Simatai Great Wall Night Tour: Private Layover Access

Night-lit wall, cable car ascent, and six hours between flights

A private night tour of Simatai Great Wall departing from Beijing Airport and returning there, designed for layover travelers with 6 to 24 hours in the city. The tour includes round-trip cable car access, entrance fees, bottled water, and airport pickup and dropoff with a private driver. An English-speaking guide is available as an add-on option. Simatai is the only Great Wall section that opens for illuminated evening viewing, and the cable car means visitors of any fitness level can reach the wall without strenuous climbing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Simatai Great Wall night tour

• Arrive at Beijing airport
• Complete inspection and quarantine
• Claim baggage if needed
• Pass customs inspection
• Meet private driver at airport exit
• Travel to Simatai Great Wall
• Take round trip cable car
• Explore Simatai Great Wall at night
• Return to Beijing airport with driver

The experience

Simatai Great Wall stands apart from other developed sections like Badaling and Mutianyu because renovations here have focused only on essential reinforcement, leaving its original appearance intact. The section was ranked first in the Times newspaper's list of the World's Top 25 Scenic Spots in 2012. What makes this tour distinct is the night illumination: Simatai is the only Great Wall section that opens for lit evening viewing, offering a different experience than daytime visits to other restored areas.

The tour runs six hours total, starting from the moment your international flight lands at Beijing Airport. After you clear inspection, quarantine procedures (which China offers visa-free for 24 to 144 hours depending on your nationality), baggage claim, and customs, your private driver meets you at the airport exit. The drive to Simatai takes about 1.5 hours. Once there, you take a round-trip cable car to access the wall, which means seniors, children, and anyone who prefers not to climb can still reach the illuminated sections. Bottled water is provided throughout. At the end of the tour, your driver returns you to Beijing Airport for your onward flight.

You can book this tour with or without a guide. If you choose a guide, English, Spanish, Italian, French or Mandarin speakers are available. The private vehicle and driver are included either way, along with all entrance tickets and cable car fees. Children under 3 travel free. Specialized infant seats are available if you're traveling with very young children. The tour operates in all weather, so bring appropriate clothing for evening temperatures and any rain.

What’s included

• Round-trip cable car access to the wall.
• entrance tickets to Simatai Great Wall.
• private vehicle and driver for airport pickup and dropoff.
• bottled water.
• English, Spanish, Italian, French or Mandarin-speaking guide if selected at checkout.

Options for this experience

4 options

Peak season: all-inclusive, without a guideGuide in 5 languages · 7 departure times: the first at 14:30, the last at 16:30Covers entrance tickets, round-trip cable car tickets, and private airport pickup and drop-off transfers, without a guide. Pickup is included.

PEK: All Inclusive & English Guide7 departure times: the first at 14:30, the last at 16:30PEK: All Inclusive with English guide, including the English guide, entrance ticket, round-trip cable car tickets, and private transfer service for pickup and drop-off. Pickup is included.

Peak season: all-inclusive, with another guideGuide in 5 languages · 7 departure times: the first at 14:30, the last at 16:30Includes a Spanish, Italian, German or French guide, entrance tickets, two-way cable car, and private transfers for pickup and drop-off. Pickup is included.

Peak season: all-inclusive, without a guideGuide in 5 languages · 6 departure times: the first at 14:30, the last at 16:00Covers entrance tickets, round-trip cable car tickets, and private airport pickup and drop-off transfers, without a guide. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you check availability.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 14:30, the last at 16:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (8 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 7 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Catherine Lu Tours

Is this one for you?Choose a guide if you want historical context and curated stops. Go unguided if you prefer to set your own pace and explore freely.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 7 years); Infant (under 4): free.

Can I do this tour if I only have a few hours between flights?

Yes. The tour is designed for layover travelers. It takes about 1.5 hours from when your flight lands to meet your driver, then six hours for the full experience on the wall and return to the airport. If your connection is tight, confirm your flight times when booking so the operator can confirm the timing works.

What makes Simatai different from other Great Wall sections near Beijing?

Simatai is the only Great Wall section that opens for illuminated night viewing. Other popular sections like Badaling and Mutianyu are visited during the day. Simatai has also been restored with minimal intervention, so it retains its original historic appearance rather than extensive reconstruction.

Do I have to climb to see the wall, or is there another way up?

A round-trip cable car is included, so you can ride up and down instead of climbing. This makes the tour accessible for seniors, young children, and anyone who prefers not to hike the steep sections.

Is a tour guide included, or do I explore on my own?

The guide is optional. You can book the tour with a private driver only, or add an English, Spanish, Italian, French or Mandarin-speaking guide. Either way, your private driver handles all transport to and from the airport.

What happens if my flight is delayed and I miss the pickup time?

Contact the operator as soon as you know your actual landing time. Since the tour is timed around your flight arrival, they can adjust the schedule or rebook you if needed. Confirm your flight details when you book.