Simatai information

[Bryan]

Wangjinglou
Chinese: 望京樓
Pinyin: Wàng jīng lóu
English: Tower for viewing the capital
GPS coordinates: 40°39'28.20"N 117°18'8.23"E

Tianqiao
天桥
Pinyin: Tiān qiáo
English: Sky bridge
GPS coordinates: 40°39'27.98"N 117°18'5.64"E

Xiannulou
Chinese: 仙女樓
Pinyin: Xiān nǚ lóu
English: Fairy tower
GPS coordinates: 40°39'28.18"N 117°18'3.65"E

Tianti
Chinese: 天梯
Pinyin: Tiān tī
English: Heavenly ladder
GPS coordinates: 40°39'27.63"N 117°18'2.28"E

Simatai
Chinese: 司马台
Pinyin: Sī mǎ tái
English: Sima terrace
GPS coordinates: 40°39'28"N 117°17'7"E

Telephone: 86-10-69031051, 86-10-69035025

[Bryan]

Today I added GPS coordinates for the Heavenly Ladder, Fairy Tower, Sky Bridge, and Tower for Viewing the Capital.

[FrancoLolan]

Hello Bryan and everyone,
I am planning on traveling to the Great Wall in the coming weeks. We are relatively experienced hikers. A friend and I will likely stay three days in Beijing, then head up to Jinshanling for the hike. I have read all the posts on this site and some others but still don't fully understand what the hike entails. Please tell me if anything I state underestimates difficulties, skips steps, etc. I plan on the following:

1。 Wake up at dawn, take the "Dongzhimen long-distance bus station" to Miyun 密云, change to a minibus to Gubeikou 故被扣, and get off at Bakeshiying 巴克什营. This drive should take about three hours.
2。 After that we would pay the 40rmb admission price and start hiking east toward Simatai. This hike is about 10 km and should take us 3 hours. After that, we'll reach the reservoir/bridge.
3。 We pay the 5rmb, cross over the bridge, and enter into the Eastern section of the Simatai wall. At some point we have to pay another 30rmb. We will have lunch looking over the reservoir.
4。 We continue hiking 3km up to Tower 14. This is the farthest one can legally go. This portion of the hike should take about two hours.
5。 Depending on weather conditions and the presence of guards, we continue going to the 15'th Tower. Here we stop because the Sky Bridge 天桥 will probably terrify us.
6。 We turn around, hike back to the reservoir area, find a bus back to Beijing (Number12 from Simatai to Xuan Wu Gate.) The return hike should take another two hours.
7。 Spend the night in Beijing or train directly to Qingdao.


I have several questions, sorry.
1) The eastern part of Simatai is basically a dead end, so we have to go up, then turn around and come back down, right?
2) Is hiking from Jinshanling to Simatai, up Simatai eastern side, and back down too much for one day? I'm estimating it will take 7-8 hours of hiking.
3) How long is the bus back from Simatai? Do you suggest some other way of getting to Jinshanling in the morning; will we arrive too late if we take the multiple buses?
4) I'm thinking each of us carries 3L of water, two sandwiches for lunch, and some energy/nutrition bars. Is this enough?
5) One of us doesn't have hiking shoes. Should we buy him actual shoes or will good sneakers (athletic shoes) be sufficient? If so do you recommend hiking shoes (low cut) or hiking boots (high cut)?
6) Lastly, are there any hotels in Simatai you recommend (maybe from your 2004 trip, costs more or less how much) so that if it gets too late we will stay there?


Thank you so much! I know these are tons of questions. I am just trying to plan this out safely and successfully. I am very excited.

Appreciatively,
Franco

[Bryan]

Hi Franco,

I added a few notes in your message below. When you return, please post your story and some photos! Have a good time and be careful!

Bryan

Hello Bryan,
Thank you for your extensive website. I am planning on traveling to
the Great Wall in the coming weeks. We are relatively experienced
hikers. A friend and I will likely stay three days in Beijing, then
head up to Jinshanling for the hike. I have read all the posts on this
site and some others but still don't fully understand what the hike
entails. Please tell me if anything I state underestimates
difficulties, skips steps, etc. I plan on the following:
1。 Wake up at dawn, take the "Dongzhimen long-distance bus station" to
Miyun 密云, change to a minibus to Gubeikou 故被扣, and get off at
Bakeshiying 巴克什营. This drive should take about three hours.

Take a taxi from Gubeikou to Jinshanling.

2。 After that we would pay the 40rmb admission price and start hiking
east toward Simatai. This hike is about 10 km and should take us 3
hours. After that, we'll reach the reservoir/bridge.

You will buy a Simatai ticket before you reach the reservoir from ticket sellers on the Wall.

3。 We pay the 5rmb, cross over the bridge, and enter into the Eastern
section of the Simatai wall. At some point we have to pay another
30rmb. We will have lunch looking over the reservoir.
4。 We continue hiking 3km up to Tower 14. This is the farthest one can
legally go. This portion of the hike should take about two hours.
5。 Depending on weather conditions and the presence of guards, we
continue going to the 15'th Tower. Here we stop because the Sky Bridge
天桥 will probably terrify us.

You will reach tower 16, the heavenly ladder, tower 17, then the sky bridge, if you can and you dare.

6。 We turn around, hike back to the reservoir area, find a bus back to
Beijing (Number12 from Simatai to Xuan Wu Gate.) The return hike
should take another two hours.
7。 Spend the night in Beijing or train directly to Qingdao.

I have several questions, sorry.
1) The eastern part of Simatai is basically a dead end, so we have to
go up, then turn around and come back down, right?

Right. You could go down on the cable car though. I think it connects around tower 8.

2) Is hiking from Jinshanling to Simatai, up Simatai eastern side, and
back down too much for one day? I'm estimating it will take 7-8 hours
of hiking.

Sounds reasonable since you're experienced hikers.

3) How long is the bus back from Simatai?

Simatai to Gubeikou about 30 minutes.

Do you suggest some other
way of getting to Jinshanling in the morning; will we arrive too late
if we take the multiple buses?

OK if you leave very early in the morning. You could take a taxi all the way for about 350 to 400 RMB. Much more convenient and quick.

4) I'm thinking each of us carries 3L of water, two sandwiches for
lunch, and some energy/nutrition bars. Is this enough?

Sure.

5) One of us doesn't have hiking shoes. Should we buy him actual shoes
or will good sneakers (athletic shoes) be sufficient? If so do you
recommend hiking shoes (low cut) or hiking boots (high cut)?

I use low cut light weight hiking shoes. But people do this hike in all types of shoes. Sneakers would be fine. Just watch your step.

6) Lastly, are there any hotels in Simatai you recommend (maybe from
your 2004 trip, costs more or less how much) so that if it gets too
late we will stay there?

There are a few different hotels at Simatai. But I don't think you will need to stay overnight unless you just want to.

Thank you so much! I know these are tons of questions. I am just
trying to plan this out safely and successfully. I am very excited.

Again I wish you have a great time. It's a wonderful place to hike. This is a good time to go too. Have fun and be safe.