Gubei Water Town, nestled against the Simatai Great Wall, is an ancient village that integrates mountains, water, and cityscape. Covering an area of approximately 9 square kilometers, the town features 430,000 square meters of traditional Ming and Qing dynasty-style courtyard buildings. Historically renowned for its strategic military significance, Gubeikou has attracted numerous scholars and poets, including Su Che, Liu Chang, and Nalan Xingde, and has been praised by emperors Kangxi and Qianlong.
Today, Gubei Water Town leverages the historical and cultural heritage of the Simatai Great Wall to offer a well-planned holiday area divided into “Six Districts and Three Valleys.” The six districts are: Old Camp Area, Republic of China Street Area, Water Street Style Area, Wolong Fortress Folk Culture Area, Tanghe Ancient Village Area, and the Accommodation and Dining Area. The three valleys are: Houchuan Zen Valley, Eden Valley, and Cloud Peak Green Valley.
Throughout the year, Gubei Water Town hosts various seasonal events: a flower festival and wind chime cottages in spring; a night market in summer; a red leaf festival in autumn; and ice and snow-themed activities in winter. Visitors can also enjoy traditional cultural entertainment such as dry boat races, stilts walking, horse riding, sedan chair rides, and bonfires, immersing themselves in the local rural charm.
As a comprehensive and distinctive tourist resort, Gubei Water Town combines sightseeing, leisure vacations, business exhibitions, and creative cultural experiences. It boasts top-notch services and facilities, offering high levels of engagement and experience.
Travel Information about Gubei Water Town
Ticket and Opening Hours
- Admission: ¥140. Sightseeing bus ¥10, full-length boat ride ¥120, Simatai Great Wall ¥40.
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM.
Getting to the Scenic Area
- By Bus: Take Bus 980 from Dongzhimen to Mìyún Xīdàqiáo, then transfer to Bus M51 and get off at Gubei Water Town.
- By Car: Drive along the Jingcheng Expressway, exit at the Simatai Great Wall exit from the Laowaiqiao interchange, turn right onto Bìdào, drive 500 meters, turn right, drive 70 meters, then turn left onto Mǎběi Road. Continue 1.9 kilometers, then turn right and drive 20 meters to reach Gubei Water Town.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural: ★★★
- Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Scenic Beauty: ★★★★
- Romantic: ★★★★
- Excitement: ★★
Highlights of Gubei Water Town
Simatai Great Wall
The Simatai Great Wall stretches approximately 5.7 kilometers and is renowned for its ingenious design, innovative structure, and varied forms, making it a highlight of the Great Wall. Professor Luo Zhewen, a noted Great Wall expert, praised Simatai Great Wall by saying, “The Great Wall of China is the greatest in the world, and Simatai is the finest among the Great Wall sections in China.”
The Simatai section of the Great Wall is famous for its perilous, dense, unique, clever, and complete features:
- Perilous: The Wall is built on razor-sharp mountain ridges, presenting a dramatic and dangerous landscape.
- Dense: The distance between enemy towers varies, with some as close as several dozen meters and others up to 300 meters apart, averaging just 140 meters.
- Unique: Simatai Great Wall is known for its steep and magnificent terrain. Below the Wall lies Yuanyang Lake, where cold and hot springs merge, creating a picturesque scene of lake and mountain beauty.
- Clever: The Wall features defensive structures designed to be both offensive and protective, with a sophisticated system of battlements.
- Complete: The architectural styles of the watchtowers and enemy towers are diverse and unique.
Simatai Great Wall is celebrated for its strategic and aesthetic qualities, making it a remarkable part of the Great Wall of China.
Related Details:
- Compared to other Great Wall sites in the Beijing area, Simatai Great Wall is particularly steep and rugged. To preserve its original appearance, it lacks extensive safety rails and other facilities, so visitors should be cautious while climbing. If you encounter difficulties, you can call 010-69031051 for assistance from the scenic area staff.
- In the vicinity of the scenic area, you may come across local “wild guides” who claim they can lead you for free or take you to more primitive sections of the “wild Great Wall.” For safety reasons, it is advised to refuse such offers.
- Simatai Great Wall was originally constructed during the early Ming Hongwu period and later reinforced by Qi Jiguang, the General of Jizhen, and Governor Tan Lun. The entire section of the Great Wall at Simatai is renowned for its intricate design, unique construction, and varied forms. It incorporates many distinctive features of the Great Wall, creating a “wondrous Great Wall.”
Here, the Wall features not only the common “wall type” but also the “half-wall type” adapted to the steep cliffs. It includes both gentle slopes with extended horse paths and steep inclines with “heavenly stairs” composed of large steps. The hollow enemy towers come in various forms, astonishing architectural historians. The watchtowers on the enemy towers themselves vary greatly, with designs including one-room, three-room, three-room with front and rear corridors, and three-room with surrounding corridors. Roof styles range from Xieshan (upturned eaves), Xuan (hanging), Yingshan (hard), rolled canopy, to double-eaved hanging styles. The variety and complexity of the Wall and enemy towers over a short distance are extremely rare among the thousands of miles of the Great Wall.
Wangjing Tower Water Dance Show
Wangjing Tower stands majestically on a steep peak at an elevation of 1,000 meters, offering stunning views. The Wangjing Tower Water Dance Show is located in the middle section of Wangjing Street in Gubei Water Town, in front of Wangjing Tower. This spectacular show is a collaborative creation by Beijing Zhongke Water Scenery Technology Co., Ltd., one of the top water dance companies in China, and a creative team that has previously worked on Olympic dance choreography. The show features the latest “virtual reality” water dance control system, perfectly synchronizing the water dance movements with the rhythm of the music. Under the starlit night sky, accompanied by melodious music and backed by the rugged Great Wall, this enchanting display of water’s softness, beauty, and magic is an essential highlight of the night tour in Gubei Water Town.
Yuantong Tower
Yuantong Tower is situated on the mountaintop next to “Main Road One” in Gubei Water Town. The Yuantong Temple complex consists of two main parts: the Guanyin Temple and Yuantong Tower. The Guanyin Temple includes several halls such as the Mountain Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Great Master Hall, and Vairocana Buddha Hall. Yuantong Tower itself is octagonal in shape, standing seven stories tall with two underground levels. Visitors can participate in various activities such as vegetarian meals, copying Buddhist scriptures, and tasting Buddhist tea, providing a scenic and immersive experience for those seeking meditation and tranquility.
Yinghua Academy
Yinghua Academy is located near the central area of the scenic spot on Linggong Street and is divided into an East Courtyard and a West Courtyard. The East Courtyard features a two-entry layout with a water pavilion and covered corridors, offering an elegant environment surrounded by blooming lotus flowers and a fragrant atmosphere. The West Courtyard, with its three-entry layout, houses the Wenchang Pavilion, which enshrines the deity Wen Chang Dijun. According to legend, Wen Chang Dijun is the god of literature and official titles.
Yongshun Dyeing Workshop
Founded in 1900 by Zhang Jukui, Yongshun Dyeing Workshop began with its founder learning dyeing techniques in his hometown, including the preparation of traditional indigo dyes. Zhang Jukui later opened his own shop to provide dyeing services for local residents. Upon entering the workshop, visitors first encounter the fabric drying area, where dyed cloth is hung to dry, marking the final stage of the dyeing process. Inside, visitors can gain insight into the fundamentals and procedures of Chinese dyeing and printing industry.
Zhenyuan Escort Agency
During the 14th and 15th centuries, as the Great Wall was continually repaired and strengthened, Gubeikou became a vital logistics route connecting Beijing with northern and northeastern regions, leading to the establishment of escort agencies.
Named after its chief escort, Zhang Zhenyuan, Zhenyuan Escort Agency is located in Gubei Water Town and features six courtyards. The agency includes an exhibition on escort agency culture and areas where escorts lived and practiced martial arts. It vividly recreates the life and deeds of the historical escort Zhang Zhenyuan, depicting scenes of escort assignments, negotiations, and daily life of the escorts. The agency also offers various interactive experiences for visitors.
Visitor Guide for Gubei Water Town
Unique Experiences at Gubei Water Town
- Night Tour of the Great Wall: Walking with a lantern on the Great Wall offers a unique and nostalgic experience. From the summit of Simatai Great Wall, you can overlook the illuminated town below. The majestic Simatai Wall stretches along the mountain peaks, its golden lights reflecting off the ancient bricks like a golden dragon.
- Night Boat Ride: The daytime sparkle of the water transforms into a different charm by night. With lights and stars shimmering in harmony, a boat ride with a gentle breeze and floral scents offers a serene experience, revealing the riverside views in a new light.
- Night Market: As the town lights up, the night market comes alive with vibrant energy. The square is bustling with vendors, delicious food aromas, and traditional performances, creating a festive atmosphere that makes the town feel like an endless celebration under the Great Wall.
- Hot Springs: Gubei Water Town is blessed with rich geothermal resources, sourced from 3376 meters deep beneath the south slope of Simatai Great Wall. Enjoy the soothing warmth of the hot springs in outdoor pools or serene indoor baths with floor-to-ceiling windows. While soaking, you can take in the grandeur of the Great Wall and the scenic beauty of the water town, indulging in nature’s tranquility. The variety of temperatures and styles in the hot springs will fulfill all your winter relaxation dreams.
Accommodation
Gubei Water Town is well-equipped with a range of amenities including banks, post offices, and bookstores. It boasts the largest and most well-equipped tourist service center in China, along with star-rated hotels, boutique hotels, and unique Northern-style guesthouses.
- Gubei Light Hot Spring Resort Hotel (Gubei Water Town Tourism Resort Area): Located in the heart of the scenic area, this hotel features a Great Wall theme with “wall decoration” design elements, offering a distinctive experience.
- Great Wall Book House Theme Hotel (Gubei Water Town Wolong Fortress Folk Culture Area): Adjacent to Yinghua Academy and Sun and Moon Island Square, this hotel resembles a castle from a distance. It features typical wooden architecture with a solemn, retro, and minimalist interior, highlighting a poetic and traditional atmosphere centered around books.
Hotels in the old town are all creatively designed, providing various options for guests to choose from based on their preferences.
Dining
In Gubei Water Town, you can immerse yourself in the local customs and culture right at the foot of the Great Wall. Stay in traditional courtyards and explore the bustling Northern commercial streets. There, you can savor authentic Northern cuisine and snacks, including specialties from barbecue restaurants and other local eateries.