Great Wall: Jiankou to Simatai — 2 Days

Unrestored wall sections and mountain villages, with a night in a farmer's guesthouse near Beijing

This two-day trip moves between three distinct sections of the Great Wall—each offering a different vantage on how the structure has weathered, been restored, or remained in original condition. Day one covers a 10-kilometer hike through Jiankou's unrestored stone work, followed by a visit to the rebuilt Mutianyu section, before settling into a farmer's guesthouse in the Gubeikou area for home-cooked meals and a rural perspective on wall-adjacent life. Day two begins early at Jinshanling for a 5-kilometer walk to Simatai, timed to arrive before the standard tourist flow, then returns to Beijing by midday. The itinerary works best for travelers with two to three days available and a tolerance for moderate walking on uneven surfaces.

Highlights

10-kilometer hike across Jiankou's original, unrestored Great Wall sections with stone stairs and natural ridge lines
Restored Mutianyu section, accessible via cable car or restored stairs, with views across the Yanqing District
Overnight stay at a local farmer's guesthouse with home-cooked meals and direct exposure to rural household rhythms
5-kilometer dawn hike from Jinshanling to Simatai, arriving before crowds and in optimal light for photography
Three distinct wall conditions: original unrestored sections at Jiankou, restored masonry at Mutianyu, and a local farmer's guesthouse in a rural setting

Day by day

1Jiankou's Original Wall to Mutianyu to GubeikouJiankou · Gubeikou · the wall · Mutianyu section

A private transfer from Beijing (approximately 2 hours) takes you north to Jiankou for a moderate 10-kilometer hike along original, unrestored sections of the Great Wall. Midday, a picnic lunch is provided on the wall. In the afternoon, you visit the restored Mutianyu section, then drive to Gubeikou for an overnight stay at a local farmer's guesthouse.

2Jinshanling to Simatai: Morning HikeJinshanling · Jinshanling to Simatai · Beijing

A 20-minute drive reaches Jinshanling. The 5-kilometer hike to Simatai begins early to avoid midday crowds. The route includes steep sections on restored wall sections. After lunch, you return to Beijing, where the trip concludes.

Where you go

Map: Great Wall: Jiankou to Simatai — 2 Days route — Numbers follow the itinerary order. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

1Jiankou
2Beijing