To local tour groups’ dismay, China Daily reported this morning that the Miyun County Government has announced the closure of the Simatai section of the Great Wall for renovation. The sudden closure was announced last Wednesday (June 16).

Located about 150km from the city center, Simatai draws thousands of visitors every year with the promise of a “less touristy” Great Wall experience than closer, more developed stretches of the famous landmark like Badaling. Before its closing, tourists could hike from nearby Jinshanling, over a peak, and down to Simatai, surrounded by not much more than forested mountains. Simatai itself features little more than a handful of restaurants and a hostel.

China Daily reports that “access to the once popular tourist attraction has been mostly blocked with barriers running from north to west. Its ticket offices and other related ancillary facilities stand vacant and only management staff is permitted to enter the site.”

The precise reason for the unexpected closure remains unclear. While local citizens have been asked to relocate, the government’s request did not come as an order, according to the China Daily report. Local guards will not disclose reasons for the closure, and the nature of the renovation is still unspecified. This indefinite lull in tourism is making local business owners nervous, as almost all of their custom comprises Great Wall hikers.

Cordoning off the Simatai section has generated a flurry of last-minute plan changes for Beijing tour groups and visitors. Scheduled tours, usually crossing from Jinshanling to Simatai, have been truncated to only include Jinshanling. More rebellious wall-goers have already been scheming to get around the official barricades, discussing strategy on websites like greatwallforum.com.

It’s probably a safer option, however, to look into other Great Wall excursion options like Mutianyu next time you have visitors in town.