A 10-km hike along the best-preserved and most photogenic section of the Great Wall, crossing crumbling watchtowers and rolling mountain ridges between Jinshanling and Simatai, northeast of Beijing.
6 mi / 10 km
1 day
April to May, September to November
Moderate
Walking pilgrimage
Iconic stops
Jinshanling main gate
The trailhead, with well-restored towers and a visitor centre.
East Five-Eye Tower
A large watchtower with five arched openings and panoramic ridge views.
General Tower
One of the best-preserved towers along the Jinshanling section.
Fairy Tower
A crumbling tower marking the transition to wilder, unrestored wall.
Simatai West
The dramatically steep section of wall descending to the reservoir at Gubei Water Town.
Stops on the map
Each numbered marker matches the list above, linked in walking order from 1 to 5. Hover or tap a marker to see the stop name, scroll to zoom, and download the map as an image.
Prefer turn-by-turn navigation? Open the full route in Google Maps with all 5 stops loaded as waypoints in walking order. It opens in a new browser tab.
On the trail & safety
This is a walking route along the wall itself. Some sections are steep and unrestored with crumbling stairs. Wear sturdy shoes and bring plenty of water. Simatai requires advance online reservation.
Best maps & planning
Plan your walk and check the latest conditions with these trusted maps and official resources.
Walking tips
- Start at Jinshanling and walk east toward Simatai for the best light in the afternoon.
- Book a Simatai night tour in advance for an unforgettable view of the illuminated wall after dark.
- Hire a car and driver from Beijing (2.5 hours). Public buses run but are slow and infrequent.
Distances, stages, and seasons are curated planning references and can change. Always confirm current stage details, border rules, and closures with the official sources linked above before you travel.