The Great Wall Near Beijing
Simatai Great Wall: Night Tours, Wild Sections & Visitor Guide (2026)
The Simatai Great Wall is one of the few Great Wall sections officially open for night-time visits — and that 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 and the chance to walk the illuminated Wall after dark. The full section runs 5.4 km over knife-edge ridges, with 35 watchtowers and some of the most dangerous-looking Wall in China; by day, visitors can walk East Towers 2 to 10.
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
- about 120 km northeast; journey time depends on traffic.
- Entry ticket
- ¥40 day; night package ¥160 with the return cable car (Gubei Water Town admission extra).
- Cable car
- Wall day ticket with return cable car ¥180 (¥110 one way), up to the east section.
- Wall length
- 5.4 km with 35 watchtowers in total; East Towers 2–10 are open to day visitors.
- Distinctive features
- authorised night visits; adjacent to Gubei Water Town; dramatic ridgeline.
- Operating hours
- Day 9am–5pm (last entry 3pm, clearing from 4:30pm); Night May–October entry 6pm–9:30pm, with winter arrangements published separately.
- Best for
- night photography, repeat visitors, Gubei Water Town overnight stays.
Is Simatai worth the trip from Beijing?
Honest answer: it depends entirely on what you plan to do there. The journey out is a significant commitment, and if you’re doing a pure day visit with no night tour, you’ll probably leave feeling slightly underwhelmed. Jinshanling’s open hiking stretches give you far more Wall to walk if the night tour isn’t your goal.
But if you’re doing the night tour — or better yet, staying overnight at Gubei Water Town — Simatai is worth every minute of that journey. There is nothing else like it. Warm lights illuminate ancient stones against the dark mountain silhouette. The Gubei Water Town lanterns glow below. The ridgeline fades into mist and darkness. It’s the Wall transformed into something genuinely atmospheric rather than a daytime tourist attraction.
The rule is simple. Night tour or overnight stay: go to Simatai. Day visit only: choose Mutianyu’s cable-car section or Jinshanling, where there is much more Wall to walk.
The Simatai night tour — why it’s unique
From May to October, night entry to Simatai’s lit east section runs from 6pm to 9:30pm; check the schedule for your date outside those months. Visitors can walk the Wall under string lights, climb watchtowers as the sun sets, and experience the Wall in moonlight. Badaling and Juyongguan have run official seasonal night tours of their own, but Simatai has a canal town at its foot, and it is a very different thing from the illuminated-landmark tours back in the city.
What to expect on the night tour
- Entry timing: May–October, entry runs until 9:30pm, but aim to be in before 8pm.
- Night cable car check-in runs 6pm–9:30pm from May to October; from November to April it ends around 8pm Sunday–Thursday and 8:30pm at weekends.
- 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. The limit applies to the night tour; by day the open stretch runs from East Tower 2 to East Tower 10.
- 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 Great Wall difficulty and what to expect
People underestimate Simatai because the cable car takes some of the effort away. Don’t. The east section is steep — genuinely steep — with stone steps at gradients that will have your thighs burning on the descent. Handrails are present on the main section and they’re useful, not just decorative.
The famous Heaven Stairs are a different matter entirely. Climbing at about 80 degrees to the Fairy Tower (Tower 15), they lie beyond the open section, which by day stops at East Tower 10, so there is no climbing them. Stay on the main cable-car section. The views from there are dramatic enough — you don’t need to prove anything on the Heaven Stairs.
The western section is closed for safety reasons and has been for years. Don’t try it.
Even on the “easy” cable-car approach, you’ll encounter steep stone stairs between watchtowers. The night tour specifically means descending those stairs in the dark. Bring a headlamp, wear shoes with grip, and don’t rush. This isn’t Badaling.
Simatai tickets and pricing 2026
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Day entry | ¥40 |
| Night entry | ¥160 night package (return cable car included; Gubei Water Town entry extra) |
| Day entry with return cable car | ¥180 (¥110 one way) |
| Gubei Water Town entry | ¥150 |
| Combo (Simatai + Gubei Water Town) | ¥170 (¥220 with one-way cable car, ¥280 with return) |
Important ticket rule: Simatai night tour tickets are not sold separately. The night package costs ¥160 with the round-trip cable car included, and Gubei Water Town entry is paid on top. By day, town entry plus the Wall costs ¥170, rising to ¥220 with a one-way cable car or ¥280 with the return. Hotel guests staying inside Gubei Water Town save on the town ticket: boutique-hotel guests get in free, and guests at the other hotels and guesthouses pay ¥80. 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
Getting to Simatai takes planning. It’s further than most Wall sections — budget your travel time accordingly. Full transport options are covered in our rundown of the journey out from the city.
Option 1: Tourist bus from Beijing
Tourist buses link central Beijing with Gubei Water Town, but departure points, times and fares change, so check the getting-there details on Gubei Water Town’s official site before you set off. Tickets at the bus station or via Trip.com.
Option 2: Group tour
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
Suits a small group, though capacity depends on the vehicle you book. 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. The town has boutique hotels as well as simpler hotels and guesthouses, so compare rates for your dates.
Best route on Simatai
East section (recommended for night tour)
- Take cable car up to the east section
- Walk west toward East Watchtower 2, the end of the open section
- Stop at Watchtower 5 (best photo angle)
- Return via cable car or descend by walking
- Timing: depends on your pace and the cable-car queues
The whole open stretch (East Towers 2–10)
- Cable car up to the east section
- Walk east to East 10, where the open section ends (the famous “Heaven Stairs” beyond are closed)
- Turn back west, passing East 8, as far as East 2
- Cable car down
- Good fitness needed: the steps between towers are steep
What to eat at Simatai and Gubei Water Town
On the wall itself, options are thin. Basic food is sold near the cable car base. It does the job but nothing more. Don’t plan your lunch around it.
Gubei Water Town is a completely different story and well worth saving your appetite for. Its sit-down restaurants are the place for a proper meal of traditional Chinese food. The canal-side cafes are good for lighter bites and coffee with water views. And the lamb skewer vendors scattered through the town are excellent, as good as anything on the city’s street-food circuit, best eaten while walking the lantern-lit alleys.
The recommendation is straightforward: grab a quick snack at the Wall base, do your hiking, then come down and eat properly in Gubei Water Town. The food scene there is far better than anything at the Wall.
Simatai vs Jinshanling — which should you choose?
This is the most common choice people face when planning a Wall trip beyond Mutianyu and Badaling. Here’s how it actually breaks down.
Choose Simatai if: the night tour is the point of your visit, you’re pairing with a Gubei Water Town overnight, you want dramatic knife-edge ridge scenery, or you’re happy with a shorter but more intense hiking section.
Choose Jinshanling if: maximum hiking distance is your priority, you want multiple hours of uninterrupted wall walking, photography in natural light is the goal, or you’re combining with a Gubeikou visit. Don’t pick it to save time on the road, though: Jinshanling sits about 130 km from central Beijing, slightly further than Simatai at about 120 km.
The walkable section at Simatai is genuinely limited — the illuminated night section is just one segment between East 5 and 6. For pure hiking satisfaction, Jinshanling wins. For the unique atmosphere of the night tour paired with Gubei Water Town, nothing comes close to Simatai. If you have time for both on a longer Beijing trip, they complement each other well — both are on the same general northeastern route. Also consider Gubeikou if you want a wilder, less commercial option in the same area.
Best time to visit Simatai
Night entry runs from May to October, with shorter winter arrangements published separately. 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.
Money-saving tips for Simatai
Simatai is one of the more expensive Wall sections once you factor in the full package. These are the legitimate ways to reduce the cost.
The biggest saving: stay inside Gubei Water Town. Boutique-hotel guests get free Gubei Water Town entry and guests at the town’s other hotels and guesthouses pay ¥80, which leaves only the Wall to pay for: ¥40 for the day ticket, or ¥180 with the return cable car (¥110 one way). That’s before you account for not needing a separate taxi from outside. It doesn’t turn the overnight stay cheap, but it takes the sting out of it.
Book early, and check availability for your date as soon as your plans firm up. Autumn weekends and the October holiday week are the busiest times, so book earliest for those.
Time your visit strategically. Weekdays in May and June, or mid-October (avoiding the first week national holiday), combine the lowest ticket prices with shortest queues and the best conditions for photography. These off-peak windows deliver a genuinely better experience, not just a cheaper one.
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. For planning this alongside other trips out of the capital, it fits neatly into a two-day circuit.
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.
Accessibility at Simatai
The cable car itself is wheelchair-accessible, and staff are generally helpful with mobility-impaired visitors. The platform area at the top gives reasonable views without requiring any wall walking. For visitors with limited mobility who still want to say they’ve been on the Great Wall, Simatai’s cable car solution works.
The wall itself is not accessible. Steep stone stairs between watchtowers make movement beyond the cable car landing difficult for anyone with limited knee or hip mobility. This is true for both the day and night tours — perhaps especially the night tour, where descending steep stairs in low light adds another layer of difficulty. Be realistic about physical requirements before committing to Simatai’s wall sections. Mutianyu has a toboggan descent and better infrastructure for limited-mobility visitors.
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’s lit ridgeline above the water town is its signature image, though Badaling and Juyongguan have run seasonal night tours too. The shot is taken from below, in the water town, during the blue hour after sunset. Our guide to photographing the Great Wall through the day and the seasons sets out that window alongside the sunrise sections, and explains the current drone rules before you pack one.
Simatai Great Wall FAQ
Can you visit the Simatai Great Wall at night?
Yes, officially. Night entry to the lit east section runs from May to October, 6pm to 9:30pm; Badaling and Juyongguan also run seasonal night tours, but only Simatai has a canal town at its foot. Check the schedule for your date outside those months.
How does Simatai compare to Mutianyu?
Simatai is more dramatic and steeper but much further from Beijing, about 120 km out. The night tour is its big draw. 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 makes a long, full day, with much of it spent on the road. The day tour misses the night experience. For best value, plan an overnight at Gubei Water Town.
Can you climb the Heaven Stairs at Simatai?
No. The Heaven Stairs rise at about 80 degrees to the Fairy Tower (Tower 15), well beyond the open stretch of East Towers 2–10, so admire them from the main section instead.
Are children allowed on Simatai night tours?
It depends on the child, so judge the steep night walk for each one. The operator advises against night visits for children under one metre tall, and child tickets are priced by height. 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.
How early should I book Simatai night tickets?
Check availability for your date on the ticket page as soon as your plans are fixed. For autumn weekends, when the foliage peaks, book as early as you can. You don’t want to make the long drive only to find tickets gone.
Can I combine Simatai with Jinshanling in one day?
Technically possible — you could drive from one to the other. But doing both Wall sections properly in a single day is genuinely exhausting and you’d shortchange both experiences. Far better to split them across two days. Check our notes on multi-day Wall treks for itinerary options that combine the northeastern sections sensibly.
What if it rains during the night tour?
Light rain: the tour runs. Bring waterproofs and expect wet stone stairs — take your time descending. Interestingly, the mood in a light drizzle can be genuinely atmospheric, with the lights reflecting on wet stone and mist moving through the valleys. Heavy rain or thunderstorm: the cable car closes and the tour may be cancelled. Check the forecast before you go and contact Gubei Water Town if severe weather is expected — they can advise on rescheduling.
The bottom line on Simatai Great Wall
Simatai’s draw is its authorised night tour, one of the few on the Great Wall, with the dramatic Heaven Stairs rising beyond the open section as a backdrop. 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’s ruined towers, and our Great Wall hiking guide. Nearby options include Gubeikou for a wilder alternative in the same area. For trip logistics, see our Beijing to Great Wall transport guide and day trips from Beijing.