[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Great Wall At Simatai (Updated Aug)

In Beijing, you can visit several sections of the Great Wall. The ones closest to the city and most popular among tourists are the Great Wall at Badaling and Mutianyu Great Wall. However, if you prefer fewer crowds and a more authentic experience, you should opt for the section near the town of Gubei (Simatai Great Wall). 📍Address: BeijingMiyunGubeikouzhen Simataicun (Jingcheng Expressway Simatai Great Wall Exit Northward 2 Kilometres) 🕰️Business Hours: 09:00 - 22:30 This is the only section of the Great Wall where you can visit at night. I traveled to the town by purchasing a tour package. The comfortable bus ride from Beijing took about 2 hours. Alternatively, you can reach the town by car, bus, or train followed by a local bus. 💰Average Price per Person: I found the tour on WeChat, which cost 300 yuan and included the bus ride and entrance ticket to the Great Wall. Additionally, the cable car round trip cost 120 yuan, and the river crossing in the town was 150 yuan. Group lunch at a hot pot restaurant was offered for 70 yuan per person, but based on my experience, I recommend choosing a restaurant on your own for a more personalized dining experience. 💞Reasons to Recommend: In my personal opinion, I recommend spending one and a half to two days in this town. If you opt for the cable car, exploring the wall won’t take much time (I covered towers 5 to 8 in just half an hour). There’s also a route without the cable car, which takes about 3.5 to 4 hours to complete all 10 towers. The town itself is very beautiful and authentic. It has been restored and is now a commercial tourist destination, but it’s incredibly picturesque. At 8:00 PM, the lights are turned on, transforming the place into a magical evening setting. I highly recommend visiting in the evening to enjoy the illuminated water town, staying overnight at one of the many hotels, and then heading to the Great Wall the next morning.

So far‼️My favorite "Misty Jiangnan" in Beijing has emerged||When I sat by the door overlooking the entire town, it was like seeing an ink painting, nestled at the foot of the Great Wall, with small bridges, flowing water, and ancient architecture complementing each other, blending the soft beauty of water towns with the grandeur of mountain cities～ 🔴This town is surrounded by rivers, 🛶with multiple boat-passable waterways within 🔴Could this be the place described by Bai Juyi as "In spring, the river water is as green as indigo"? So beautiful!!! ✅Recommended to visit for 2 days and 1 night. I explored the entire town and compiled many photo spots and itinerary sequences for your reference. 🟣Transportation 🚄High-speed train Gubeikou Station, depart from Beijing North, Qinghe, or Changping North. First train at 6:57, last train at 15:03, return last train at 17:20 🚗Self-drive Navigate to Gubei Water Town Parking Lot, 🅿️25/day, charging available at Parking Lots 5 and 6 🚌Bus Direct bus from Dongzhimenwai Bus Station, 2h direct ride 🟣Itinerary Day1: Sima Xiao Distillery➡Yongshun Dyehouse➡Matchmaker Temple➡Yinghua Academy➡Yuantong Pagoda➡Mountain Top Church➡Zhenyuan Escort Agency➡Eight Banners Guildhall Day2: Simatai Great Wall, Mountain Slide Car 🔥Photo Spots Pic 4,5,13: Mountain Top Church Pic 8,16,17: South Heaven Gate Pic 18: Qianshan Tea House Pic 1,6,7: Chaohe River Bridge Pic 2: Pier Inn Pic 11,12: Yongshun Dyehouse Pic 10: Yuantong Pagoda Pic 3: Yinghua Bridge Pic 9,14: Kite Shop, Tangshi Street ‼Key Info ✅Visit Mountain Top Church and Yuantong Pagoda for panoramic views of the town. Around 8 PM, you can watch the drone show, then head to Wangjing Street for the Great Wall Music Water Dance Show, followed by hot springs on the wall ✅Yangui Pier, Riyuedao Pier, and Yuanyang Lake Pier all offer paddle boat rides ✅During Qingming Festival, enjoy the "Flower God Ballad" folk music performance at the old stage on Riyuedao, and encounter "Folk Music Among Flowers" performances themed around flowers throughout the town ✅Free river lanterns are available during Qingming Festival

First visit to Gubei Water Town, located in the outskirts of Beijing, near the Simatai Great Wall. The ancient town is built along the water, with many Ming and Qing dynasty, as well as Republic of China style mountain courtyards preserved on the streets. It exudes the grandeur of a northern ancient town while also featuring the charm of a southern water town, creating a simple and elegant environment. The park is car-free, making it perfect for walking tours. Along the way, you can see ancient houses, archways, pagodas, bridges, and more, as if stepping into a time tunnel back to ancient times. You can also take sightseeing cars and boats. The town has many unique shops, making eating, staying, and shopping very convenient. The western end of the ancient town is connected to the Simatai Great Wall scenic area, where you can climb the Great Wall after touring the ancient town and experience the steep and beautiful Simatai. The entrance fee to the scenic area is 150 RMB, and the Simatai package ticket is 170 RMB, which is more cost-effective.

#GetDiscountsWithoutLuck Let's take the cable car to the Great Wall of China, Shimatai Pass. This is one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall of China and is the only Great Wall of China that has been completely preserved from the Ming Dynasty and has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you get up there, the view is beautiful. I must say that you should come here at least once! When you arrive in Beijing, you can see a panoramic view of the surrounding area. It is another beautiful viewpoint of the Great Wall of China. After getting off the Great Wall, take a walk around the village. If you want to rent ancient Chinese clothes to take beautiful photos, there are plenty of them here. Plus, at night, the lights are just as beautiful as during the day. #TravelChina #TravelBeijing #GreatWallofChina

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#Beijingtravel Arriving at Gubei Water Town in Beijing, we faced the spectacular Simatai Great Wall, an ancient building full of historical mystery. Standing opposite the lake, looking at the winding Great Wall, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe in my heart💖. The Simatai Great Wall is famous for its five characters: "dangerous, dense, complete, skillful and strange", and this is by no means a false name! Climbing the Great Wall, the scenery in front of you is amazing🌄. Jagged mountains intersect with lush greenery, creating a spectacular scene. Especially the "Ladder" and "Overpass" sections made me feel the real dangers. The slope of the sky ladder is steep, and walking on it makes your heart beat faster😳. When I arrived at the sky bridge, it was only 40 centimeters wide, with breathtaking cliffs on both sides, which instantly made me shudder💨. In such a steep challenge, in addition to enjoying the spectacular natural scenery✨, there is also the contemplation of dialogue with history. Stepping onto this Great Wall with a long history, every moment you feel is a challenge to yourself and awe of nature! Looking forward to coming back next time and continuing to explore this magnificent land🌍!

Wow! It's so beautiful here!😲It's exactly what I imagined Mid-Autumn Festival to be like. The Jiangnan water town, full of greenery in summer, will be covered by leaves of various colors this month. It looks like an overturned palette🎨, with colorful forests and beautiful scenery everywhere!😍 🍁About the viewing period: This is one of the earliest places in Beijing to see red leaves, and there are many different types of trees. The combination of red, yellow, and green leaves is perfect for taking photos!📅Shooting date: 2023.10.14, estimated viewing period: mid-October to late October. 📷Come and see some of the best autumn photo spots: 🍁Washing Dust Bridge: The waterfall and stream in front of the bridge, with the mountains in the background, reflect the colorful leaves on both sides of the river. The Simatai Great Wall is clearly visible, and the blue sky makes it look like an oil painting!🖼️ 🍁Cloud Cafe: This is the perfect place to take a panoramic view of the town, and you can see the autumn town from different angles!☕ 🍁Zhenyuan Escort Bureau: The red leaf waterfall and moon gate at the entrance are stunning!🤩 🍁BBQ Restaurant: The large red leaf waterfall is amazing!🥩 🍁Eight Banners Inn: The deep alley itself has a strong sense of depth.🏮 🍁Red Makeup Bridge: The winding river and the red-leafed wooden corridor, the swaying willow branches and the gently gliding rowing boat, form a beautiful picture of a small bridge flowing water and people's homes in autumn.🌸 🍁Chaohechuan Bridge: The pier where the rowing boats are concentrated, with flocks of white geese passing by from time to time, is super cute!🦢 🍁Longdao Bridge: A must-pass for rowing boats, with a background of pillow-water houses surrounded by mountains.🛶 🍁General Yang Noodle Restaurant: The alleyway photo spot is really cool!🍜 🔺Here are some other recommended activities: ✔️Climb the Simatai Great Wall: It is recommended to take the cable car round trip, and the night tour is highly recommended!🏞️ ✔️Mountaintop Church + Cloud Cafe: The perfect place to overlook the entire town, with stunning night views!✨ ✔️Night drone show: With the Great Wall as the background, the drone changes various patterns and shapes in the sky according to the music. There are two shows every night, so don't miss it!🚁 ✔️Great Wall Music and Water Dance Show: Fountains and laser projections combine to create an audio-visual feast.💃

The legendary spot with 1 of the 7 wonders of the world that is closest to the ancient village is ‘Simatai Great Wall’, the Simatai Great Wall, the most amazing point of the Great Wall of China because it is the only one that is still in its original condition since the Ming Dynasty. It is 5.6 kilometers long on the steep mountain range. Even though you are walking on the stone wall, it is recommended to wear comfortable sneakers because some parts are steep and rough. But I must say that both sides of the road are beautiful and grand. If anyone is staying overnight in Gubeishuizhen Village, I recommend trying to walk at night. They will turn on orange lights along the way, giving it another kind of romantic vibe. #Chinese architecture

After visiting the Simatai Great Wall, I really have to exclaim: Why go to crowded places when you can enjoy the Simatai Great Wall so much! Having lived in Beijing for many years, I used to accompany others to the Great Wall, and without exception, it was always the Badaling Great Wall. Initially, I would climb with them, but gradually, I just waited in the parking lot because there were simply too many people! This time, I chose to go to Simatai, intuitively thinking there would be fewer people. 🚗 The Simatai Great Wall is located in the Gubei Water Town scenic area. I have visited Gubei Water Town many times but never climbed the Great Wall there, so this time I headed straight for the Great Wall. 🌄 I really didn't expect so few people walking up the Great Wall. You can walk slowly and quietly enjoy the scenery. I wonder if this is the norm for Simatai? It might be because it's a weekday, and many tourists don't know about this place, or it's too far from the city center, so they don't choose it easily. 🏔️ Thinking about it, it seems the only two times I actively wanted to climb the Great Wall were both in Miyun. The first time was many years ago when that section of the Great Wall was just broken bricks and foundations. Standing on the uneven remnants of the Great Wall, there was a real sense of desolate grandeur. If you're not in a hurry and have good physical strength, you can choose to walk. It takes about half an hour from the entrance of the Great Wall scenic area to the foot of the Great Wall, all on winding stone paths that are relatively gentle, and most sections have shade. As the terrain gradually rises, you can see the full view of Yuanyang Lake below and the Yuan Tong Temple Pagoda in Gubei Water Town. The scenery from high up is really beautiful. There are several sections of the Great Wall with beacon towers, and the steps are somewhat steep, but each time you climb a section, the cool mountain breeze makes it all worth it. 🌆 You can also visit the Great Wall at night, but only by cable car. We didn't go up at night, but from the ancient town, the lit-up Great Wall looked like a winding dragon, offering another beautiful view. I really recommend staying overnight in Gubei Water Town. After climbing the Great Wall, you can rest and stroll around at night. I come here once or twice a year, no matter what others say. The place is big enough, well-managed, clean overall, with many performances to keep you entertained, and the food is not bad. With all these conditions, what more could you ask for? A two-hour drive is much more convenient than traveling out of town.

Finally checked in at the solo Great Wall. I always thought the hardest part would be walking on the wall, but it turned out to be various stone climbing and unexpected wild road conditions that got me. Right off the bus, under the watch of local villagers, I crazily rushed up the mountain, running a long stretch. Coupled with the muggy weather, my legs lost most of their strength. Just climbing a slope, after a few steps, my legs felt extremely tired, and my thighs were sore. I gritted my teeth and persevered, step by step. Along the way, crossing large slopes, leaf-covered dirt roads, I slipped and fell 3 times, thankfully without injury. Besides the exceptionally difficult sandy roads, what followed were large stones that required hands and feet. Up and down, it felt like a roller coaster ride. Every time I climbed a big stone, I thought it was the last one, but reaching the top, I saw another one behind it. Walking on the wall was the easiest part, the path wasn't as narrow as I imagined. The difficulty was descending the stone steps over a meter high. Just support your body with both hands and slowly lower to the ground. Once your feet are stable and you're brave, you can walk very fast. Overall, the last section of the Great Wall had better scenery, mostly a mix of huge rocks and watchtowers. It felt lonely. I'm planning to come back in a better season with good weather.

Gubei Water Town is a gorgeous fairy-tale town situated below the Great Wall. The Simatai Great wall looms so high above the water town, it gives the impression that it may be floating in the clouds, as the lights of wall switch on at dusk and are just barely visible through a thin layer of mist that gently veils the mountain. I suggest a walk up to the Great Wall, the scenery is incredible, and then to take the cable car down. The water town is best explored in the evening/night, it really comes to life and there are many types of delicious foods and beautiful trinkets to be bought. Enjoy your Fairy-tale escape☺️ #beijingtrip #thegreatwall #watertown #fairytale

#bucketlistreboot Simatai, a section of the Great Wall of China located in the North of Miyun County, 120 kilometers northeast of Beijing, holds the access to Gubeikou, a strategic pass in the Eastern part of the Great Wall. Take the cable car from which you can walk to East Tower 5 or East Tower 8( about 30 minutes) to have a great look down on Gubei Ancient Town. The cable car may stop operating when there are high winds. The simplest way to come here, is to take part the day tour organise at Beijing, you also can chose to go up the Great Wall at night. Simatai Great Wall is the only one that opens to tourists at night.

This attraction is located in Beijing, but in the most remote area - Miyun. This is a small village that resembles ancient China. But all this is new, built a few years ago. You can go there and visit the beautiful section of the Great Wall of China - Simatai. It is especially beautiful in the evening at sunset, when the lights are turned on. There are hotels with hot springs. This excursion is for 1-2 days. Lots of restaurants, street cafes. When you walk around the village, you feel like you are in an Ancient China drama. #themepark

Great hiking beautiful walk all the way the only problem is to come down after you climb the stairs. I felt like my legs were shaking and shivering body. the climbing was fun than coming back down. later I got to use the cable cars to climb up in the night which gave me a very beautiful view on top to see the whole gold city. there’s lots of entertainment down. The place is surrounded by water, great hotels with beautiful views, on weekends it’s kinda full of Chinese cause they like to visit their own country so it’s better you do it on weekdays to get nice views at the wall and in the evening you can chill and relax in so many hotels around. #gooutside

The Great Wall of China is a representative tourist destination that always appears when traveling to China, and is a tremendous cultural heritage left by mankind.. The Great Wall of China is one of the famous and representative tourist destinations that needs no explanation or other modifiers. When I first set foot on this wall, which was built over centuries to guard against invasions by northern peoples, it was not as high as I thought, and there were many narrow sections, so I was a little disappointed, but as I encountered the endless persistence on the incredibly steep hills, and the sections that made me wonder how humans could have built structures in such a place at that time, I could see why this place was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site. That's a bonus for many people, lol. Personally, the Great Wall that has been developed into a tourist attraction is worth seeing, but the sections that have almost completely collapsed were even more impressive. #Must-see historic site #China #Beijing #China travel #Great Wall

Simatai is perhaps the most exciting section of the Great Wall accessible to visitors. It is nothing short of awesome to see the Great Wall snaking over the tops of the mountains. Simatai is less crowded than other Wall sites. It hasn’t been fully restored yet, so it’s a good opportunity to see parts of the original wall. Simatai is 5.5 km (3.4 miles) long with 34 towers, though only 10 are officially open to the public. Steps are steep in the restored section, and you should be careful if you hike beyond this area as drop-offs are steep. If you want to avoid the hassle of getting there yourself, a guided hiking tour of the Great Wall might be easier. This full-day tour takes you to one of the most beautiful stretches to hike along. Over the course of the day, you’ll walk from Simatai West to Jinshanling Pass. With stunning views wherever you look, hiking along this historic and impressive human-made monument promises to be an unforgettable experience. #beijingtrip #urbanexplorer #ancientlandmark

On the way up to Simatai Wall through this nice Brook of Rivers and Flowers. The relaxing sound of the water in a green lush mountain foot is a perfect introduction. Don't forget to get ice cream on your way back down. #scenicspotguide

#triplocal #triplocal

The Simatai Great Wall, located in Gubei Water Town, is the only Great Wall in China that preserves the original appearance of the Ming Dynasty. The entire Great Wall is built on the precipitous mountain. It is known as the odd, special and dangerous, and has 20 complete enemy buildings. In particular, the Wangjing Building is built on a steep peak at an altitude of 1,000 meters. The scenery is excellent and you can see the city of Beijing. Simatai Great Wall was identified by UNESCO as the Original Great Wall. In 2012, the Times of the United Kingdom translated the Great Wall of Simatai into "the top of the 25 landscapes that should not be missed globally." Under the blue sky and white clouds, the ancient Great Wall is quaint and quaint, and the old walls silently tell the story of the wolf. The Jinge Iron Horse has become a past, and now the Great Wall has long been transformed into a tourist attraction that the Chinese have to visit once in their lifetime. It is a symbol of the Chinese nation, a testimony to history, and a legend of the blue bricks.

The Simatai Great Wall is adjacent to the Gubei Water Town. The wall of the Great Wall is built on the precipitous mountain and is known as the strange, special and dangerous. Chinas famous ancient architect Luo Zhewen once commented that Chinas Great Wall is the best in the world.

#holidayitinerary 🕰️ Best Time to Visit • Autumn 🍂 (Sep–Nov) – golden leaves, cooler weather • Weekdays for fewer crowds 🌞 🌟 Highlights • Canal Walks & Stone Bridges 🌉 – beautiful reflections in autumn light • Simatai Great Wall Viewpoints 🏰 – combine water town visit with Great Wall hiking • Old Streets & Courtyards 🏘️ – souvenir shops, traditional architecture • Tea Houses & Cafés 🍵 – cozy breaks while admiring riverside views • Lantern-lit Evening Walks 🏮✨ – romantic night atmosphere 🍜 Local Snacks • Grilled skewers 🍢 • Sticky rice balls 🥟 • Local herbal teas 🍵 #holidayitinerary #myitinerary #familytravel #china #travel #chinatravel #chinatrip

Breaking news! There’s a “Northern Wuzhen” hidden around Beijing, and you can even tour the Great Wall at night! “Who says Beijing only has the Forbidden City and hutongs? Deep in the mountains of Miyun, I discovered a ‘breathing’ Northern Wuzhen—Gubei Water Town! By day, it’s like an ink-wash painting of Jiangnan; by night, it transforms into a starry sky theater. The best part? You can walk on the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and watch the Milky Way!” When I saw this on my social feed last week, I immediately booked a high-speed train ticket. From Beijing Chaoyang Station, it’s a 40-minute ride to Gubeikou Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride, and I entered this “Great Wall secret spot” overlooked by 99% of tourists. 1. Gubei Water Town: A “hybrid town” wilder than Wuzhen and trendier than Lijiang 1. Architectural Code: A magical collision of northern residences × Jiangnan water towns As soon as I entered the scenic area, I was amazed—the northern-style siheyuan with gray bricks and tiles actually hides winding Jiangnan water alleys! The designer mixed local Miyun stone with southern bamboo and wood, even replicating Wuzhen’s curved eaves drip tiles. The most amazing is the “Zhenyuan Escort Agency,” a Ming and Qing dynasty escort agency site where you can see northern escort guards practicing on plum blossom stakes and, through the courtyard, glimpse southern garden moon gates, as if traveling through time and space. Hidden fun: Shake a fortune stick in front of the “Yuelao Shrine,” and the fortune teller will read the fortune in the Miyun dialect—more down-to-earth than a temple! 2. Water System Mystery: A singing northern water town Don’t think the north has no water towns! Gubei Water Town has dug 3 kilometers of artificial canals, channeling fresh water from Simatai Reservoir into the town. At 6 a.m., a thin mist rises over the water, like a veil draping the town; at 5 p.m., black-awning boats start rowing, and the boatwomen sing Miyun mountain songs, their voices rippling over the water. I secretly followed the boat fleet for 20 minutes and discovered 12 stone bridges hidden along the canals, each arch engraved with patterns from different dynasties. Foodie perk: At the bow, they sell “Miyun Three Roasts” (roast meat, roast fish, roast tofu), wrapped in lotus leaves, steaming hot and delicious! 3. Night Tour High-Tech: The Great Wall turns into a starry sky theater When night falls, Gubei Water Town reveals its true face! Simatai Great Wall is lit by 3,000 lamps, like a golden dragon coiled in the mountains. Even crazier, every Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., the Great Wall becomes an open-air cinema! I lay on the grass watching the movie “The Great Wall” projected on the real wall, with stars, ancient walls, and the screen intertwined—this experience is one of a kind worldwide! Photo tip: Use your phone’s slow shutter mode to capture the Great Wall lights and create a magical “star trails around the Great Wall” effect! 2. Simatai Great Wall: A “living fossil” of the Ming Dynasty, wilder than Badaling and more dangerous than Mutianyu 1. Hiking Guide: 10 kilometers along sheer cliffs The next morning, I challenged the “Great Wall hike.” Starting from “Wangjing Tower,” I walked along the original wall, stepping on bricks laid 600 years ago! Sections 3 to 5 were the most thrilling—the wall is less than 1 meter wide, with 30-meter-deep cliffs on both sides. When the wind blows, the wild grass in the brick cracks rustles, as if you can hear the footsteps of border guards from long ago. Safety tip: Wear non-slip shoes! Some sections have no guardrails, so it’s best to hike with a companion. 2. Cable Car Adventure: Viewing the Great Wall scroll from the air If you’re not up for hiking, take the cable car directly to “Fairy Tower.” As the cable car rises, the entire Gubei Water Town spreads below like an ink-wash painting: blue-tiled roofs connected in clusters, canals like silver chains threading through the town, and the layered Yanshan Mountains in the distance. At “Fairy Tower,” you can see poems carved on the walls by Ming Dynasty border guards, including one that reads, “The border town’s night rain is urgent, a lonely dream reaches Jiangnan,” which is especially touching. Fun fact: Simatai Great Wall is the only section that retains its original Ming Dynasty appearance, with moss growing naturally in the brick cracks! 3. Night Tour on the Great Wall: Counting stars on the ancient wall The highlight is the night tour! From Wednesday to Sunday at 7 p.m., Simatai Great Wall opens for night visits. I walked on the wall carrying a lantern; the moonlight made the bricks glow pale, and the lights of Gubei Water Town in the distance looked like stars fallen to the ground. At the “Heavenly Ladder” section, the 157 steps are almost vertical. Looking up at the sky, the Milky Way is clearly visible, as if you could reach out and pick the stars. Romantic experience: Bring a bottle of local Miyun wine and toast with your loved one on the Great Wall—this kind of romance lasts a lifetime! 3. Locals’ secret tips: A 24-hour guide from morning to night ⏰ 6:00-8:00 Morning tour of the water town • Three must-do things: 1. Watch the sunrise at “Yongshun Dyeing Workshop,” where sunlight passes through colorful fabrics like walking into a rainbow world 2. Have a bowl of “Gubei Shaobing” with lamb offal soup; the shaobing is crispy outside and soft inside, and the soup has no gamey taste 3. Take a black-awning boat to “Zhenyuan Escort Agency” and listen to the boatman’s stories about the escort agency ⏰ 9:00-12:00 Great Wall adventure • Hiking route: Wangjing Tower → Heavenly Ladder → Fairy Tower (about 3 hours) • Gear advice: Wear sneakers, bring water, wear a hat (no shade on the Great Wall) • Hidden gem: Find the brick engraved with “Wanli Year Five” at the Heavenly Ladder section and touch it for good luck ⏰ 12:30-14:00 Miyun food feast • Recommended restaurant: “Roast Meat House” for Miyun roast meat, fatty but not greasy, delicious wrapped in thin pancakes • Hidden tip: Order the “Roast Meat Set” (roast meat + thin pancakes + side dishes) and get a free homemade hawthorn juice • Avoid trap: Don’t buy “Great Wall commemorative coins” inside the scenic area—they cost three times more than outside! ⏰ 14:30-17:00 Cultural experience • DIY craft: Try tie-dye at “Yongshun Dyeing Workshop,” 60 yuan for a square scarf • Intangible cultural heritage show: Watch the Miyun dragon dance at “Sun Moon Island Square” at 3 p.m.; the dragon body is woven from straw, very rustic • Photo hotspot: The white bell tower of the “Mountain Top Church,” wearing a dress here makes for fairy-like photos ⏰ 18:00-20:00 Night tour party • Light show: Every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., Gubei Water Town has a water screen movie • Hot spring experience: Soak in the hot springs at “Duan Family Courtyard,” with views of the Great Wall lights overhead • Bar recommendation: “Great Wall Music Bar” has live singers; order a “Great Wall Special” cocktail and enjoy a tipsy starry sky 4. Practical information summary 📍 Address: Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun District, Beijing 🚗 Transportation: • Self-drive: From Beijing, take Jingcheng Expressway, exit at No. 24, navigate to “Gubei Water Town” • High-speed train: Beijing Chaoyang Station → Gubeikou Station (40 minutes), taxi 10 yuan from station 🎫 Tickets: • Gubei Water Town: 140 yuan/person • Simatai Great Wall: 40 yuan/person (hiking), 160 yuan/person (round-trip cable car) 🏨 Accommodation recommendations: • High-end: Gubei Water Town Grand Hotel (inside scenic area, Great Wall view from window) • Cost-effective: Duan Family Courtyard (hot spring guesthouse, about 200 yuan per person)

🌃Gubei Water Town | A Water Village Night Feast under the Great Wall, a Must-Visit in Beijing Suburbs✨ Who gets it! You can also get the same romantic vibe as the Jiangnan water towns right in Beijing💦 Just got back from Gubei Water Town and stayed up late to organize this nanny-level guide—just bring your family or partner and go! 🌌Nighttime is legendary! An immersive light and shadow feast The night scene is a must when visiting the water town! When the lights come on, the whole town instantly turns into a dreamy barrier🎇 The riverside corridors and bridges are bathed in warm yellow lights, reflecting on the shimmering water, like stepping into the bathhouse town from "Spirited Away"～ The grand finale water dance show is a knockout💥 Fountains move rhythmically to music, with interwoven lights and shadows that are super stunning, the atmosphere maxes out, and your phone will get hot from filming📸 🌿Floral water town, a healing stroll Daytime visits are also amazing! Stone paths, black-awning boats, scattered lush plants and flowers🌺 Although there’s no vast sea of flowers, the floral scenes everywhere perfectly capture the Jiangnan charm～ Leisurely wandering the streets, you’ll stumble upon handmade shops and riverside tea houses, every snap looks like an artsy masterpiece, full of healing vibes🍃 🚗Transportation and parking: worry-free max Self-driving fans rejoice! The water town parking lot is super spacious, no parking worries🅿️ For those who don’t want to drive, there are direct shuttles from the city, one click and you’re there—super convenient~ 🏨Stay overnight for the true experience Highly recommend staying in the hotels inside the scenic area! Open your window to water views, sleep by the river🌙 No need to rush back after night tours, and in the early morning you can enjoy the empty water alleys alone, watch boatmen rowing, listen to birds and insects—this is the right way to experience a water town～ When tired, enjoy local water town cuisine like the roast meat restaurant and Sima small distillery… authentic and satisfying🍢 🌟Hidden gem: Climb Simatai Great Wall If you have time, you must visit Simatai Great Wall! Climb to the top early morning or at dusk to overlook the entire water town and the majestic Great Wall, where history and poetry blend, breathtakingly stunning🌄 (For the energetic, hike the whole way; for the lazy, take the cable car—both are amazing!) Having been to Xitang and Zhouzhuang, I want to say Gubei Water Town has fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and great convenience—truly a treasure in the Beijing suburbs💎 Whether bringing parents to experience the water town or escaping romantically with your partner, it fits perfectly～ Promise me, don’t miss this “Jiangnan under the Great Wall” this summer🌿

Recently, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism held the "Strolling Beijing · Chasing Light Night Tour" city exploration event. During the exploration, relevant officials from the bureau released 10 themed travel routes under "Strolling Beijing — Chasing Light Night Tour," covering popular spots such as light and shadow check-in locations, nighttime cultural markets, and themed night tour activities. These provide tourists with a rich variety of nighttime entertainment options, showcasing the unique charm and modern vitality of this ancient capital. 1. "Night Central Axis": The Central Axis is a landmark architectural complex in Beijing. From Zhengyangmen Arrow Tower to the Qianmen old shops, visitors can feel the historical heritage of the ancient capital and traditional commercial culture. Under the night lights, it gives a sense of traveling through time. 2. "Night Great Wall": The Badaling Great Wall is a World Cultural Heritage site. At night, riding a double-decker sightseeing bus and gazing 360 degrees at the starry sky, climbing the Great Wall to feel the weight of history and the grandeur of nature is a unique experience. 3. "Night Changxindian": Changxindian has a long history. The combination of the Hanfu competition and the Guochao (Chinese trendy culture) street area allows visitors to experience traditional culture while also feeling modern fashion elements. 4. "Night Bus": A 40-kilometer route weaving through various corners of the city, allowing tourists to feel Beijing’s historical pulse and the changes of the times while on the move. It is a very modern way to tour at night. 5. "Night Olympic Park": The Olympic Forest Park and the Bird’s Nest are symbols of modern sports culture. The combination of nighttime greenery and concert excitement showcases Beijing’s vitality and passion. 6. "Night Wukesong": Wukesong is one of Beijing’s fashion landmarks. The combination of concerts and night hiking in Xishan National Forest Park lets visitors enjoy music while experiencing the fun of outdoor sports. 7. "Night Liangma River": Liangma River is a fashionable leisure area in Beijing. Starting from the trendy shops in Sanlitun, taking a boat through a light and shadow painting scroll, visitors can feel the perfect fusion of nature and culture. 8. "Night Grand Canal": The Grand Canal was an important ancient waterway. At night, boating allows enjoyment of the Nanmen hotpot boat feast and strolling through the Moon River Art Town, experiencing the lively atmosphere blending ancient and modern life. 9. "Night Gubei Water Town": Gubei Water Town is a popular tourist spot in Beijing. Rowing boats pass through light and shadow waterways, and night climbing of Simatai Great Wall lets visitors feel the unique charm of Gubei Water Town in the fusion of nature and culture. 10. "Night Western Beijing": Shougang Park represents Beijing’s industrial heritage. At night, experiencing the hardcore space where industrial heritage and technology merge is a unique experience. These routes not only provide tourists with a rich variety of night tour options but also inject new vitality into Beijing’s nighttime economy development, which is expected to attract more visitors to come and experience.

🌟 1. Overview and Highlights of Gubei Water Town 1. Location and Transportation Convenience - Location: About 120 kilometers from downtown Beijing, near Simatai Great Wall. - Transportation: - Self-driving: Navigate to "Gubei Water Town Visitor Center." - Public Transport: Take the "Mi 33" bus directly from Dongzhimen, or take the 980 express bus to Miyun Drum Tower Station and transfer. 2. Style Features - A blend of northern water town scenery and Jiangnan garden charm, nestled by mountains and water, simple and elegant. - Multiple ancient residences, opera houses, academies, and ancestral halls showcasing Ming and Qing architectural styles. 3. Main Attractions - Simatai Great Wall (open at night): Hike the Great Wall, overlook the night view, and experience the fusion of history and nature. - Tanghe Ancient Village: Experience hot springs and folk culture. - Wangjing Tower: One of the best spots for night views. - Starry Sky Library: Quiet at night, perfect for reading and photography. - Handicraft Workshop Area: Experience traditional crafts like tie-dye, brewing, and paper cutting. 🌙 2. Night Tour Recommendations (Key!) 1. Opening Hours and Night Tour Time - Opening hours: Usually 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, night tours recommended after 5:00 PM. - Lighting: Lights turn on around 6:00 PM, with the best lighting around 8:00 PM. 2. Must-See Night Highlights - Great Wall Light Show: Simatai Great Wall is illuminated at night, resembling a giant dragon coiled on the mountain peak, breathtaking. - Drone Show (on holidays): Aerial formations with music, highly technological and visually striking. - Water Dance Show: Water curtain light show at Wangjing Square telling the history of Gubei Water Town, performed nightly at set times. - Wupeng Boat Night Tour: Ride a Wupeng boat along Tanghe River, with picturesque reflections of lights on both banks, ideal for couples or families. - Starry Sky Camping Area: Some areas offer night camping services, perfect for stargazing, listening to the wind, and moon appreciation. 3. Food Recommendations (Must-eat during night tours!) - Old Street at the Foot of the Great Wall: Authentic Beijing snacks like zhajiangmian (fried sauce noodles), candied hawthorn, and donkey rolling. - Tanghe Fish Feast: Specialty dishes featuring local freshwater fish. - Starry Sky Bar: Enjoy a drink at night with a full atmosphere. - Great Wall Bookstore Café: Full of literary charm, great for photos and check-ins. 🎒 3. Travel Tips and Suggestions 1. Clothing Suggestions - Large temperature difference at night, bring a jacket or shawl. - Wear comfortable shoes; the town mainly has stone slab roads and involves a lot of walking. 2. Best Seasons to Visit - Autumn (September-October): Pleasant weather, autumn leaves and lights complement each other. - Winter (December-January): Ice and snow light festival, especially romantic. - Holidays: Such as Spring Festival, May Day, and National Day, with grander night lighting but larger crowds. 3. Accommodation Recommendations - Hotels inside Gubei Water Town: Such as Water Town Hotel, Yaojian Great Wall Homestay, convenient for night tours and next-day activities. - Nearby Homestays: Relatively cheaper but require advance booking. - Hot Spring Hotels: Suitable for family trips, such as Tanghe Ancient Village Hot Spring. 📸 4. Photography and Check-in Suggestions 1. Must-Photograph Locations - Wangjing Tower Viewing Platform: Best spot for panoramic shots of the water town. - Simatai Great Wall Night View: Perfect combination of lights and starry sky. - Both Sides of Tanghe River: Wupeng boats, lanterns, reflections, very Jiangnan night scenery. - Starry Sky Library: Soft lighting at night, ideal for quiet photos. 2. Photography Tips - Recommend using a tripod for long exposure to capture lighting effects. - Night mode on smartphones can also produce good results. - Wearing Hanfu or ancient-style clothing makes photos more striking.

#chinatravel #TheGreatWall The Simatai section of the Great Wall in Beijing is known for its steep climbs, original features, and breathtaking views. Unlike more restored parts of the wall, Simatai keeps much of its authentic structure, giving visitors a true sense of its ancient past. Stretching across rugged hills, it offers a mix of challenging hikes and peaceful scenery. Whether you’re there for history, photography, or adventure, Simatai delivers an unforgettable Great Wall experience.

Nestled at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, *Gubei Water Town* is a breathtaking fusion of ancient Chinese architecture and tranquil waterway beauty. Just two hours from Beijing, this picturesque town transports you back in time with its cobblestone alleys, traditional courtyard homes, and lantern-lit streets that glow at night. Whether you're strolling along the canals, soaking in the open-air hot springs, or enjoying the majestic views of the Great Wall illuminated at dusk, Gubei offers a peaceful escape from city life. With boutique hotels, cultural performances, and local delicacies, it's the perfect weekend getaway for those seeking both relaxation and history.#chinatravel

As night falls, I climb up to the hilltop church once more, gazing at the dazzling lights of the town below. I had hoped to wait for the 7:30 drone show, but the bitter wind cuts deep, sending shivers down my spine. I’m glad I didn’t venture up Simatai Great Wall for the night view—the higher altitude would have made the cold unbearable. Yet, the scenery here is enchanting enough, a sight that truly captivates the soul. #chinatravel#travel #couplestrip #thingstodo #myitinerary #china

#chinatravel Beijing W Town charms with its blend of ancient beauty and modern flair. Stroll through brick layered buildings, glide along peaceful canals, and snap pics on rustic stone bridges with mountain views under the Simatai Great Wall. The traditional architecture and cozy ambiance make it feel like stepping into a storybook, just outside Beijing but worlds away in vibe. #beijingwtown