Ancient Town Autumn Private Hot Spring Ceiling

📍Gubei Water Town | Fourth Visit to Northern Jiangnan! Sleep by the water at the foot of the Great Wall, private hot springs warm the autumn night

“If I had known about Gubei, why go to Jiangnan?”

This “Northern Wuzhen” hidden deep in the Yanshan Mountains blends the elegance of Jiangnan with the grandeur of the Great Wall through blue bricks, gray tiles, and flowing water. Every time I visit Gubei Water Town, there’s a new surprise!

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🌿 Must-Check Experience List

1️⃣ Simatai Great Wall Night Tour

Climb the Great Wall by day and enjoy the autumn colors of the Yanshan Mountains; at dusk, carry a lantern for a night tour and watch the drone Kongming lantern show light up the sky. Over 1,000 “star lights” drift above the Great Wall, dreamlike and magical.

⚠️ Night tour tickets must be booked in advance; it’s recommended to reach the summit by 6:30 PM to secure a spot!

2️⃣ Rowboat Ride to Enjoy Autumn Scenery

The Tang River sparkles in autumn, with maple leaves just starting to turn on both banks. Riding a rowboat through the water alleys feels like stepping into an ink painting. The boatman gently rows, the oar sounds echo, and time slows down.

3️⃣ Private Hot Springs to Relieve Autumn Fatigue

Stay in the Duan Family Courtyard’s siheyuan, open the wooden window to see the Great Wall’s outline, soak in the private hot springs while watching autumn leaves fall on the water’s surface. Warmth spreads from your fingertips to your heart. On a cooling autumn night, this hot spring cures all fatigue.

📸 Autumn Photo Guide

▪️ Mountain Top Church Viewing Platform: Overlook the entire water town, where red leaves and gray tiles intertwine. The sunset light and shadows are stunning.

▪️ Small Bridge Next to the Yue Lao Shrine: Flowing water reflects red leaves. Wearing Hanfu and capturing reflections creates a great atmosphere.

▪️ Simatai Great Wall Battlement: Use the ruined Great Wall as a backdrop to shoot silhouettes or panoramic views of the beacon towers, full of historical feeling.

🏨 Accommodation Recommendations

✅ Wuzhen Hui Hotel: Third visit and still love it! Jiangnan courtyard with blue tiles and white walls, rooms with windows facing the water, bedding so comfortable you’ll want to take it home.

✅ Duan Family Courtyard: Gubei’s “top” siheyuan! Private hot springs + floor heating, soak under the stars on autumn nights, the ultimate northern winter romance.

⚠️ Accommodation is tight during peak season; booking 1 month in advance is recommended!

🚗 Transportation Tips

▪️ Self-drive: About 2 hours from downtown Beijing, navigate to “Gubei Water Town Parking Lot No. 2,” parking fee 10 RMB/day.

▪️ Direct Shuttle: Take the Gubei Water Town shuttle from Dongzhimen Transport Hub, 48 RMB/person, 2 hours direct (tickets must be booked in advance).

▪️ Avoid: Electric carts inside the scenic area cost 10 RMB one way; walking is freer—wear comfortable shoes!

🍂 Autumn Flower Viewing Update

▫️ Mid to late October sees the first red leaves; November is the best viewing period, with green and orange-red interwoven, creating strong layers.

▫️ Recommended route: Yongshun Dyeing Workshop → Yue Lao Shrine → Mountain Top Church → Simatai Great Wall, capturing autumn colors all along the way.

💭 Honest Thoughts on Visiting Gubei Four Times

This is not a replica of Jiangnan, but a unique northern romance—

By day, it’s small bridges and flowing water at the foot of the Great Wall; by night, it’s a gentle water town lit by flickering lights.

Bring your parents, and they’ll love the slow time on the rowboat;

Bring your kids, and the drone show and hot springs will let them have a blast;

Bring your lover, and private hot springs + Great Wall night views will max out the romance.

Autumn in “Northern Jiangnan” is half the grandeur of mountains and rivers, half the gentleness of a water town.

This autumn, you must visit Gubei Water Town at least once!

👉 Click to locate and check real-time crowd levels for a better off-peak experience!