great Wall

Simatai Great Wall is more than just a historical site, it offers a variety of activities for you to adventure. Below are the wonderful things to do at Simatai, never miss them on your Great Wall of China tours.

1. Hike along the Simatai Great Wall

Hiking the Simatai Great Wall is challenging yet enjoyable. The well-preserved walls show their original appearance, and hiking there allows you to witness the craftsmanship of ancient China. Also, you’ll discover the rugged trails as well as the panoramic views of the Great Wall and the surrounding mountains and valleys.

2. Visit Gubei Water Town

Gubei Water Town, located in Gubeikou Town, Miyun district, is close to the most beautiful part of the Simatai Great Wall. The night view there is most attractive for tourists and it becomes a new landmark of Beijing night tour. The scenic area has 430,000 square meters of the exquisite architecture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The area is a resort with a unique northern style at the foot of the Great Wall, which integrates sightseeing, leisure, business exhibitions, creative culture, and other tourism activities.

Related reading: How to travel to Gubei Water Town from Beijing

3. Take a Boat Ride on the Yuanyang Lake

As a pearl at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, Yuanyang Lake shows the picturesque landscape of lakes and mountains, and it must be a wonderful experience for you to take a boat ride there. Marvel at the crystal-clear waters, see the mountains moving backward, and feel the wind blowing softly on your face, all these will make you at ease. Besides, you’ll see waterfowl skimming the water, bringing vigor to the tranquil scenery.

4. Soak in the Springs

After a day tour of hiking or exploring, going to a spring will be a good choice for you to relax, no matter if it’s in winter or summer. There are many natural springs near Simatai Great Wall, which are rich in various minerals and are good for your health. What’s more, most outdoor spring pools are surrounded by mountains and rivers, and you can enjoy the marvelous scenery while soaking in the spring.

5. Immerse Yourself in the Great Wall Music Fountain Show

Never miss the Great Wall Music Fountain Show near Simatai on your Beijing tours. It is a visual feast unfolding on Wangjing Street in the town leaning against the majestic Simatai Great Wall. Elements of water, fire, music, technology, and ancient architecture are merged, presenting a collision between modernity and tradition as well as a crossover between art and technology. Step to the beat of the music and dance along with the fancy lights, and you’ll be immersed in the fountain show.

6. Take Breathtaking Photos

Simatai Great Wall of China is a paradise for photographers, and almost every part of it offers good opportunities for taking beautiful pictures. The magnificent Great Wall, the graceful mountains, the stunning rivers, the starry sky, and the fancy lights at night, can all be captured on your Beijing tours and lingering in your memory. Particularly, you can photograph at sunrise or sunset when it shows an interweaving of light and shadow, presenting a picturesque scenery.

Historical and Architectural Deep Dive

Heavenly Ladder and Prominent Towers

Heavenly Ladder: It is located between the East Tower 14 and 15. Though its length is only about 100 meters, the slope is almost vertical with a gradient of 85°. The narrowest place is just as wide as one brick, only enough for one foot. Both sides are valleys over 100 meters deep. It is not hard to imagine how perilous it is.

Tower 15 (Goddess Tower): It is the most delicate tower with double lotus flowers engraved on the white marble archway and inside it is an octagonal caisson ceiling. Legend has it that fairies used to live there.

Tower 16 (Wangjing Tower): At an altitude of 986 meters, it is the highest point of Simatai Great Wall. This hollow three-story watchtower offers an excellent view. On sunny days, you can even enjoy a distant view of Beijing.

Tower 6: It is a typical representative of the Great Wall defense system after the improvement by Qi Jiguang.

East vs. West Sections

How to Buy Entrance Tickets to Simatai Great Wall?

An entrance ticket can be bought at the ticket station of the Simatai Great Wall. But if it’s peak season, you may need to make a reservation online in advance through the official ticketing system or the Gubei Water Town’s official WeChat account.

Simatai Great Wall Ticket Price

Price of Entrance Tickets:

Price of Cable Car:

Simatai Great Wall Opening Time & Area

Daytime:

Night time:

Opening area:

From East Tower NO.1^st to East Tower NO.10^th

Best Time to Visit Simatai Great Wall

Although Simatai Great Wall is suitable for sightseeing all year round, visitors will enjoy the most breathtaking scenery in Spring and Autumn. The weather is warm and pleasant in Spring. In Autumn, the maple leaves turn red and cover the mountain, which is just like an oil painting.

How to Get to Simatai Great Wall?

Getting to Simatai Great Wall from Beijing

• By Driving: This is a popular way to get to the Simatai Great Wall. Just drive along the Jingcheng Expressway, get off at Exit Simatai, and make your way to the parking lot of the scenic area. It is about 140 kilometers, which may take about 2 hours and cost CNY 60.
• By Train: A train travel from Beijing to Simatai takes about 2 hours and costs CNY 12. Head to Beijing North Railway Station, Changping North Railway Station, or Qinghe Railway Station to board a train toward Gubeikou Railway Station, and get on a taxi to the Great Wall afterward.
• By Tourist Bus: A tourist bus to Simatai Great Wall is available. It departs from Dongzhimen to Gubei Water Town directly, near to which the Simatai Great Wall is located. By the way, a bus trip usually takes 2 hours and costs CNY 48. Below is a timetable for the tourist bus.

Getting to Simatai from Other Sections of the Great Wall

• From Jinshanling to Simatai Great Wall: Jinshanling Great Wall is next to Simatai Great Wall, but the junction of the two sections has been blocked off. So you need to take a big detour via the highway to get there. Besides, you are advised to start a one-day hiking tour from Jingshanling to the Simatai Great Wall and marvel at the different charms at different sections.
• From Mutianyu to Simatai Great Wall: Mutianyu Great Wall is about 100 kilometers from Simatai Great Wall, which takes a 2-hour drive to reach one from the other.
• FromGubeikou to Simatai Great Wall of China: Gubeikpu Great Wall is nearly 12 kilometers from Simatai Great Wall. A bus or taxi travel there takes about 25 minutes.

FAQs about Simatai Great Wall

What are the main ticket price components?

The ticket includes only the admission fee.

How long to spend at Simatai Great Wall?

Usually, 3 – 4 hours is enough.

How do I get from Gubei Water Town to Simatai Great Wall?

The first choice is the shuttle bus. It runs from the parking lot to the ticket office of the Great Wall. Or take the electric car in the town to the foot of the Great Wall. The last choice is walking. The distance from the town to the ticket office takes about 30 – 40 minutes.

What are the general operating hours?

The daytime operating hours are from 09:00 – 17:00. While the nighttime operating hour vary according to seasons, weekends and weekdays with a range of 17:30/18:00 – 22:30/23:00.

Which sections of the Simatai Great Wall are open to the public?

The regularly open areas are west section and from tower 1 to 10 in the east section.

How difficult is the Simatai hike?

In fact, it is relatively difficult. Simatai Great Wall is famous for perilous terrain. The steps are rugged and some sections are steep, so it is a great challenge to strength.

Plan Your Great Wall Tour with China Xian Tour

The Great Wall is a must-visit attraction for every tourist in Beijing. But each section has different features and boasts different difficulty level to tour, so choosing the one suitable for you is also important. For example, for the elders, Simatai is too dangerous, but Badaling is very suitable with well-developed facilities. Our travel consultant can recommend the suitable one for you according to your body conditions. Also, we can tailor a Beijing trip to include other attractions you like. So contact China Xian Tour right now.