Great Wall at Simatai--Wall Built on Steep Slopes

The Great Wall at Simatai, not far from Gubeikou, is located at Hexiang Village of Dongzhuang in Miyun County, Beijing, 120 kilometres from the city centre. It was the east section of the Gubeikou defence line. The wall, made of stone and brick, is what remains of the Ming Dynasty.

The Simatai wall, with densely-dispersed watchtowers snaking on steep slopes, looks magnificent. Because of the topography the top of the wall at the foot of the mountain is as wide as five metres while at the mountain top it is only 40 centimetres wide (or the thickness of two bricks). This kind of wall is called single-sided or "sky ladder" by the local people. It can only be found at Simatai.

At one section of the Simatai wall a mountain slope itself is used as part of the wall due to its steepness.

Along the Simatai wall one can also find a section laid with bricks carrying inscriptions, such as, "Made by Qiangzi Camp," "Made by the left camp of Shandong in the 6th year of the Wanli reign," and "Made by the infantry camp of suppressing enemy troops in the 6th year of the Wanli reign." These messages not only record their origin, but also the period of time they were written.

In the valley, the Simatai Reservoir, rippling with blue water, separates the Great Wall into two parts. Like two dragons, they move down from the east and west mountains to the reservoir. Because of the wonderful reflection of the magnificent Great Wall in the blue water, the Simatai Wall is also called the "Scenic Great Wall."

Moreover, there are two springs at the rear of the reservoir; the one in the east delivers hot water with a temperature of 38 Celsius the year round, while the west one provides cool water. Even now the two springs still provide a plentiful flow.