Overview
Gubei Water Town, located in Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing, sits beside Yuanyang Lake Reservoir and is backed by the Simatai Great Wall, hailed as "China's most beautiful and precipitous." It's a resort town with a unique northern style nestled at the foot of the Great Wall. The entire scenic area blends the grandeur of northern architecture with the gentle charm of southern water towns, creating a unique "mountain, water, and city" landscape.
It's recommended to allocate one day for this trip, combining it with a visit to the Simatai Great Wall. This allows for a more leisurely exploration of the main streets, visits to cultural exhibition halls, and enjoy classic evening activities such as the water show and drone performance.
How to Get There
Gubei Water Town is located in Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing, at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, approximately 120 kilometers from downtown Beijing.
You can take the "Gubei Water Town Special Line" from Dongzhimen, CYTS Building, or other transportation hubs in Beijing, and then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus upon arrival. For real-time navigation, we recommend using Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps, which provide the most accurate local routes and timetables; the journey takes approximately 2 hours.
What to Expect
At Gubei Water Town, you can enjoy boat rides or watch the light and water shows in the evening.
Note that most shopkeepers and staff in the town don't speak English, so downloading a translation app on your phone beforehand will be very helpful. The streets are all paved with cobblestones, so be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes. It gets very cold in winter, especially at night, so dress warmly.
Practical Tips
- You can wear Hanfu or Qipao for photos; there are also rental shops in the ancient town.
- Guided tours within the scenic area are available for one-way (within 2 hours): 200 RMB/tour; full-tour guided tours (within 4 hours): 400 RMB/tour (English-speaking guides are only available for full-tour guided tours).
- Book your room in advance! Especially during holidays, hot spring rooms are in high demand.
