16 Jun 2025 - PEK Day 3: Simatai Great Wall (司马台长城)

After hiking up the mountain from the cable car station which took us about 20 minutes, we finally stepped on the Great Wall of China (万里长城)!  There is a Chinese phrase "不到长城非好汉", which means "One who fails to reach the Great Wall is not a true man".  So now, we can call ourselves hero and heroines!

Based on the below tourist map, there are several options to visit the Great Wall.  We took the steeper hiking trail that led us to Tower No 8.  From this point, we attempted to climb all the way to Tower No 10.

As Tracy had some knee issues, only Jerlene and I proceeded our adventure to Tower 10.  The climb from Tower 8 to Tower 9 was the most demanding. The Wall narrowed, the steps steeper, and in places the path seemed almost vertical.

Reaching Tower 9 felt like a true accomplishment. From here, the Wall looked both majestic and intimidating — its jagged outline clinging stubbornly to the mountain ridge.

Tower 9 itself is a striking structure, commanding a wide view of both valleys below. From here, we can feel the military genius behind the Wall.  

The hike from Tower 9 to Tower 10 was easier as the slope was more gentle.

Finally, we reached Tower 10, the highest point open to visitors. It stands partly in ruins, its weathered brickwork and jagged battlements giving it a sense of raw authenticity.

Eastward, the Wall continues into even more dangerous ridges, though these are closed to tourists for safety.

The descent was easier but still demanded caution, especially on the uneven steps. With each downward glance, Gubei Watertown grew larger.

At this point, let me share some facts and history of Simatai Great Wall.  Perched above Gubei Watertown, the Simatai Great Wall (司马台长城) is one of the most dramatic and authentic sections of the Great Wall open to visitors. Unlike the fully restored stretches at Badaling or Mutianyu, Simatai retains much of its rugged, original character, making it a must-see for travelers looking for a more authentic experience.  The best part is that there was no crowd at all.  As you can see from most of our photos, we almost "owned" the wall all to ourselves.

The Simatai section of the Great Wall lies in Miyun District, about 120 km northeast of central Beijing. It was originally constructed during the Northern Qi Dynasty (6th century), but what we see today was largely rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty under General Qi Jiguang (16th century), a legendary figure in Chinese military history. What makes Simatai unique is that it has preserved much of its original Ming Dynasty appearance. UNESCO has praised Simatai as retaining the “original features of the Ming Great Wall,” unlike other sections that have been heavily restored.

We returned to Tower 8 and regrouped with Tracy.  We took a short break here before descending to Tower 7.

We spent slightly more than an hour admiring the beauty of the Great Wall and the surrounding breathtaking views.  This visit to the Great Wall was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip to Beijing.

We took the same hiking trail down the ridges and back to the cable car station.

The cable car station sits just below the Wall, tucked into the hillside. Boarding was simple, and within minutes we were gently lifted off the ground. The cabin windows framed spectacular views,

The ride took about 10 minutes, gliding smoothly over treetops and streams.

For those who have phobia of taking cable car and have more time to spare, they can take a much longer hike from Gubei Watertown, via this entrance shown below.

When we looked at the map of the entire stretch of the Great Wall, we can really understand why this is one of the Wonders of the World.

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