Beijing's Top Sights - Beijing - page 358

» Tours Youth hostels used to run highly recommended early-morning trips by minibus
(excluding/including admission ¥180/260) to Jīnshānlǐng for the four-hour hike to Sīmǎtái
- at the time, this was the best way to visit Sīmǎtái. Buses usually left at around 6am or
7am. They would drop you at Jīnshānlǐng, then pick you up four hours later in Sīmǎtái.
The entire journey from Běijīng and back would take up to 12 hours. Downtown Back-
packers ( CLICK HERE ) was planning to restart the trip once Sīmǎtái reopens. Check with
staff there, or with other hostels, for details.
» Taxi Around ¥900 to ¥1000 return day trip from Běijīng.
Need to Know
» Location 135km from Běijīng
» Price Admission ¥40
» Hours 8am-5pm
Exploring the Wall
Follow the crowds to the wall (Sīmǎtái can be busy at times, but you'll soon leave the
crowds behind), where you have a choice: either head west for the hike (four hours one
way) to Jīnshānlǐng or walk east as far as you can. The hike to Jīnshānlǐng makes the long
journey out here worth it, but you will need to set off early in the morning (or stay the
night in Jīnshānlǐng). The Sīmǎtái section destined for Jīnshānlǐng consists of 18
watchtowers ranging north of the old vestiges of wall dating from the Northern Qi dyn-
asty. A few slopes have 70-degree inclines and you need both hands free, so bring a day
pack to hold your camera and other essentials, and take strong shoes with a good grip.
One narrow section of footpath has a 500m drop, so it's no place for acrophobics. There's
a cable car at both Sīmǎtái and Jīnshānlǐng, and a zip-line at Sīmǎtái too. Sīmǎtái has
some unusual historic features, such as 'obstacle-walls' (walls within walls used for de-
fending against enemies who had already scaled the Great Wall). Small cannons have
been discovered in this area, as well as evidence of rocket-type weapons, such as flying
knives and flying swords.
Eating
As with other remote sections of the Wall, many hikers bring a picnic, but there used to be
plenty of small restaurants and snack stalls near the entrance, and there are bound to be
even more once Sīmǎtái reopens.