Beijing Great Wall Hike: Jinshanling & Simatai West Small Group

Summary

Great Wall hiking with homemade food and quiet mountain air

You’ll hike along both wild and restored sections of the Great Wall from Jinshanling to Simatai West with a local guide who knows every twist in the stones. Expect simple homemade lunch in a village after meeting local farmers along the way. The quiet air and uneven steps will stick with you long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Li handed me a chunk of steamed corn bread as we squinted up at the first stone steps near Simatai West. “Eat now, or you’ll regret it later,” she said, grinning. I’d barely finished my coffee in Beijing that morning—still foggy from the early pickup—so I took her advice. The bread was warm and a little sweet, and honestly, it stuck to my teeth in a way that made us both laugh. There was this faint smell of pine mixed with dust as we started climbing, and the only sound for a while was our shoes crunching over loose gravel. The wall stretched out ahead, sometimes crumbling and wild, sometimes patched up like an old quilt.

I kept stopping to catch my breath (and pretend I was taking photos), but Li never rushed us. She pointed out where the unrestored stones met the restored ones—said you could tell by the moss and the way your hand slid over them. At one of the watchtowers, an old farmer waved from below; he’d brought apples to sell in his basket, their skins dusty red. We bought two just because he smiled so wide when we tried our Mandarin (I definitely butchered “ping guo”). This part of the Great Wall hike between Jinshanling and Simatai West felt quieter than I expected; even with our small group, there were long stretches where it was just wind and distant bird calls.

Lunch came after we finally clambered down at Shalingkou—my legs were jelly by then. The food was simple but perfect: stir-fried greens, tofu with chili oil, something with peanuts that I still think about when I’m hungry late at night. Everyone talked less during lunch; maybe tiredness or maybe just soaking it all in. On the drive back to Beijing I watched mountains fade behind us through a smudged window and thought how different this stretch of wall felt compared to what I’d imagined—more real somehow, more stubborn against time.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hike Great Wall from Simatai West to Jinshanling

• Arrive at Kylin Tower, Simatai West
• Hike westward on Great Wall
• Explore restored and unrestored sections
• Visit watch and beacon towers
• Meet local farmers and try home food
• Option to extend hike 30 minutes
• Exit wall at Shalingkou or Zhuanduokou

Top questions

How long is the hike from Jinshanling to Simatai West?

The main hiking route takes about 3 hours from Simatai West’s Kylin Tower to Jinshanling’s Shalingkou exit.

Is lunch included on this Great Wall hiking tour?

Yes, a homemade lunch is included after finishing your hike at Jinshanling.

What fitness level is needed for this day trip?

You’ll need moderate fitness—there are steep steps and uneven surfaces along both restored and unrestored sections.

Are there toilets available during the hike?

No toilets on the wall itself; facilities are only at entrances (Simatai West & Jinshanling). Bring toilet paper just in case.

Can children join this small-group Great Wall hike?

Children must be accompanied by adults; kids under 5 aren’t allowed for safety reasons.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

The tour includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver from Beijing.

Will we meet locals during this Great Wall day trip?

You may meet local farmers selling fruit or working near the wall during your hike.

Are trekking poles provided on this tour?

Trekking poles are available in the van if you ask your guide before starting out.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Beijing by air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver, all entry tickets for Jinshanling access, unlimited bottled water during your hike (just grab some for your daypack), personal English-speaking hiking guide throughout, use of trekking poles if needed, and a homemade village lunch before heading back into town together.