The Jiankou Great Wall was built on the precipitous terrain next to Mutianyu Great Wall , which was noted for its precipitousness and steepness. Sections known as Jinshanling and Simatai guard the strategic Gubeikou Gateway in Miyun County. Arrayed to the east of the gateway, both were controlled by the Gubeikou garrison in the Ming period. The Jinshanling section is virtually a museum of the architectural styles of Ming towers. 67 towers are found within a distance of 10 kilometers.
Historical records show that the tower was used as the premises of a garrison headquarters.
Located to the east of the Jinshanling section , the Simatai section begins at the Simatai Reservoir. The most distinctive features of this section are perhaps the stone overpass and the stairs leading up to the Fairy's Tower. The Fairy's Tower on top of the stairs is said to have been the habitat of a legendary fairy, who once even left an embroidered shoe there. East of the tower is the highest point in the Simatai section -the Tower for Viewing the Capital, from where on a clear autumn night people can sight the lights of Beijing. The section of the Great Wall in Bijia Mountains, which lies between the Mentougou District of Beijing and Huailai County, Hebei province, has so far drawn little public attention.