Unlike the Badaling and Mutianyu sections of the Great Wall, Simatai section is more authentic. It has not been renovated or restored since it was built 500 years ago. Thus, it is the only section of the Great Wall that retains all the original features of the Ming Dynasty wall. Date on which they were made and the code numbers of the armies that made them can still be seen on the bricks of Simatai Great Wall. Simatai Great Wall locates 120 km northeast of Beijing, stretching 5.4 km on the steep sections of the YanShan Mountain, densely dotting with 35 watchtowers. It holds a strategic pass of the Great Wall: the access to GuBeiKou.

Diversification dramatically reflected in the structure of Simatai Great Wall: single, double and trapeze forms of wall, flat or domical shape of the tower roof, many unmatched places among other sections of Great Wall. Simatai Great Wall is separated into east and west parts by a valley.

The west part is relatively gentle while the east part with 15 watchtowers on the 1000 m high peaks is steep, rugged and precipitous. So remember to take Strong shoes. The most dangerous part in the east are 'Heavenly Ladder' and the 'Sky Bridge', they can make even the bravest guy tremble with fear. People who like taking risks and seeking for adventure will be undoubtedly crazy for Simatai Great Wall. Exhilarating scenery is a real feast to your eyes!

Because of the height of Simatai Great Wall, storms arise suddenly on hot summer days, so a portable rain jacket is necessary. The opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. Tourist Bus No. 12 from either the Xuan Wen Men or Dong Si Shi Tiao stops go to Simatai Great Wall, and you can also take bus from Beijing Bus Station in Dong Zhi Men to Miyun County, and then transfer to minibus for tourism to Simatai.