Explore the breathtaking Simatai Great Wall, renowned for its authentic preservation and stunning views, located within reach of Beijing.

If you are planning your first Great Wall visit, the hardest part is not the hiking. It is picking a section and sorting tickets and transport without ending up on a tour you did not want.

Simatai is the section I would pick again. It is further from Beijing than the usual options, but that also filters out a lot of crowds. I went on a Monday and it was almost empty in long stretches. I got photos with basically no one in them, without trying too hard.

Why I picked Simatai (and when I would not)

Simatai feels more wild than the classic first-timer sections. Steeper stairs, more uneven stones, and long stretches where you are walking a ridge.

It is also a longer day and the logistics are a bit less plug-and-play. If you want the easiest Great Wall day trip, Mutianyu is usually simpler.

If you hate steep stairs or feel uneasy with heights, think twice. Simatai has parts that feel narrow and exposed. It is safe, but it does not feel flat and easy.

Getting there from Beijing

The simplest budget option is the direct express bus between Beijing (Dongzhimen) and Gubei Water Town. The official page shows departures like 08:00 from Beijing and 15:00 return from Gubei Water Town, and they describe the ride as about 2 to 2.5 hours.

If you want flexibility, a private car or Didi is the least stressful. This is especially nice if you are two or more people, or if you want to stay for sunset. The downside is cost, and you sometimes need a bit of patience getting a ride back if you stay late.

Public transport with transfers is possible, but it is slow and annoying at the end of the day. Even detailed guides that explain it still describe it as time-consuming.

Tickets and booking

This is the part that confuses most people, because Simatai is tied to Gubei Water Town.

Daytime visiting is roughly 09:00 to 17:00, but ticket checking for the wall stops earlier (often shown as 15:00), and they clear people out around 16:30.
So do not arrive mid afternoon and expect a full hike.

If you see an option with the cable car included, it is usually worth it (if you want to take the cable car). The official ticket pages list day tour and night tour options bundled with cable car rides, plus combo tickets with the water town.

My route advice for getting that “empty photos” feeling

Arrive early and move past the first viewpoints. The wall spreads people out fast, and Simatai is big enough that small timing differences matter.

If you are deciding between hiking up from the bottom or using the cable car, I would hike from the bottom if you have the energy. The trip up to the wall, is also very nice and beautiful.

Pick a goal, then turn around when it stops being fun. There is no prize for forcing a full stretch if your legs are cooked. I liked walking until I felt I had left the “cluster” behind, then just enjoying it.

What the hike actually feels like

Simatai is not hard in a technical sense. It is just steep and a bit relentless.

Expect a lot of stairs. Big steps, uneven stones, and sections where you naturally slow down.

Shoes matter more than fitness. Any decent sneaker with grip is fine. Smooth soles are not.

Bring water and a snack even if you think you never need it. Once you are on the wall, you will be happy you have it. This is the kind of practical advice that shows up again and again in Great Wall threads.

Conclusion

Simatai was one of those days where China felt big in the best way. It took effort to get out there, but once I was on the wall, it felt calm and simple.

If you plan transport first and respect the daytime cutoffs, you will be fine. And if you can go on a weekday, do it. It changes the whole experience.