East section
Knife-edge ridges.
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A stretch of the Great Wall in Miyun District, some 120 km north-east of central Beijing, guarding the approach to the Gubeikou pass: first built in the 6th century and rebuilt under the Ming, it runs about 5.4 km with 35 watchtowers. A valley splits it in two: the western side climbs gently past well-kept towers, while the eastern side follows knife-edge ridges so steep that only its lower part is open to visitors. The wall is reached through Gubei Water Town, a resort built in the style of an old northern town with canals, inns and restaurants at its foot, and Simatai is one of the few sections where you can walk on the wall at night, when the towers are lit. The wall costs CNY 40, or 170 with the water town; the cable car is CNY 160 return, and the night visit with the cable car costs CNY 160 and must be booked ahead, per visitor guides. Allow a full day, or stay a night in the town.
Knife-edge ridges.
Lit towers.
Canals and inns.
Gubei Water Town, Miyun District, about 120 km north-east of central Beijing
Yes, evening visits with the cable car cost CNY 160 and must be booked at least a day ahead, as numbers are capped, per visitor guides.