Simatai is a famous and distant entry point to the Great Wall of China. It is located 80 miles from center of Beijing and is part of the Yanshan Mountains. Its construction started in the early Hongwu years (1368-1398) of the Ming Dynasty.
The Simatai section of the Great Wall is about 4 miles long with a total of 35 watchtowers. The ruinous state of this part of the Wall gives it an air of authenticity that has earned it the reputation of being the most beautiful section of the Great Wall. Simatai contains a number of strategic watch towers where troops were stationed on guard, or used as signal towers to warn Beijing of attempted attacks by Mongolian and other enemy soldiers. It held a strategic pass in that part of China, and stands out as the most fascinating example of architecture along the entire Great Wall.
