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There are travel experiences you plan for, and then there are the ones that surprise you — quietly, deeply, and permanently. My Simatai Great Wall Night Trek was one of those. It began with a tranquil evening in Gubei Water Town (古北水镇), a serene resort nestled at the foot of the Great Wall, where history, luxury, and reflection coalesce. Located just 2.5 hours from Beijing, this little-known gem offered not just a place to stay, but a gateway to one of the most untouched and profound Great Wall experiences you can have: a night trek on Simatai.
Let’s talk about Gubei. Built at the foot of Simatai, this replica of a northern water town blends ancient architecture with modern comfort. Think boutique hotels with wooden balconies, lantern-lit alleys, hot springs, tea houses, and artisanal shops that make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Chinese period drama — minus the drama. While it may not be an authentic ancient town, its attention to design and atmosphere makes it the perfect base for cultural travellers looking for more than just a pit stop.
From Gubei, you have direct access to the Simatai section of the Wall. This is rare, considering most Great Wall experiences require a long detour or day trip. Here, you’re at the doorstep of something extraordinary — a piece of the Wall that hasn’t been sterilised for mass tourism.
We arrived at Gubei Water Town in the late afternoon, just in time for a relaxing dinner before the climb. The cobbled lanes, traditional courtyards, and canal bridges lent the village an ethereal charm — think Venice meets ancient China. As night approached, I prepared to ascend Simatai by cable car. My mother, ever the wise traveller, decided to stay behind at our restaurant to soak in the quiet energy of the place. Trekking the Wall at night isn’t for everyone — and that’s the beauty of it. It gives you space, not just to move, but to feel.
With the sun setting and the sky turning velvet, I boarded the cable car that would carry me partway up Simatai. As I rose above the tiled rooftops of Gubei, the Great Wall slowly emerged, snaking like a shadow across the jagged ridgelines. There were no crowds, no loudspeakers, just the hum of the lift and my breath catching in quiet anticipation.
At the top, oil lamps lit the path like fireflies, flickering orange against the stone. The effect was nothing short of cinematic. This wasn’t just sightseeing — this was something older, quieter, and far more introspective.
While many sections of the Great Wall have been restored to pristine tourist-ready form, Simatai is known for its authenticity. Built during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century, this stretch of the Wall has retained much of its original stonework. The stairs are uneven, the watchtowers partially crumbled, and the ridges steep — and that’s what makes it so powerful.
Simatai runs approximately 5.4 kilometres with 35 watchtowers, but the night trek only opens a designated portion for safety. What you get is still deeply evocative — a vertical climb through layers of empire, solitude, and symbolism. Unlike Badaling or Mutianyu, which cater to convenience and camera angles, Simatai offers something rare: vulnerability. The path isn’t manicured. The silence isn’t staged. The experience isn’t filtered. It’s just you and the Wall, both standing quietly in the dark.
Most people climb for the view. But here, at night, the view disappears — and something else emerges. The absence of distraction sharpens your senses. The crunch of gravel underfoot, the flicker of your own lantern, the pulse in your chest as you ascend — they become your reality. There are no sweeping vistas to photograph. No validation in likes or views. Instead, there’s a grounded sense of being. And in that groundedness, something powerful clicks into place.
Before descending, we were treated to a stunning drone performance — hundreds of LED-lit drones dancing in synchrony over the Wall, forming shapes that paid tribute to China’s cultural heritage. It was one of those rare modern additions that didn’t feel out of place. The drones, like the Wall itself, told a story — not just of the past, but of how tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully. It was the only “show” of the night, and it felt earned, not staged.
On my way down, the oil lamps cast long shadows behind me, while the valley below blinked with lights from Gubei’s inns and bathhouses. I thought about my mother waiting back at the restaurant — her choice to stay back wasn’t about age or ability, but wisdom. She knew this climb was a solitary kind of magic, one that needed to be taken alone. And she gave me that space. She was ushered out as the restaurant was closing, but thankfully, a kind Beijing auntie also a fellow tourist stayed with her, and a beautiful friendship was born.
Somewhere along the trail, I realised this wasn’t just a trek. It was a reminder. Not every moment needs to be captured. Not every triumph needs a witness. Simatai, in all its darkness and honesty, showed me the quiet strength of simply moving forward — no spotlight, no applause.
Stay: Base yourself at Gubei Water Town Resort (水镇大酒店) or one of the boutique lodgings within the village. Most are walkable to the cable car station.
Tickets: Night trekking requires a special Simatai Night Access Ticket. These can be purchased via Gubei Water Town’s official website or through your hotel.
Transport: From Beijing, arrange a private car or take a shuttle bus to Gubei. The journey takes 2.5–3 hours depending on traffic.
Timing: Arrive at Gubei by afternoon. Most night climbs begin at dusk, followed by the drone performance around 8–9 PM.
What to Wear: Lightweight hiking shoes, breathable activewear, and a small backpack. Leave the big camera and tripods behind — this one’s best absorbed, not documented.
If you are a traveller who craves more than curated experiences — someone who values authenticity over aesthetics — Simatai is your kind of place. It’s ideal for introspective adventurers, couples seeking quiet romance, or solo travellers on a soul-reset. It’s not flashy. It’s not famous. But it is unforgettable.
We are living in an age of hyper-visibility, where even rest can feel performative. But Simatai doesn’t care who’s watching. It offers no approval, no gold star. And in that stillness, it teaches you to be okay with just being. To move through darkness without fear. To find strength in silence. And that, I think, is a lesson we could all use more of.
So the next time you find yourself in Beijing, skip the usual. Drive a little further. Climb a little slower. Stay a little longer. The Great Wall will always be there, but Simatai waits for those who are ready to meet it on its own terms. At night. In quiet. Alone, but never lonely.
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