Simatai

Simatai (司马台; Sīmǎtái) is a rugged and dramatic section of the Great Wall of China, located in Miyun District, roughly 120 km (75 mi) northeast of central Beijing. Unlike heavily restored sections like Badaling, Simatai retains much of its original Ming-dynasty masonry.

Simatai is unique for being the only section of the Great Wall illuminated for night tours and for its direct integration with Beijing WTown (also known as Gubei Water Town / 古北水镇), a massive resort built in the style of Jiangnan water towns, featuring canals, courtyard inns, artisan workshops, and cultural events at the foot of the mountains.

Simatai spans a precipitous ridge line. The wall was originally built during the Northern Qi dynasty (550–577) and rebuilt under General Qi Jiguang during the Ming dynasty.

• The Wall: Simatai is divided into an Eastern and Western section by the Mandarin Duck Lake Reservoir. Currently, only the East Section (Watchtowers 1 to 10) is open to regular tourists for safety and conservation reasons. Watchtower 8 (White Tower) and Tower 10 offer dramatic drop-offs and sweeping views.

• Beijing Wtown (Gubei Water Town): Constructed at the base of Simatai, it mimics the canal architecture of Wuzhen while using northern stone and timber. The state-owned resort offers 10 boutique hotels, 28 guesthouses and over 30 independent restaurants. Visiting Simatai typically involves passing through or taking a dedicated transfer route around the water town.

Multiple options by bus are available. The busses arrive and depart from the 40.643592117.2585691 bus stop at parking lot P2. Stated below are the departure times at origin. If you want to know departure times from Beijing WTown check the description of the image Beijing WTown bus departure timetable. All times are up-to-date as of 2026.

• 39.897582116.3919422 Direct Tourist Bus from Qianmen (At the south side of the Archery Tower (正阳门箭楼)). Departs daily from Qianmen in central Beijing directly to the Beijing WTown parking lot P2. Travel time often exceeds 3 hours due to heavy grid lock in the city. Departures typically run around 09:00. As of 2026 this bus can be booked on platforms like Trip.com. ¥48 one-way.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 39.994221116.4444173 Direct Bus from Wangjing West Transport Hub (Wangjing West metro stop of line 13, 15 and 17. Gate 5, Bus Mezzanine Floor.). Daily departures at 09:00 and 13:00. Much faster than from Qianmen (around 2h). Cash payment to the bus conductor only. ¥48 one-way.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 39.936494116.425514 Direct Bus from CYTS Building (West side of CYTS building (?)). Departures at 09:00. Advanced booking via WeChat necessary. Might get cancelled if the weather in Simatai is bad. ¥48 one-way.  (updated Sep 2026)

On weekends there are busses to/from 39.975936116.3867095 Beijing Beitucheng and 40.078843116.5823596 Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) as well. See Beijing WTown bus departure timetable for more details.

Note: Up to around 2025 there were direct busses from Dongzhimen bus terminal. As of 2026 those services are discontinued.

• Take a 26 minutes high-speed train from 39.94318116.502127 Beijing Chaoyang Station to 40.350811116.8447028 Miyun Station (密云站) for around ¥30, then hail a taxi or charter a car to the scenic area (approx. 45–60 minutes, ¥250).
• Alternatively, take the Beijing Suburban Railway Huairou–Miyun Line (S5) from 39.945278116.3472229 Beijing North Railway Station to 40.690575117.13528210 Gubeikou Railway Station (2,5 hours, ¥12), then hire a local car or taxi for the 20-minute drive across the provincial border to the Beijing WTown main entrance (¥50)).

• Drive along the Jingcheng Expressway (G45) heading northeast toward Chengde. Take Exit 24 (Simatai / 司马台). Follow the road signs to Beijing WTown parking. (Approx. 2 hours outside peak traffic). A Didi costs around ¥500 one-way from Beijing's city center.

• On Foot: The primary way to explore both the Water Town and the Wall. Be prepared for steep, uneven, and narrow stone steps on Simatai.
• Electric Carts (within WTown): Electric shuttles run between the town entrance, hotel clusters, and the Great Wall cable car station (¥10–20 per ride; frequently included for registered resort hotel guests).
• Sightseeing Boats: Traditional rowing boats cruise the canals of Beijing WTown (approx. ¥80–120 depending on route).

You can purchase tickets for just the Water Town, or a combo ticket Water Town + Simatai Great Wall. It does not seem to be possible to visit the Simatai Wall without getting an entrance ticket to Beijing WTown. Tickets can be bought on the official Beijing WTown website or the usual booking sites.

• Beijing WTown Admission: ¥150 per adult (guests staying overnight in designated town hotels often receive free entry).
• Simatai Great Wall (Daytime): Admission to Beijing WTown + ¥40 per adult.
• Water Town + Simatai Wall Combo Ticket: ~¥170.
• Night Great Wall Tour: ~¥160 (includes round-trip cable car, as hiking up the mountain on foot in the dark is not permitted).
• Cable Car Fees (Daytime):
  • One-way: ¥100
  • Round-trip: ¥160
  • The cable car runs between the base station and Towers 5/6, bypassing the steepest uphill climb.

• 40.653095117.2727633 Simatai Great Wall (East Section) (司马台长城（东段）), Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun District (Accessible on foot via the trail from the base or via the cable car station inside Beijing WTown.), ☏ +86 10 81055516. Daily 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00). The only open section of Simatai, comprising 40.662219117.2752071 Watchtower 1 through 40.658719117.2840972 Watchtower 10. Tower 8 (known as the White Tower) sits perched atop a precipitous cliff ridge and offers sweeping views across the valley and Mandarin Duck Lake Reservoir. Tower 10 marks the boundary of the accessible public path. ¥40 (wall only); combo ticket with Beijing WTown ¥170.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.652227117.2747714 Simatai Night Wall Tour (司马台长城夜游), Simatai Cable Car Station (Board the cable car directly up to Tower 5/6. Walking up from the base on foot is not allowed after dark.), ☏ +86 10 81055516. 17:30–21:30 (summer hours may extend to 22:00). Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall illuminated at night. Handheld lanterns are available to carry along the walkway between Towers 5 and 6. The sight of the illuminated ridge winding across the dark peaks is one of the destination's primary highlights. ¥160 (includes round-trip cable car).  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.65208117.2718895 Eight Banners Guild Hall (八旗会馆), Inside Gubei Water Town (Located on the northern side of the resort.). 09:00–21:00. Showcases the military history and daily life of the Eight Banners (Baqi), the elite Manchu military system stationed at the Gubeikou border pass during the Qing dynasty to defend the capital. Exhibits include Qing battle banners, traditional armor, weaponry, historical barracks, and living quarters illustrating Manchu customs and cuisine. The central courtyard features a small martial arts drill ground where visitors can try traditional archery for a modest fee. Free with Gubei Water Town admission.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.647035117.2654386 Yongshun Dye House (永顺染坊), Inside Beijing WTown (Near the entrance zone of the water town along the main canal street.). 09:00–21:00. Founded in the late Qing dynasty, this workshop showcases traditional Chinese textile dyeing. Large bolts of indigo and brightly colored patterned fabrics hang from tall drying racks in the open-air courtyard, making it a popular photo stop. Visitors can try hands-on DIY cloth-dyeing workshops for an extra fee. Free with Beijing WTown admission.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.646552117.264997 Sima Distillery (司马小烧酒坊), Inside Beijing WTown (Located along the northern bank of the canal.). 09:00–21:00. A functioning traditional distillery producing local sorghum liquor (baijiu). Visitors can watch the fermentation, steaming, and distilling process inside the workshop, sample fresh spirits, and purchase ceramic jugs of liquor directly from the cellars. Free with Beijing WTown admission.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.649168117.2673278 Yang Wudi Ancestral Temple (杨无敌祠), Inside Beijing WTown (Located along Tangshi Street.). 09:00–20:30. A traditional shrine and museum honoring General Yang Ye and the legendary Yang Clan Warriors of the Northern Song dynasty, who guarded the border passes against northern invaders. Features carved memorial tablets, weapons displays, and statues of the warrior family. Free with Beijing WTown admission.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.652521117.2706859 Music Water Dance Show (望京楼音乐水舞秀与无人机孔明灯秀), Wangjinglou Square (Shows take place near the Wangjinglou Hotel). Nightly from 19:00 (shows run in 15–20 minute cycles; schedule posted daily). A nighttime multimedia performance featuring dancing water fountains, fire bursts, and 3D projection mapping against the stone walls of the resort. Free with Beijing WTown admission.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.649788117.26603910 Fire and Light Show (Small islet southwest of Riyue Island Square). 21:00. Fire show along the river in combination with a light show on the pagoda atop the hill.  (updated Sep 2026)

• Hike Simatai East Section: For fit hikers, walk up from Tower 1 through Tower 10. Expect very steep inclines, uneven historical steps, and sheer drops on either side.
• Night Wall Walk: Take the cable car up after dark, carry a rental lantern, and walk along Towers 5 and 6 under the night illumination.
• Watch Events & Shows (Beijing WTown):
  • Music Fountain & Water Dance Show: Nightly light, laser, and fountain show projected against the Wangjinglou Hotel stone facade.
  • Drone Lantern Show: Swarms of illuminated drones form 3D Great Wall and mythological figures above Riyue Island Square (weather permitting).
  • Shadow Puppet Plays & Acrobatic Shows: Performed daily at scheduled intervals in the town's traditional theaters and open-air stages.
• Hot Springs: Soak in hot springs fed by local geothermal wells (several boutique bathhouses and hotel pools are available inside the water town).

• Sima Xiaoshao Liquor: Bottled traditional sorghum liquor from the local distillery.
• Handmade Indigo Cloth: Scarves, bags, and tapestries from the Yongshun Dye House.
• Kites and Paper Lanterns: Available at artisan workshops across the town.

• 40.650698117.2689731 Junyue Inn Restaurant (君约客栈-餐厅). Very yummy dishes. Especially the fish is outstanding.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.65012117.266932 Riyue Island Food Street (日月岛小吃广场), Riyue Island Square, Beijing WTown (At the main square in the center of the resort.). 10:00–22:00. A cluster of open-air and counter-serve stalls selling regional street food. Notable snacks include freshly fried Qiaotou Gao (sweet red bean rice cakes with a crispy crust), shredded pork pastry pancakes, spiced lamb skewers, and bowl cakes. Ideal for quick meals between sightseeing and night shows. ¥10–40 per snack.  (updated Sep 2026)

• Enjoy local tea houses along the canal paths.
• Bars and modern craft beer spots line the town's central square and riverbanks.

Staying inside the resort allows you to experience the town and wall early in the morning and late at night after day-trippers depart. Furthermore the entrance fee to WTown is usually waived.

• 40.652171117.2686311 Beijing WTown Hotspring Resort. Upscale resort-style hotel with direct hot spring pool access.  (updated Sep 2026)

• 40.643408117.2630032 WTown Hotel (古北水镇大酒店) (Close to the main visitor's center of WTown). Another upscale option in WTown.  (updated Sep 2026)

• Boutique Inns & Homestays: Numerous resort-managed traditional courtyard guesthouses inside WTown (such as Baqi Inn and Duanjia Courtyard). Includes luggage transfer service from the tourist center. All of them include a breakfast that is pretty much same in each guesthouse.
• Budget Option: Hostels and local guesthouses (nongjiale) in nearby Gubeikou Village (10–15 minutes by bus or taxi outside the resort gates).

• Steep Drops: Simatai has minimal handrails in certain watchtowers and along narrow knife-edge ridges. Keep close watch on children and do not step past fenced-off barriers beyond Tower 10 (which leads to the closed and hazardous wild section toward Jinshanling).
• Footwear: Wear proper hiking boots or trail running shoes; the historical bricks are worn smooth and become slippery when wet, snowy, or icy.
• Winter Weather: Miyun is mountainous and noticeably colder and windier than downtown Beijing. Bring windproof layers and gloves, especially if visiting the wall at night.

• Gubeikou: A historic garrison village with an unrestored, rugged section of wild Great Wall (Wohushan and Panlongshan).
• Jinshanling: The adjacent wall section to the west, celebrated for its dense concentration of watchtowers (note: the direct walking path between Simatai and Jinshanling remains closed, requiring travel via highway/road).
• Chengde: Further northeast along the G45 expressway in Hebei, home to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Summer Resort and the Eight Outer Temples.