Simatai Great Wall

Hiking lovers take the rugged hiking route of Jinshanling-Simatai Great Wall, about 10 km, which usually takes about 4 hours. Some say that the hike between Jinshanling and Simatai gives you a truly "authentic" Great Wall experience. Jinshanling Great Wall The Jinshanling Great Wall features complicated and well preserved fortification systems and possesses the largest number of watchtowers. The watchtowers are taller and retain the original Ming Dynasty appearance, each one built in a different architectural style. The walls were more solidly than Simatai. Here you can see the wall relatively undisturbed and in its original condition, so it has a special beauty. Jinshanling Great Wall is quite steep and stony, trekking it can be a real challenge. Hike the wall here, and you will see the complicated watchtowers and neat turrets which show how the wall would have looked in its heyday. Simatai Great Wall The Simatai Great Wall is often described with the following three words: perilous, diverse, and peculiar. The Simatai Great Wall is also called "Wild Great Wall", meaning a section that has not been restored. Much of the section is in a state of ruin with exposed bricks and incomplete structures and the walls that go along precipitous jagged ridges have mostly fallen down. As the Simatai Great Wall is not easily accessible and the long trek is strenuous, there are only a few people visiting. Although you may encounter some other tourists and a handful of vendors, you will still be able to explore the Great Wall in relative privacy. Crumbling staircases and ruined watchtowers are along the way. The trail in some parts is broken down and overgrown. The steps are very uneven, some very steep and some very shallow. Parts of the bricks are loose and you have to watch your footing. Cable car is also available at Simatai Great Wall. So don't worry about being trapped on the Great Wall.

Great Wall At	Location & distance from the city center	Journey time	Condition	Travel time	Difficulty	Cable car	Toboggan
Juyongguan	50 km, northwest of Beijing city	1.5 hours	Well - preserved	2.5 hours	Moderate climbing	No	Available
Badaling	72 km, northwest of Beijing city	2 hours	Best - preserved	2.5-3 hours	Moderate climbing	Available	Available
Mutianyu	70 km, north of Beijing city	3 hours	Intact	2-3 hours	Moderate hiking	Available	Available
Simatai	120 km, north of Beijing city	3.5 hours	Ruined	4 hours	Strenuous hiking	Available	Available
Jinshanling	130 km, north of Beijing city	3.5 hours	Original Ming Dynasty appearance	4 hours	Strenuous hiking	Available	Available
Huanghuacheng	65 km, north of Beijing city	3 hours	Intact	2 hours	Moderate hiking	No	No