Video! Simatai Sky Bridge video

[Bryan]

This video shows a professional, experienced guide crossing the Sky Bridge and descending the Heavenly Ladder. We do not recommend or endorse taking risks, and you are responsible for your own safety when visiting the Great Wall!

[lsanderson]

That is a really cool video! I don't know if I would be brave enough to try that myself.

[sophie]

I just wanted to make sure that you can hike from Jinshanling to Simatai without having to cross over this sky bridge. It looks so dangerous.

[Bryan]

Originally Posted by sophie

I just wanted to make sure that you can hike from Jinshanling to Simatai without having to cross over this sky bridge. It looks so dangerous.

You won't need to cross the sky bridge to hike from Jinshanling to Simatai.

Hiking from west to east from Jinshanling, you will enter the Simatai area and you will reach a reservoir. You will need to cross a swinging bridge over this reservoir. You will then be at tower 1 and 2 of the eastern or ridge side of Simatai. You can just proceed to the Simatai parking lot from there (turn right), or you can climb up the ridge. The Great Wall will be closed just beyond tower 14; there will be a sign and guards there to stop you from proceeding.

Beyond that point is where the Sky Bridge is located. It's between towers 17 (Fairy Maid tower) and 18 (Watching Beijing tower). This section is closed because it's dangerous. You can see the location of these towers at the top left area of the map here. Note that this map doesn't show all of the towers between the Simatai reservoir and the Sky Bridge, and it's not to scale. But it does show that the Sky Bridge is beyond the hiking area from Jinshanling to Simatai.

Also, the equally dangerous Heavenly Ladder is between towers 16 and 17, and you won't have to climb it either.

[sophie]

Thanks for the information about the sky bridge. I am glad to know we would not have to do that. I guess that means, we can keep our plans, after all!

How dangerous is it in general to walk from Jinshanling to Simatai?

[Bryan]

I would not consider it unreasonably dangerous to hike from Jinshanling and Simatai. People do it every day. However, danger is relative. It's not your typical hike in the woods. I was surprised by how dangerous the Great Wall can be on my first visit. There are long, steep, crumbly sections of Great Wall that have not been rebuilt since the Ming Dynasty, and they can be slippery, especially when wet or icy. As long as you are not afraid of heights, and have some hiking experience, you should be fine. Be sure to wear appropriate shoes, be careful, pay attention, take your time, and know your limits.

[Kim]

Normally I use a lightweight trekking pole on the more challenging parts. It's very good to keep your balance and a good support when walking down a steep part of the wall. It gives an extra feeling of safety. Normally you can buy them at the entrance to the more famous parts of the wall, but the quality is probably better if you buy it at a outdoor/trekking shop.

[sophie]

Thanks to both of you for your suggestions. They will be helpful for us to keep safe but I feel confident that we will be safe. We are always careful and we look out for one another too.

[rweinstein]

The hike from Jinshanling to Simatai is awesome. There is one short section where it is like 100 steps up to a tower and is a little stepp, but totally doable. I strongly recommend this hike to anyone. I liked this better than Simatai.