Simatai Great Wall is a section of the ancient Great Wall that preserves the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall in China. Constructed along the steep and rugged mountain ridges, it is incredibly perilous and has created a diversity in the form of its walls. The eastern section features 16 watchtowers, while the western section has 18. The scenic area currently only opens 10 watchtowers in the eastern section (up to the East No.
10 watchtower). The authentic Simatai Great Wall, a Great Wall attraction that opened relatively late in the Beijing area, is located at the border of Beijing and Hebei, farther from the city center compared to other Great Wall attractions like Badaling. Consequently, it has fewer visitors and avoids the overcrowding seen at Badaling. Additionally, due to its later development, Simatai Great Wall has avoided excessive restoration, making it more authentic compared to Badaling. Almost everywhere you look, you see broken walls and ruins. Every autumn, the red leaves here attract many visitors. Viewing the red leaves on the ancient Great Wall is a completely different experience from viewing them at Fragrant Hills. For the hiking route, the mountain path to Simatai Great Wall is quite steep. It takes more than 1 kilometer of uphill walking from the foot of the mountain to the watchtower, requiring a certain amount of physical strength. There is a cableway at the foot of the Great Wall that can directly reach near ‘East Tower 8’ and ‘East Tower 5’. Visitors with limited physical strength can choose to take it. The cableway is 90 yuan for a single trip and 160 yuan for a round trip. Opening hours: The scenic area is open from 09:00 to 17:00 all year round; from 18:00 to 22:40 all year round for night visits. The Simatai Great Wall scenic area clears the mountain at 16:30 for day visits. Favourable policies: Children under 18 years old (excluding) can enter for free with valid identification; Seniors aged 60 and above can enter for free with their own valid identification; Retired officials can enter for free with the Retirement Honor Certificate issued by the State Council and the Central Military Commission; Disabled elderly in Beijing can enter for free with the ‘Beijing Tong—Elderly Assistance Card’; Disabled people can enter for free with the ‘Disabled Person’s Certificate’ issued by the China Disabled Persons’ Federation; Disabled military police and other personnel can enter for free with the ‘Disabled Soldier Certificate’, ‘Disabled People’s Police Certificate’, ‘Disabled Fire Rescue Personnel Certificate’, ‘Disabled Reserve Personnel Militia Worker Certificate’, and ‘On-duty Disabled Certificate’ issued by the veterans’ affairs departments; Journalists can enter for free with the press card issued by the General Administration of Press and Publication; Full-time college and university students aged 18 and above (excluding adult education and graduate students) can enjoy a discounted ticket of 20 yuan per person with a student card; Active-duty soldiers can enjoy a discounted ticket of 20 yuan per person with a valid certificate; National fire rescue personnel can enjoy a discounted ticket of 20 yuan per person with a valid certificate; People with a social security benefit certificate can enjoy a discounted ticket of 20 yuan per person. Service facilities: The reference price for transportation within the park is 130 yuan per person for a single trip, and 200 yuan for a round trip; Address: At the foot of Simatai Great Wall.
