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Location Map: How to Get to Simatai
Simatai Great Wall is located about 120 km northeast of Beijing, near Gubei Water Town. Most visitors reach Simatai by first heading to Gubei Water Town, then entering the Great Wall scenic area from there.
On the map, you can clearly see the route from Beijing to Simatai, along with the main transportation options.
By Car (Most Popular)
Book a private transfer or join a guided tour from Beijing. Door-to-door service, ideal if you want a hassle-free trip.
It takes about 2-2.5 hours to get from Beijing to Gubei Water Town.
By Direct Tour Bus (Simplest)
Direct tourist buses run between Beijing and Gubei Water Town. You'll depart from Wangjingxi (Wangjing West) Bus Station (Arrive by Metro Line 15, 17, 13) at 9:00 and 13:00.
The buses are limited and departure station may change depends on season. Ticket price is ¥48 only, very affordable. It takes about 2.5 hours to get to Gubei Water Town.
This is the most convenient option for independent travelers—no transfers needed.
3 Days
1 PlaceBy Train + Taxi
If you want more budget choice, the Suburban Line S5 (Beijing North → Gubeikou) can take you to the Gubeikou Station in 2.5 hours. It's more like subway, no assigned seating.
The Gubeikou Station is 17 km away from Simatai Great Wall, 30-minute car ride or shuttle bus ride is needed.
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Sightseeing Map: Simatai Great Wall Layout & Highlights
Unlike larger sections of the Great Wall, Simatai is compact but dramatic.
This sightseeing map helps you quickly understand how the open section is laid out, where the key towers are, and how your visit will unfold.
From the map, you can clearly see the full open east section (East 1 – East 10 Watchtowers), marked with walking paths, cable car stations, key watchtowers, steep sections, and night tour zones.
Simatai Great Wall - Experience the Wall Under Night Sky
- Total Length (Open): ~1 km (East Section only: Towers 1–10)
- Divided by: Simatai Reservoir into East & West sections
- West: Closed to tourists (preserved original wild Great Wall)
- East: Only open part (Towers 1–10) – steep, dramatic, original Ming condition
- Hike Trail: Starts at the base → up to East 2
- Cable Car: Goes directly to East 8
- Zip Line: From East 2 down to Gubei Water Town
- Night Tour: Only cable-car accessible (East 5–East 8)
Key Watchtowers & Highlights (East 1 to East 10)
| Section | Towers | What It's Like | Highlights | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start Zone | East 1–2 | Flat and easy, gradual incline | Original Ming bricks & rammed earth structure | Warm-up, first views |
| Steep Climb | East 3–4 | Very steep (up to ~80°), narrow paths (~50 cm) | Most dramatic and thrilling section | Adventure seekers, epic photos |
| Core Highlight | East 5 | Largest and best-preserved tower | Arched interior, multiple windows, great light & shadow | Architecture lovers, photography |
| Ridge Walk | East 6–7 | Wider and more relaxed path | Open ridgeline views, good resting spots | Scenic walking, casual hikers |
| Turning Point | East 8 | Cable car upper station | Key transfer point; night tour limit | Route decision point |
| Wild Peak | East 9–10 | More rugged, quieter, less restored | Original stone structure, highest viewpoints | Experienced hikers |
Travel Map: Simatai Great Wall Travel Routes
The Simatai Great Wall has a very simple layout with almost no branching paths.
One hiking trail leads up to East Tower 2, and one cable car goes to East Tower 5 and East Tower 8.
For descending, there is an extra option: a zip line that runs from East Tower 2 across Gubei Reservoir all the way to the foot of the mountain.
Ticket & Transport Fees (Reference)
| Visitor Type | Entrance Ticket | Cable Car (One Way) | Cable Car (Round Trip) | Zipline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | RMB 40 | RMB 130 | RMB 200 | RMB 80 |
| Child (1.2–1.5 m) | RMB 20 | RMB 70 | RMB 110 | RMB 60 |
Route 1: Cable Car Round Trip (Easiest)
Cable car up → explore Towers 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → cable car down
Travel Time: ~1.5 hours
The most relaxed option—very easy and energy-saving, ideal for families and seniors.
Extended version:
Cable car up → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → back to 8 → cable car down
Travel Time: ~2 hours
Covers the full highlight section and reaches higher viewpoints with less effort.
For safety reasons, night tours require cable car round trips, and visitors can only explore between Towers 5–8.
Route 2: One-Way Cable Car Up (Best Overall)
Cable car up → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → hike down or take zipline
Travel Time: ~2–2.5 hours
The best-balanced route:
- Covers all major highlights
- Mostly downhill → easier on the legs
- Option to end with a fun zipline experience
Route 3: Full Hiking Route (Not Recommended for Most)
Base → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 → 10 → return the same way
Travel Time: ~3–4 hours
More wild and authentic Great Wall experience, but quite tiring with lots of backtracking.
- The section between Towers 5–8 is the core scenic area
- Cable car lines can be busy, especially on weekends
- The zipline is optional but fun, especially for first-time visitors
Simatai Great Wall Vs. Other Sections of the Great Wall
| Section | Distance from Beijing | Transport Time (One-way) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badaling | ~70 km | 1–1.5 hrs (bus/S2/high-speed rail) | Most famous, fully restored, best facilities, closest to city, most crowded, Accessible by bullet train |
| Mutianyu | ~75 km | 1.5–2 hrs (bus/car) | 90% forest cover, cable car + toboggan, less crowded, wide gentle paths, Tower 14–20 (peak view) |
| Jinshanling | ~130 km | 2.5–3 hrs (car/tour bus) | Original Ming structure, dense watchtowers, sunrise/sunset, few tourists, photo paradise |
| Simatai | ~120 km | 2.5–3 hrs (car) | Only original Ming wall open for night tours, steep & narrow, connected to Gubei Water Town |
| Jiankou | ~80 km | 2 hrs (car) | Wild & unrenovated, dramatic ridges, no facilities |
Night tours are no longer exclusive to Simatai—Badaling, Juyongguan, Mutianyu, and Jinshanling now offer evening access, primarily in summer to avoid daytime heat.
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