• If I just have two days in Beijing, what itinerary would you suggest?
• What 's the best way to get around Beijing?
• Can I use travelers checks and how can I exchange currency?
• What about the accommodation in Beijing?
• What kind of local snacks can I taste in Beijing and where?
>>More Tour Tips

This section of the Wall is regarded as the essence of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in Beijing. Unlike the Badaling and Mutianyu sections, it is one of the few stretches of the wall that retains the original features of when it was built 500 years ago. It is 5.4 kilometers (3.36 miles) long, with the Jinshanling Great Wall to the west.

The Simatai Great wall is incredibly dramatic, snaking back and forth into the mountains. In the valley, it is separated into two parts by the Mandarin Duck Lake, over which a chain bridge runs from east to west. Like two huge golden dragons, the two parts of the Wall wind down into the lake, forming a wonderful reflection of the Great Wall in the clear blue water. Amazingly the lake is a combination of both a warm and cold spring, making half the lake warm and the other half cool. In winter, hot steam rise from the lake, forming a marvelous spectacle and a great background for photos.

The most harrowing portion of Simatai Great Wall is on the east side of the lake. Several gravel-strewn spots require all four limbs to navigate. There, tourists can appreciate the Stairway to Heaven, the Fairy Tower, the Heaven Bridge and the Wangjinglou Tower. In order to reach the Fairy Tower, tourists must climb the 85 degree slope Stairway to Heaven, where the Wall narrows to only allow one person to pass. The endpoint is the Wangjinglou Tower, from which one can see the outline of Beijing City. Between the Fairy Tower and the Wangjinglou Tower is the Heavenly Bridge, built across a deep abyss.

With its fantastic scenery and precipitous topography, Simatai Great Wall is a good choice for outdoors types, backpackers, and adventurers. It provides a peaceful place to hike and explore for a day far removed from the crowded more touristy areas. Some parts of the wall can be dangerous, so it is best not to go alone. Wear sturdy shoes and take a knapsack to keep your hands free. A cable car is now available if you aren 't so adventurous.

Some parts of the wall can be a real challenge for climbing as it is so rugged.	The steepness of the Simatai is stunning, such as this stairway to heaven.