Beijing Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall 2-Day Tour

Summary

Overnight Stay at Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Adventure

You’ll get to sleep right inside Gubei Water Town and see Simatai Great Wall before crowds arrive. Local food, private guide, easy transfers—it’s a real taste of Beijing’s history and charm.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we pulled into Gubei Water Town was the soft hum of water running under old stone bridges. Our guide, Ms. Li, met us right at the hotel entrance—she’d already checked us in, so we could drop our bags and wander straight out into the maze of lantern-lit alleys. The air smelled faintly sweet from a nearby bakery selling warm sesame cakes. We ducked into tiny shops—one sold hand-painted fans, another had rows of candied hawthorn skewers glistening under the lights.

After sunset, the whole town glowed. Locals set up little stalls along the canal; one guy was grilling lamb skewers and joking with kids who tried to sneak extra pieces. We grabbed dinner at a family-run spot called Lao Zhang’s—nothing fancy, just big bowls of noodles and pickled veggies that hit the spot after a long walk. The view from our room later was something else: you could see the Great Wall snaking up the dark hills, dotted with tiny lights.

Next morning, breakfast was simple but fresh—steamed buns, eggs, soy milk. We strolled through quiet streets before most visitors arrived; it felt like having the place to ourselves. If you’re there between April and October, you can hop on a little boat for a ride through the water town (costs extra). Around mid-morning, we headed over to Simatai Great Wall. The cable car ride up is quick but gives you this sweeping view over forests and rooftops below. Up top, it’s quieter than other parts of the Wall—just birdsong and wind in the trees. Our guide pointed out some original watchtowers that haven’t been rebuilt; you can still see old bricks worn smooth by centuries of footsteps.

We hiked for about an hour or so—honestly, it’s not too tough if you take your time—and then rode back down for a late lunch before heading back to Beijing. If you need airport pickup or drop-off (we did), just let them know when booking—they handled all the details without any fuss.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Gubei Water Town Arrival and Tour

• Pickup from hotel or airport
• Drive 2 hours to Gubei Water Town
• Check-in at hotel
• Explore shops and waterways
• Enjoy night view of water town
• Dinner with authentic Chinese meal
• Overnight at Gubei Water Town hotel

Day 2 — Simatai Great Wall Visit

• Breakfast at hotel
• Leisure walk in water town
• Optional boat ride (own cost)
• Visit Simatai Great Wall
• Cable car and hiking
• Photo opportunities with guide
• Late lunch with Chinese meal
• Check out and return to hotel or airport

Top questions

Can I be picked up from Beijing Capital or Daxing Airport?

Yes—just share your flight details when booking and they’ll arrange pickup or drop-off as needed.

Is this tour suitable for solo travelers?

Absolutely! Solo guests get their own private room at the hotel—no sharing required.

What should I wear for this trip?

Comfortable walking shoes are best since there’s plenty of exploring on foot. Dress for the weather—it can be chilly at night near the Wall.

Are meals included?

Yes—dinner in Gubei Water Town, breakfast at your hotel, and lunch after visiting Simatai Great Wall are all covered.

What’s included

Your package covers private transportation with airport or hotel pickup/drop-off in Beijing, overnight stay in a view room at Gubei Water Town hotel (single or double occupancy), all entrance fees, round-trip cable car tickets for Simatai Great Wall, three meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch), plus a friendly local guide throughout your journey.