Simatai Great Wall

The Simatai section of the Great Wall is 100 km from Beijing.  Its history dates back to the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) and was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).  The 19km section comprising Simatai and Jinshanling covers some of the steepest and most dangerous sections of the Great Wall.  Due to the steepness, this part of the Great Wall was consturcted using goats, with goats transporting one brick at a time.

The Wangjinglou Watchtower on a steep cliff 986 metres above sea level is the summit of the Simatai Great Wall and also the most dangerous place to reach, because the visitor must walk unrepaired footpaths, with some sectione as narrow as 40cm. The "scaling ladder" is a slope at an angle of 60-70 degrees: the visitor must climb on all fours and be extremely careful. The "overline bridge" is a path about 100metres long and less than one metre wide which crosses abysses about 500 metres deep.

Overall, Simatai is one of the most difficult sections of wall to hike upon, but on of the most rewarding.

Tours Including Simatai Great Wall:
Simatai Great Wall One Day Hiking Tour
Simatai-Jinshanling-Gubeikou Great Wall 2-Day Hiking Tour
Jinshanling-Simatai Great Wall One Day Hiking Tour
Beijing Bus Tour to Simatai Great Wall & Jinshanling Great Wall
Five Day Great Wall Tour to Shanhaiguan, Laolongtou, Jiaoshan, Jiumenkou, Xiaoheikou, Huangyag

For photos of Simatai, click here!