The Simatai Great Wall is the only Great Wall section in China officially open for night-time visits — and that single fact makes it one of the most distinctive Wall experiences available. Located 120 km northeast of Beijing adjacent to the historic Gubei Water Town, Simatai offers dramatic ridgeline wall, fewer crowds than Mutianyu or Badaling, and the unique opportunity to walk the illuminated Wall after dark. The 5.4 km of restored Wall climbs steeply over knife-edge ridges with 35 watchtowers and some of the most dangerous-looking Wall sections in China.
This guide covers everything for visiting Simatai Great Wall — the famous night tour, hiking the wild sections, tickets, transport, and combining Simatai with the spectacular Gubei Water Town for an overnight experience. Simatai is best for travellers wanting something different from typical Great Wall day trips — repeat visitors, photographers, and anyone with an extra day to explore beyond the Mutianyu/Badaling defaults.
Simatai Great Wall at a glance
- Distance from Beijing: 120 km northeast (2 hours by car).
- Entry ticket: ¥40 ($5.70) day; ¥40 night supplement.
- Cable car: ¥120 round trip — to East Watchtower 8.
- Wall length: 5.4 km open with 35 watchtowers.
- Distinctive features: only Wall officially open at night; adjacent to Gubei Water Town; dramatic ridgeline.
- Operating hours: Day 8am–5:30pm; Night April–November 5:30pm–10pm.
- Best for: night photography, repeat visitors, Gubei Water Town overnight stays.
The Simatai night tour — why it’s unique
From April through November, Simatai’s east section is illuminated by warm-toned lights from 5:30pm to 10pm. Visitors can walk the Wall under string lights, climb watchtowers as the sun sets, and experience the Wall in moonlight. It’s the only legal night-time Great Wall experience in China.
What to expect on the night tour
- Entry timing: 5:30–7pm last entry depending on sunset.
- Cable car operates until 9pm for night visitors.
- Illuminated section: ONLY between East Watchtowers 5 and 6 (a single watchtower-to-watchtower segment). Other towers are visible from the lit section but not walkable at night. This is a recent restriction — older guidebooks still list 1–8 as walkable, but as of 2026 only 5–6 is open.
- Atmosphere: dramatically different from day — quieter, romantic, photogenic.
- Best timing: arrive 6pm in summer, walk to East Watchtower 5 by sunset, photograph from there until 9pm.
Night photography tips
- Tripod essential
- Wide aperture (f/2.8 or wider) for low light
- ISO 400–1600 depending on conditions
- Long exposures (10–30 sec) for blue hour
- Bring spare camera batteries — cold drains them fast
- Dress warmly — temperatures drop sharply at altitude after dark
Simatai tickets and pricing 2026
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Day entry | ¥40 |
| Night entry | ¥80 (combined day + night supplement) |
| Cable car round trip (night tour) | ¥160 |
| Cable car round trip (day) | ¥120 |
| Gubei Water Town entry | ¥150 |
| Combo (Simatai + Gubei Water Town) | ¥190 |
Important ticket rule: Simatai night tour tickets are not sold separately. You must buy a package combining Gubei Water Town entry + Simatai entrance + round-trip cable car. Total package roughly ¥190–¥240. Hotel guests staying inside Gubei Water Town get a special price of ¥120 for the Wall + cable car (and free Gubei Water Town entry). Pre-book at least one day in advance via the Gubei Water Town WeChat official account or a third-party travel agency — night tours have visitor caps and sell out during peak season.
Transport from Beijing to Simatai
Option 1: Tourist bus from Beijing (¥48 each way)
Direct tourist bus from Dongzhimen to Gubei Water Town runs from Wukesong, Sanyuanqiao and Dongzhimen at multiple times daily. ¥48–¥80 each way; allow 2.5 hours. Tickets at the bus station or via Trip.com.
Option 2: Group tour (¥800–¥1,200)
Combined Simatai-Gubei Water Town tours include hotel pickup, both attractions, and return drop-off. Most include lunch and the night-time return.
Option 3: Private car/driver (¥1,200–¥1,800/day)
For 2–4 travellers. Allows day-and-night flexibility.
Option 4: Stay overnight at Gubei Water Town
The recommended approach for serious Simatai visitors. Day at Simatai, evening at Gubei Water Town with night-time wall return. ¥600–¥1,500/night for hotels in the town.
Best route on Simatai
East section (recommended for night tour)
- Take cable car up to East Watchtower 8
- Walk west toward East Watchtower 1
- Stop at Watchtower 5 (best photo angle)
- Return via cable car or descend by walking
- Total: 1.5–2 hours
Full east-to-west traverse (advanced)
- Cable car up to East 8
- Walk east to East 16 (steepest section, the famous “Heaven Stairs”)
- Return to East 8
- Cable car down
- Total: 4–5 hours, advanced fitness required
Best time to visit Simatai
The night tour is only available April–November. Best months for the experience:
- May to early June: warm enough for late evenings, manageable crowds.
- September to October: pleasant temperatures, autumn colors. Avoid Oct 1–7.
- Mid-October to early November: peak autumn foliage during night-tour season.
Avoid: heavy rain or fog days; the dramatic ridgeline views and night photography depend on visibility.
Combining Simatai with Gubei Water Town
Gubei Water Town is the perfect Simatai pairing — a recreated traditional canal town at the foot of the wall. Hotels, restaurants, shops, lantern-lit alleys, and a dedicated cable car connecting the town to Simatai make for a magical overnight experience.
Recommended itinerary:
- Afternoon: arrive at Gubei Water Town, lunch, explore the canals.
- Late afternoon: take cable car up to Simatai for sunset.
- Evening: stay on the wall through golden hour and into night photography.
- Night: return to town for dinner and lantern-lit walks.
- Next morning: optional sunrise visit to Simatai or Wall hike.
What to bring to Simatai
- Sturdy hiking shoes (trails are steep and uneven)
- Tripod (essential for night photography)
- Camera with low-light capability
- Headlamp or flashlight for darker watchtowers
- Warm layered clothing — even summer nights can be cool at altitude
- Water (1L+ per person)
- Snacks (limited food at base)
- Cash for vendor purchases
- Spare batteries
Simatai Great Wall FAQ
Is Simatai the only Wall open at night?
Yes — officially. Some other Wall sections allow sunset entry but only Simatai has nightly illumination from April–November.
How does Simatai compare to Mutianyu?
Simatai is more dramatic and steeper but much further from Beijing (2 hours vs. 75 min). The night tour is unique. Mutianyu is more convenient and family-friendly. Pick Simatai if night photography or a Gubei Water Town overnight matters; Mutianyu otherwise.
Can I do Simatai as a day trip from Beijing?
Yes but it’s tight — 4 hours of round trip travel + 3 hours on the wall = full day. The day tour misses the night experience. For best value, plan an overnight at Gubei Water Town.
Is the East 16 (Heaven Stairs) section safe?
It’s the steepest restored section of the Great Wall — gradient up to 85 degrees with handrails. Not for those with vertigo or weak knees. Closed during heavy rain or ice.
Are children allowed on Simatai night tours?
Yes, kids 6+ are usually fine with adult supervision. The combination of darkness and steep paths makes it less suitable for very young children.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, including tripods. Drones are not permitted.
Is Simatai accessible for wheelchair users?
The cable car landing is accessible. The wall itself has steep stairs that limit wheelchair movement beyond the immediate area.
The bottom line on Simatai Great Wall
Simatai delivers two unique experiences unavailable elsewhere: the only legal Great Wall night tour and the dramatic Heaven Stairs section. Best paired with an overnight at Gubei Water Town. Plan a 24-hour trip from Beijing with afternoon arrival, sunset wall walk, dinner in the canal town, and morning return.
For other Great Wall sections, see Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Jiankou, and Great Wall hiking. For Beijing trip planning, head to our complete Beijing travel guide.