The Great Wall Simatai — Attraction in Chengde

No visit to China would be complete without seeing the Great Wall, and since there were quite a few sections that one could see, I asked my Chinese friends and some hotel workers in Beijing which section they recommended. Simatai was mentioned more than any other section by a wide margin (only the neighboring Jinshanling was even close), so that's what I went with on my first visit to the Great Wall. Glad I did, it was better than advertised.

The only other section I went during my time living in China was Mutianyu, which was also great and much easier to get to, but Simatai was my favorite for sure. Simatai represented the perfect compromise as far as I'm concerned. It is partially restored, which means that unlike Badaling or Mutianyu it retains some evidence of the ravages of time that add to its authenticity and the "wow factor" of knowing you're standing on top of a nearly 700 year-old structure that was made by hand on top of a mountain range. On the other hand, the fact that it is partially restored means that unlike Jiankou, Gubeikou, or Huanghuacheng, here you have less to worry about when it comes to loose rocks, slippery overgrowth, and the possible creatures underfoot, in addition to the more developed infrastructure and amenities nearby. Combine the two together and you have a section of the wall that feels like you're on another planet, isolated from the rest of civilization (aside from the other tourists of course) as you walk on a wall that looks like it has weathered 700 years of nature, while still having a feeling of safety. The scenery here is stunning, the contrast between the wall and the mountains is stark and awe-inspiring, and the history of course goes without mentioning.

In addition, it is far enough away from Beijing where the crowds are considerably less than what you would find at Badaling or Mutianyu, but close enough where a hired driver (or combination of bus and private taxi if you're on a budget like we were) can get you there without issues. Yes it is steep and more dangerous than the fully restored sections, but having been to both types, I would absolutely recommend Simatai if you only have time for...

This section of the Great Wall is set about a large mountain range stretching as far as you can see. Access is either via Cable Car from Gubei Water Town or you can walk to the top if you are up for the climb.

The wall itself is impressive on my levels, from the stunning views of the surrounding area, to the astonishing feat of engineering that took place to build a wall all the way up here.

For those looking to visit, sensible footwear and good leg strength are needed. Even from the Cable Car there is a steep walk to the wall itself. Once on the wall it angles up and down following the land making some places a little tricky to navigate and slightly...

I took the cable car from Gubei Water Town. Please take note that the cable car can be suspended due to strong winds. After I went up, I had to walk all the way down back to the town because the cable car stopped running. This also meant that many people who bought the cable car tickets after me could not board and had to seek refund.

Little tourists and very beautiful sceneries

**Descend from the Great Wall all the way back to the town is NOT EASY. Especially at some segments it is steep + STRONG WINDS. As the walls are only about 10% restored, be prepared that the steeper segments do not have any barriers / hand rails for...