Hidden gem near Beijing! Gubei Water Town 3-day 2-night guide, enjoy a Jiangnan vibe for just 500 RMB per person

Gubei Water Town is known as the "Little Wuzhen" hidden in the north. Compared to the bustling water towns of Jiangnan, here the grandeur of the Great Wall blends with the gentle flowing water. You can climb up to the beacon towers and also enjoy a night tour listening to the sound of oars, making it the top choice for short trips around Beijing.

Recommended itinerary

- Day 1: Great Wall Scenic Route
Simatai Great Wall — Great Wall Cableway — Mountain Top Café — Yongshun Dyeing Workshop — Kite Culture Museum
- Day 2: Water Town Life Route
Sun Moon Island Square — Yuantong Pagoda Temple — Zhenyuan Escort Agency — Eight Banners Guild Hall — Wuzhen Boutique Hotel (afternoon tea)
- Day 3: Leisure Experience Route
Early morning rowboat ride — Gubei Roast Duck Restaurant (breakfast) — Shadow Puppet Theater — Sima Small Distillery — Return trip

Must-visit attractions

- Simatai Great Wall: The only wild Great Wall section preserving the original Ming Dynasty appearance, with a more weathered feel than Badaling. It’s recommended to buy the “Great Wall + Water Town” combo ticket. Take the cableway up in the evening to avoid the midday sun and catch the sunset at the top. In the dusk, the Great Wall looks like a golden dragon, perfect for stunning photos.
- Yongshun Dyeing Workshop: A signature photo spot in the water town, the courtyard is filled with blue and white batik cloths hanging, flowing like clouds in the wind. You can try tie-dyeing yourself and take home the small handkerchief you make, offering great value.
- Rowboat Night Tour: A rare “water view of the town” experience in the north! Recommended to start from Sun Moon Island Pier, passing Mandarin Duck Lake and Wangjing Tower. The lights reflect on stone bridges and red lanterns, and the boatman occasionally hums a tune, making you feel like you’re in Jiangnan.
- Yuantong Pagoda Temple: A quiet spot deep in the water town. Climb the pagoda to overlook the entire town, with white walls and gray tiles spreading along the waterways, and the Great Wall stretching in the distance. It’s the best spot for panoramic photos.
- Sima Small Distillery: You can see the entire traditional brewing process. The distillery smells of fermented grains, and free tastings of rice wine are available at the entrance. The alcohol content is low, so even women can enjoy a sip or two.

Travel Tips

- Save 1 hour by choosing the right transport: From the city, it’s recommended to take the “Gubei Water Town Tourist Shuttle” bus, departing from Dongzhimen Station directly to the scenic area every 15 minutes, which is more convenient than driving and searching for parking. If driving, parking costs 10 RMB/hour, but hotel guests can get partial parking fee waivers.
- Avoid pitfalls: Simatai Great Wall offers “full hike” and “cableway up and down” options. If your stamina is average, choose the latter. The full hike takes 3 hours and some sections are steep. For the night tour, it’s best to go after 7 PM when all the lights are on and the atmosphere is at its peak, avoiding the 6 PM crowd rush.
- Hidden activities: Every Saturday night there is a drone show and fireworks display, best viewed from Sun Moon Island Square. To take photos of the dyeing workshop without crowds, arrive before 8 AM or after 5 PM to avoid tour groups.

Practical Information

- Tickets: Water Town single ticket 140 RMB, Water Town + Simatai Great Wall combo ticket 190 RMB, Great Wall cableway one-way 90 RMB, round-trip 160 RMB.
- Accommodation: Prioritize hotels inside the scenic area, such as “Gubei Light Hot Spring Hotel” (includes hot spring ticket) or “Simatai Great Wall Boutique Hotel” (very close to the Great Wall). Hotel guests can enter and exit the scenic area multiple times and ride the free shuttle bus.
- Food:
- Gubei Roast Duck Restaurant: Better value than old city brands, crispy duck skin, with a slice of hawthorn added to the wrap to cut the greasiness, about 80 RMB per person to eat until full.
- Roast Meat Restaurant: Must-try signature roast meat, with alternating fat and lean layers wrapped in sweet bean sauce, paired with freshly baked small pancakes, extremely satisfying with every bite.
- Qiaotou Cake: A roadside treasure snack, 5 RMB each, crispy on the outside with red bean paste filling inside, best eaten hot when the filling is molten.