Gubei Water Town, located just 1 km from the Simatai Great Wall, is approximately 120 kilometers from the center of Beijing. It is about 25 km to the Jinshanling Great Wall and around 10 km to the Gubeikou Great Wall.
This large resort area is designed to resemble an ancient Qing Dynasty town, with buildings constructed in the traditional Chinese courtyard style.
You can spend several days exploring the town and the surrounding region, or use it as a convenient and interesting place to stay overnight while visiting Simatai or the nearby Jinshanling Great Wall section.
Hi, I'm Bruce! When I was 18 years old, I came to Beijing to study, and I was immediately captivated by the city's rich history and profound culture. In 2007, I turned my passion into a profession and became a local tour guide. Whether it's the grandeur of the Forbidden City, the breathtaking majesty of the Great Wall, or the warmth of a traditional siheyuan, every corner of this city resonates with its vibrant spirit.
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- From Forgotten Villages to It
- Is It Worth Visiting?
- Visit It From Beijing
- Is It Wheelchair-friendly?
- Where to Stay Within the Town?
- Discover Beijing with China Highlights
From Forgotten Villages to Gubei Water Town
In the summer of 2007, I trekked from the Jinshanling Great Wall to the Simatai Great Wall. After descending from Simatai, I walked along a small stream, passing three or four small villages. Each village had about a dozen households. Judging by the appearance of the houses, the villagers were not very wealthy.
Ten years later, in 2017, I returned to this place. The changes were astonishing. It is no exaggeration to describe them as earth-shattering. If not for the unchanged Simatai Great Wall, I would never have believed this was the same place I visited ten years ago.
Originally called Gubei Village, it has transformed into a world-famous tourist destination and is now known as Gubei Water Town.
Is Gubei Water Town Worth Visiting?
Gubei Water Town is definitely worth visiting. If you have enough time, I highly recommend staying one night here to add some leisure and a slower pace to your cultural and historical trip to Beijing.
Surrounded by mountains, there are gurgling streams and a constant stream of travelers. The lake surface ripples with blue waves, and boats float in the distance.
The small stone bridges across the lake are variously shaped. The buildings on the shore are scattered in an orderly manner, simple and elegant.
Gubei Water TownOn the left hilltop stands a towering Buddha pagoda, and on the right ridge is a magnificent and solemn church. Looking up, on the high ridge in the distance lies a giant dragon, which is the most precipitous section of the world-famous Great Wall - Simatai Great Wall!
Yuantong PagodaIf I hadn't been here ten years ago, I would have believed this was an ancient town with a history of thousands of years. Every flower, tree, leaf, vine, stone, tile, bridge, and house is in perfect harmony with nature.
From the first step into the water town, there is a beautiful scene at every turn. You can't help but marvel and take out your phone to snap pictures non-stop. You just can't stop!
Visit Gubei Water Town From Beijing
Red leaves in autumn in Gubei Water TownThe best time to visit Gubei Water Town is from early April to mid-November, and the ideal duration is two days.
- Day 1:
In the morning, start from downtown Beijing. After a drive of more than two hours, the car will be parked in the parking lot outside the scenic area.
Check your luggage at the parking lot and take the shuttle bus to the tourist center to handle hotel check-in procedures and buy scenic area tickets. Your luggage will be transferred directly to your hotel.
Once inside, enjoy the beautiful scenery and visit the Sima Shaojiu Workshop. You can learn about the Shaojiu-making process, smell the fragrant wine in the cellar, and taste authentic Shaojiu.
Sima Shaojiu WorkshopNext, visit the Yongshun Dyeing Workshop and experience the charm of the dyeing process. You can also try kite-making techniques and enjoy shadow puppet shows.
Yongshun Dyeing WorkshopTry kite-making techniquesShadow puppet showsWhile walking and taking pictures, taste various delicious snacks by the roadside.
Eventually, you will reach Sun Moon Square. Find a place to sit and enjoy a Peking Opera or acrobatics performance.
Peking Opera at the Grand TheaterIf you still have energy, visit Zhenyuan Escort Agency and the exhibition on the life of the Eight Banners people in the Qing Dynasty. If tired, return to the hotel to rest or enjoy a hot spring bath.
Zhenyuan Escort AgencyIn the evening, explore the night view of the water town or take a night tour of the Simatai Great Wall. At night, enjoy the light show and a drone show above Sun Moon Square, both free to watch.
Night view of Gubei Water TownA night tour of the Simatai Great Wall- Day 2:
The next morning, visit the Simatai Great Wall for 1-2 hours or enjoy a hike for about 4-5 hours. Then, have lunch and return to downtown Beijing.
Is Gubei Water Town Wheelchair-friendly?
Gubei Water Town is not very suitable for wheelchair users because the paths are made of cobblestones, which can be challenging even for pulling a suitcase, let alone a wheelchair.
Cobblestone roadMost areas require walking, but you can take breaks and enjoy activities along the way.
If you prefer not to walk too much, there are electric carts and boats available. However, these routes are along the edges of the town, so while you can see the town, you might miss the beautiful sights in the small streets and alleys.
Take a boat in the Gubei Water TownWhere to Stay Within the Town?
There are over 40 hotels of various sizes in the water town. All are newly built, with modern facilities and beautiful environments.
The following 5-star hotels are the ones we most frequently recommend to our clients:
- Beijing Wtown Hotspring Resort: hot spring and spacious rooms
Beijing Wtown Hotspring Resort- Wangjing Tower Boutique Hotel: Great Wall view, traditional Chinese decoration, and hot spring
Wangjing Tower Boutique Hotel- William Edgar Boutique Hotel: enthusiastic service and outdoor swimming pool
William Edgar Boutique HotelDiscover Beijing with China Highlights
Feel free to contact us for recommendations on specific hotels and room types in Gubei Water Town, as well as itineraries for the Great Wall and other places in Beijing. Our Beijing Expert will customize the best plan according to your needs.
These itineraries could be a starting point:
2-Day Great Wall Mutianyu-Simatai Day-Night Tour - Enjoy both major Great Wall sections and an overnight stay at Gubei Water Town.
3-Day Beijing Highlights with a Great Wall Night Tour and overnight stay at Gubei Water Town.