Jinshanling is the western neighbour of Simatai, separated by about 10 kilometres of wall along the ridge. Unlike Simatai, Jinshanling is in Hebei Province rather than the Beijing municipality — the administrative boundary runs roughly along the ridge. The section here has been partially restored, but more tastefully than most: enough to make it walkable, not so much that it loses its character.
The Jinshanling-to-Simatai hike is the classic Great Wall trek, and deservedly so. The route passes through a remarkable variety of terrain — open ridgelines, forested saddles, steep climbs to high watchtowers — and the combination of restored and unrestored sections means you get a sense of both the wall's design and its decay. Start at Jinshanling for the best light in the morning and walk east to Simatai for a dramatic finish.
Jinshanling has its own entrance fee and ticketing system, separate from Simatai. You can combine them in a single day by arranging transport at either end, or do one as a standalone. The village at the Jinshanling entrance has guesthouses and basic restaurants for those who want to spread the experience over two days.