The night-lit Wall
Simatai is the only Great Wall section open after dark. Lanterns trace the battlements and the reflection on the reservoir below makes the evening walk genuinely atmospheric.
Great Wall & Landmarks
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Simatai Great Wall: Complete Visitor Guide
The only Wall open at night, reached only through Gubei Water Town
Simatai is the most dramatic and the most restricted Great Wall section near Beijing. It is steep, partly wild, and uniquely open after dark — but you cannot simply turn up. Entry is bundled with Gubei Water Town and capped by a nightly quota, so a booking is essential. This guide explains the Gubei Water Town reservation, the 980 bus and Miyun transfer, the cable car, and how the night tour works.
Quick Facts
- Opening hours
- Day 09:00–17:00 · Night 18:00–22:00 (seasonal)
- Last entry
- 16:00 (day) · 21:00 (night)
- Closed
- Open daily, subject to quota
- Suggested time
- Half day; evening for the night tour
- Ticket price
- Included with Gubei Water Town entry (around CNY 140)
- Best season
- Summer–autumn for the lit night wall
- Booking
- Required — Gubei Water Town reservation, passport ID
- Nearest metro
- No metro at site — Line 15 to Wangjing West, then the 980 bus to Miyun
How to Book Simatai (via Gubei Water Town)
Simatai cannot be booked on its own. You must reserve Gubei Water Town, which includes Wall access, through its official WeChat mini-program, and night slots are released in a strict daily quota that sells out fast.
- Book Gubei Water Town on its official WeChat mini-program (search 古北水镇); Simatai entry is included, not separate.
- Enter your passport number for real-name ticketing; one passport equals one combined town-and-Wall ticket.
- Choose a day or night slot. Night tours have a hard quota, so book the moment they release.
- From Miyun take the shuttle or a taxi to the Gubei Water Town entrance, then the Wall cable car or a steep hike.
Getting There
By metro
Take Metro Line 15 to Wangjing West, then the 980 Express bus to Miyun. From Miyun take the Gubei-bound shuttle or a taxi (about 50 minutes) to the Gubei Water Town entrance, then the Wall cable car.
By taxi
Show the driver 古北水镇 (Gubei Water Town) or 司马台长城 (Simatai Great Wall). The Wall is inside the town resort.
Entrances
Enter through Gubei Water Town, then ride the cable car or climb to the Simatai ridge. The night route is one-way and lit; descend by the same cable car.
What to See Inside
The steep Heavenly Ladder
The eastern ridge climbs a near-vertical stretch nicknamed the Heavenly Ladder, with original Ming steps and a sheer drop. Railings help, but it is not for the unfit.
Tower 16 and the reservoir view
From the higher towers the Wangjing Tower overlooks the Miyun Reservoir and, on clear nights, the distant city glow. It is the classic Simatai photo stop.
The Gubei Water Town base
Below the Wall, the recreated water town offers hot springs, food streets and boat rides — a rare chance to pair a Wall climb with an evening stroll.
Photo Gallery
The Steepest Ming Wall
Simatai was built in the early Ming dynasty under General Qi Jiguang in the 1570s, guarding the northern approach near the Miyun Reservoir. Its name means Sima terrace, after a local hill, and its ridge was engineered to be defensively near-impregnable.
The section was abandoned after the Ming collapse and left largely unrestored, which preserved its wild character. Unlike Badaling or Mutianyu, Simatai stayed closed to casual visitors for decades because of its dangerous, unrailed drops.
Today Simatai is unique as the only Great Wall section authorised for night opening, with about 5 kilometres of wall and the steepest climb near Beijing. Access is managed through Gubei Water Town, and a capped nightly quota keeps the lit ridge uncrowded.
Suggested Route
- 1. Wangjing West to Gubei Take Line 15 to Wangjing West, the 980 Express to Miyun, then the Gubei shuttle or a taxi to the water-town entrance.
- 2. Gubei Water Town gate Show your passport booking at the town gate; Simatai Wall access is included in your combined ticket.
- 3. Cable car to the ridge Ride the cable car up to the lower towers, or climb on foot if you want the workout and the views.
- 4. Walk the lit or day ridge Follow the ridge to the Heavenly Ladder and Tower 16; on the night tour stay on the one-way lit path.
- 5. Descend and stroll the town Return by cable car, then enjoy the water town's food street or hot springs before your Miyun transfer back.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not arrive without a Gubei Water Town booking — there is no standalone Simatai ticket.
- Book the night slot days early; the quota is small and sells out fast.
- Skip the steep Heavenly Ladder if unfit — it is unrailed and near-vertical.
- Bring your physical passport; it is scanned at the town gate and the cable car.
- Mind the one-way night route; once you descend you cannot re-climb.
Combine It With
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to book Simatai in advance?
Yes, and not through a Simatai site. You must reserve Gubei Water Town, which includes Wall access, on its official WeChat mini-program. Night slots are strictly quota-capped and sell out days ahead, so book as early as possible.
How much does Simatai cost?
There is no separate ticket; entry is bundled with Gubei Water Town at around CNY 140. Confirm the current combined price on the official account, as packages and night surcharges change by season.
How long does Simatai take?
Allow a full day if you add the water town, or a half day for the Wall alone. The 980 bus and Miyun transfer add about 2.5 hours each way, so start early.
When is the best time to visit Simatai?
Summer and early autumn are best for the lit night tour, when the weather is warm and the reservoir reflects the lanterns. Avoid winter, when the ridge is icy and night opening may pause.
Is Simatai worth it compared with Badaling?
If you want the iconic, easy postcard, choose Badaling. Simatai rewards the extra effort with a steep wild ridge and a unique night walk — but only if you secure the Gubei booking first.