The Simatai stretch of the Great Wall is located in Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, 120 kilometers away from downtown Beijing. It is largely in its original state, as it has not undergone much renovation like other sections near Beijing. It was built in the early year of Emperor Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, and reinforced in the year from Longqing to Wanli Emperor when Qi Jiguang served as the commander-in-chief of Ji Town. It was the subordinate to Gubeikou of Ji Town, one of “Nine Towns” of Ming Dynasty. In 1987, Simatai Great Wall was repaired by Beijing Municipal Government and opened to the public in 1990.

East from Wangjinglou, west of Houchuankou, Simatai Great Wall is 5.7-kilometer-long with 35 watchtowers. It was the densest section of the Great Wall and is at points watchtowers are just 20m apart. The mountains in Simatai are high and steep that like a coiling dragon and crouching tiger. With a unique design, novel structure and distinct shape, it has been so well preserved that it shows the wisdom of ancient workers. It also has high scientific value in terms of military characterstics, architecture and artistic value. Luo Zhewen, a -Chinese expert on the Great Wall of China once said: "The Great Wall is the best architecture in China, while the Simatai Great Wall section is the best among the Great Wall sections".

After opening to the public, Simatai Great Wall has successively established recreational facilities as ropeway, rope bridge, pleasure-boat, express train and zipline etc. Since 2002, Simatai Great Wall annually held activities as running through the Great Wall and spring outing etc that attracted masses of tourists.

Ticket: 40 RMB

How to Get There:

1. Take the tourist special bus from Xuanwumen or Qianmen through to the Simatai Great Wall.

2. Take No. 980 or 970 Bus at Dongzhimen to Miyun District and then get on the bus to the Simatai Great Wall.