A7: Gubeikou to West Simatai via Jinshanling

A7 is the shared format of the longer Gubeikou–Jinshanling–West Simatai day hike. The reference itinerary describes approximately 16 km and around seven hours of walking; this is a demanding day for hikers accustomed to sustained climbs and uneven descents.

The outing combines sections of weathered masonry, connecting trails and Jinshanling’s tower-lined ridges. The eastern endpoint and access to the area described as West Simatai are confirmed for your date; they should not be confused with automatic entry to the separately managed Simatai attraction.

Allow for the full road journey as well as the hike. Ask for the actual group departure, meeting point, guide, meals, distance and return arrangements. A shorter Jinshanling walk may be a better choice if seven hours on foot is more than your party wants.

 From 6 a.m., you will be collected from your hotel. Or, please go to our meeting point at Chaoyangmen Station Entry/Exit A of Subway Line 2 or 6 to meet the group and guide if your hotel is outside our free-pickup zone of the 2nd Ring Road. Please see this direction web page for instructions.

From Chaoyangmen Station, we will take a ride of 2.5 hours to Gubeikou Water Town. Our hiking guide will meet you at the Water Town bus terminal and transfer you to Gubeikou Great Wall to begin your walk.
 

Gubeikou’s unrestored Great Wall follows steep mountain ridges above a strategically important historic town. More than 140 watchtowers vary in size and design, giving the walking route a distinctive architectural character.

In 1933, the Chinese military dealt with versus Japanese intrusion soldiers in Gubeikou. In the four-month-long fights, over 5,000 Japanese soldiers were killed while 9,000 Chinese soldiers died. It was impressive that the old wall is not just a relic, yet it stayed a field of battle in the modern war.
 

Today’s Jinshanling walk includes relatively straightforward sections and a variety of watchtower designs. Look for both single-level and two-level towers as you follow the ridge.

Slowly, you will go across over right into West Simatai. The Simatai area of the Great Wall is one of a couple of areas to maintain the initial look of the Great Wall.
 

After 7-8 hours of walking, you will descend the Great Wall, and take the return bus at Gubeikou Water Town. You will arrive at the Dongzhimen Bus Terminal in Beijing.  

Chaoyangmen Subway Station of Line 2 or 6. Group level of Exit A

7:30 a.m.

This tour does NOT have a deadline of registration. If you sign up at the midnight, you are fine. Simply show up by 7:20 at Chaoyangmen Station and claim your booking with Great Wall Adventure Club to your guide James. James will report to our office about your participation. 

 Extend your Great Wall experience to a private camping in a watchtower on the Great Wall . Please go to  2GC1 dedicated page to learn more and registration.