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.
The letter added that Miyun government started cooperation with China CYTS Tours Holding Co Ltd last month. It said investments would be made to develop local tourism resources in the near future.
A staff member surnamed Zheng, who was said to be in charge of the reconstruction project, told the paper the tourist attraction is closed until further notice. He refused to disclose details.
The decrease in the number of tourists has sparked anger in some nearby farm owners who once supplied dining options to hungry travelers.
"Only two tables in my restaurant were filled today at lunch. Last year, there was a queue that went out of the door," said the owner of a roadside restaurant next to Simatai scenic area.
"Some restaurants with worse locations are facing an even direr situation with a complete lack of customers since the closure," he said.
But while tourism to the area might be down, it is certainly not yet out.
A guard at the entrance to the wall said although various media outlets have published notices revealing the closure of the scenic spot and travel agencies have cancelled their tour routes, scores of tourists continue to arrive.
"Simatai Great Wall was closed to visitors on June 16. If members of the public want to climb the Great Wall, we will advise them to climb Jinshanling instead since it is the nearest alternative," said the guard.
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.
However, despite the lockdown, locals have posted online that they can still take tourists to the area as private tour guides.
"We actually used to take tourists there before its closure and dodged the need to buy tickets," said a restaurant owner.
"Since nobody knows when the scenic area will reopen, the private tour guide business can subsidize our restaurant losses," he said.
Village rumors are rife about the reason behind the facelift, including the idea that Simatai might become something like the commercially successful Badaling Great Wall site. Nothing has been confirmed.
