Gubei Water Town: A tour of the hot spring starry sky town at the foot of the Great Wall

The cornerstone of history - the thousand-year-old border fortress Gubeikou
The name "Gubei" comes from the town of Gubeikou, where it is located. Since ancient times, it has been the throat of the Central Plains to the Northeast and the Mongolian Plateau, and has always been a battleground for soldiers, known as the "key to the capital". From the Great Wall of the Northern Qi Dynasty to the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, the beacon tower and the city of Guancheng stretch here. In particular, the Simatai Great Wall, which is backed by it, is known for its "danger, secret, strange, ingenious and complete" and has been recognized by UNESCO as the "Primordial Great Wall". This heavy military border defense history and Great Wall culture have laid a unique cultural cornerstone for the birth of Water Town.

Contemporary reshaping - creating a town-building legend out of nothing
The modern story of Gubei Water Town is a creative plan based on profound historical insights:
Inspiration traceability (before 2006): Although there is a Great Wall in the Gubeikou area, there is a lack of tourism service facilities and the village is hollowed. The developers keenly captured the market gap of "Great Wall sightseeing + in-depth leisure vacation" and learned from Wuzhen's successful model.
Planning and Creation (2006-2014): Based on the original three natural villages under the Simatai Great Wall, the overall planning and redesign were carried out. Not only did it restore the northern-style courtyards of the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China, but also creatively introduced the hot spring water system, created the scene of small bridges and flowing water, and laid out a large number of intangible cultural heritage experiences and boutique hotels.
Stunning appearance (2014-present): Officially put into operation in 2014, it quickly became a phenomenal product of Beijing suburban tourism. It combines the cold ancient Great Wall with warm hot springs, quiet water towns and bright modern light shows, successfully shaping the unique IP of "Starry Sky Town under the Great Wall" and becoming a model for the modern development of traditional resources.

> In-Depth Understanding: Explore More Rebirth of China's Ancient Towns >> [Wuzhen] 

Natural creation - a magnificent picture of majestic mountains and beautiful waters
The charm of Gubei Water Town first stems from its unique natural environment.

The steepness of the Simatai Great Wall: As the soul background of the water town, the Simatai Great Wall itself is a great "work of art that combines nature and artificiality". Its city walls are built according to the steep mountain terrain and are famous for their strangeness, special and danger. The Yuanyang Lake Reservoir divides the Great Wall into two, forming a unique landscape of "Great Wall Playing in the Water". Climbing on it, the view is extremely wide, and the mountains and rivers are in full view, especially when the sea of clouds appears, it is like a fairyland.
The beauty of Yuanyang Lake Reservoir: a pool of clear water surrounds the ancient town, giving the northern town a rare agility. The lake water comes from the Tang River and the water quality is clear. Tourists can take a rowboat on the lake and look up at the Great Wall and the town from the water, with a unique perspective and a long artistic conception. In winter, the lake freezes and becomes a natural ice and snow paradise.
The warmth of Tanghe Ancient Village: "The spring of the earth" is another great gift of Gubei Water Town. The iron hot springs originating from 3,376 meters underground give this northern town a hot spring bathing experience suitable for all seasons. Soaking in hot springs at the foot of the Great Wall and under the starry sky, the blend of ice and fire is the ultimate enjoyment that is hard to find anywhere else.

Humanistic ingenuity - the aesthetics of northern life reproduced and created
Every brick and tile, street and alley here embody the ingenuity of the builders.

Ming and Qing style northern courtyard complex: The overall architectural style of the water town draws on the characteristics of old Beijing and the northern Ming and Qing dynasties, with blue bricks and gray tiles, brick carved gatehouses, and high walls, which look simple and tough. The layout of the streets and alleys is built according to the water, but it is different from the grace of Jiangnan, showing the atmosphere and regularity of the north.
Yongshun Dyeing Workshop and Sima Xiao Soju Workshop: These are representatives of revitalizing intangible cultural heritage. In the Yongshun dyeing workshop, colorful calico is hung on the high drying rack, dancing in the wind, which is an excellent backdrop for photography, and tourists can also experience tie-dyeing. Sima Xiao Soju Workshop can learn about the ancient winemaking process and taste authentic soju.
Eight Banners Hall and Zhenyuan Dart Bureau: These venues carry the historical and cultural memory of the Gubeikou area. The Eight Banners Hall showcases the Manchu Eight Banners culture, while the Zhenyuan Dart Bureau recreates the life scenes of ancient dart masters, adding to the historical immersion of the tour.
Peak Church and Anglo-Chinese College: The Peak Church is one of the commanding heights of the water town, with a combination of Chinese and Western styles, overlooking the whole town, and is a great place to watch the starry sky and drone shows at night. Anglo-Chinese College provides a place for quiet reading.

Photography tips:
> The best panoramic camera is on the Peak Church or Simatai Great Wall, where you can take panoramic views of the water town and the winding Great Wall.
> The drying field of Yongshun Dyeing Workshop uses flower cloth as the foreground or background, which can shoot rich humanistic blockbusters.
> The Wangjing Street Water Dance Show at night and the drone Kong Ming Lantern Show in Riyue Island Square are the focus of filming light and shadow fantasy scenes.
> The rowing boat can take close-ups of characters with small bridges, flowing water, and the Great Wall as the background, which is full of artistic conception.

Top 5 must-do things to unlock a complete town journey
1. Climb the Great Wall at night and look up at the starry sky
    Core: This is a unique experience in Gubei Water Town! Take a ropeway night tour of the Simatai Great Wall, led by a professional guide, walk on the quiet city wall with a lantern, overlook the brightly lit water town under your feet, and look up at the boundless Milky Way.
    Tips: Reservations are required in advance for night tours of the Great Wall, and they are greatly affected by the weather.
2. Go to a night banquet of light, shadow and technology
    The key: the night view is the essence! The musical water dance show on Wangjing Street combines lights, fountains, flames and music; The drone Kongming lantern show in Sun Moon Island Square, hundreds of drones transform into various patterns, which is romantic and shocking.
3. Soak in a pool of hot springs at the foot of the Great Wall
    Experience: Choose a hot spring hotel or public hot spring house (such as the hot spring house on the city), and after climbing the Great Wall, let the warm spring water wash away your fatigue, watch the starry sky or snow, and enjoy the ultimate relaxation.
4. Rock the oar boat once and pass through the streets and alleys of the ancient town
    Route: Depart from Yangui Wharf, take a boat tour along the waterway, cross stone bridges, enjoy the streetscapes and buildings on both sides of the river, and feel the different style of "Venice in the North", especially when the lights are on.
5. Experience a traditional intangible cultural heritage craft
    Interaction: Tie a kite by yourself at the Kite Culture Center, draw a lantern in the lantern shop, or watch an old play in the shadow puppet theater. These in-depth cultural experiences make travel more than just sightseeing.

Suggested tour routes
One-day "Highlights Quick View" tour (suitable for those who are short on time):
Morning: Enter from the Tourist Service Center upon arrival and walk to "Sima Xiao Yao" and "Yongshun Dyeing Workshop" to visit the experience → Stroll along Tangshi Street and taste snacks.
Afternoon: Visit the "Eight Banners Hall" or "Zhenyuan Dart Bureau" → Take the ropeway up the Simatai Great Wall (day tour) to feel its steepness (about 2 hours)→ After descending the Great Wall, rest at the mountaintop café and wait for the sunset.
Evening: After descending the mountain, go to "Sun Moon Island Square" for dinner and watch the drone Kong Ming Lantern Show → Go to "Wangjing Street" to watch the music water dance show → end the trip.
IntoTravelChina Tips: This itinerary is tight, and the time of each performance needs to be arranged reasonably. It is recommended to book a night tour of the Great Wall (if open) in advance or choose a day tour.

Two-day "Deep Roaming" tour (highly recommended):
Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon and stay in a boutique hotel (such as Water Town Hotel, Hangu Villa, etc.) → Relax through the streets and alleys of the ancient town and experience one or two intangible cultural heritage handicrafts (such as painting lanterns and making kites) → Choose a hot spring house or the hotel's own hot spring bath to relax → Enjoy dinner at a special restaurant in the ancient town (such as a barbecue restaurant→ Watch the water dance show and drone show to enjoy the night of the water town.
Day 2: Get up early in the morning, enjoy the quiet ancient town with no one around, take pictures of the morning view → After breakfast, visit cultural attractions such as Yinghua Academy and Yang Wudi Temple → Take a rowing boat and raft on the Tang River → After lunch, you can choose to climb the Great Wall again or buy specialties according to your physical strength, and return with full memories in the afternoon.
IntoTravelChina Advantages: We can book you the most distinctive accommodation in the scenic spot, package tickets and hot spring experiences, accurately plan performance times, and provide personalized intangible cultural heritage experience reservations to make your vacation journey calm and in-depth.

> Professional guides: IntoTravelChina can provide you with a private customized itinerary, including an exclusive guide, transportation and activity arrangements, so that you can have a worry-free trip. >> [Consult Customization Now]

How to Get There: A Seamless Guide
Gubei Water Town is located in the northeast of Beijing, and self-driving is the most convenient way.
Self-driving (most recommended): Navigate "Gubei Water Town", start from downtown Beijing (such as Sanyuan Bridge), pass through the Beijing-Chengdu Expressway (G45), get off the highway at the exit of the Simatai Great Wall, and drive along the road signs for about 2 minutes. The whole journey takes about 1.5-2 hours. Travel tip: The parking lot of the scenic spot has sufficient parking spaces and is charged per time.
Through train: There is a direct bus "Gubei Water Town Special Line" at Dongzhimenwai bus station, which takes about 2 hours, but the frequency is fixed, so you need to check the timetable in advance.
Railway + connection: You can take the high-speed rail to Miyun Station, take a taxi after leaving the station (about 30 minutes), but the high-speed rail frequency is small.

Important return reminder: If you do not drive, be sure to plan the return traffic in advance, especially the last train time of the through train.

Best time to visit
Gubei Water Town has its own style in all seasons, but autumn (late September to early November) is the golden season with high skies and the richest colors.
Autumn Golden Season: The weather is pleasant, the forests are dyed, and the Great Wall and ancient town are particularly magnificent against the backdrop of colorful mountains and forests, making it the best season for photography and outdoor activities.
Winter ice and snow season (December-February): You can experience the Great Wall Ice and Snow Festival, soak in hot springs and enjoy the snowy scenery, which has a unique flavor. The festive atmosphere is strong during Christmas and New Year's Day.
Spring (March-May): Everything recovers, spring flowers are blooming, but there is occasional wind and sand.
Summer (June-August): Full of greenery, you can play in the water to escape the heat, but it is also the rainy season and the peak of summer, and there are many tourists.

Accommodation options
In the scenic area (preferred, best experience):
    1. Boutique hotels (such as Hangu Villa, Wangjing Tower): With a strong sense of design and a quiet environment, they usually include tickets, hot spring experiences and shuttle bus services, which can enjoy more benefits.
    2. Theme hotels (such as Water Town Hotel, Gubei Light): Convenient location and complete facilities, suitable for families and multiple travelers.
    3. Characteristic homestays (inns): Distributed in the streets and alleys of the ancient town, the style is simple, more integrated into the life of the town, and the cost performance is relatively high.
Accommodation outside the scenic spot (economical choice):
    The farmhouse in Simatai New Village or Gubeikou Town is affordable, but you need to buy tickets for the scenic spot by yourself and enter and exit the scenic spot every day.

IntoTravelChina accommodation booking suggestions:
Accommodation in the scenic area is very popular, especially on holidays and weekends, and we strongly recommend booking at least 1-2 months in advance. By booking with us, you can not only secure your preferred room type, but also receive a preferential package of "accommodation + tickets + hot springs" and enjoy convenient services such as priority check-in. >> [Click to contact IntoTravelChina Travel Consultant]

The story of Gubei Water Town is about the creative transformation of historical heritage and the poetic conception of modern people's landscape resort life. IntoTravelChina focuses on creating a deep, personal, and hassle-free Chinese travel experience. Our travel experts can help you:
Tailor-made itinerary: Design the perfect route to include Gubei Water Town and surrounding attractions based on your interests (history, photography, leisure, parent-child) and time.
One-stop service: Get accommodation in the scenic spot, ticket packages, night tour of the Great Wall reservation, and round-trip transportation.
Exclusive experience: Arrange in-depth experience of intangible cultural heritage workshops, guided tours of the best photo spots, special dining recommendations, etc.

Let your trip to Gubei Water Town not only be a check-in, but also a cultural vacation experience that pleases the body and mind.
> Start planning your journey today
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