Simatai closure kills local restaurants and ignites unlicensed tour groups

The unexplained closure of the Simatai section of the Great Wall on Wednesday is worrying owners of nearby vacant restaurants, Beijing Youth Daily reported on Sunday.

Little is known about the reason behind the closure, including the length of the measure, other than it will involve some form of reconstruction.

Villagers in the region have received an open letter from Miyun government asking them to move out, as quickly as possible. The suggestion was not written as an order and there was no mention of compensation.