Beijing: Jinshanling & Simatai Night Wall Tour with Gubei Water Town

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/6

Duration8h–10h

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · ZH +1

PickupAt your hotel

Walk ancient stones at Jinshanling then watch Simatai glow above Gubei Water Town

You’ll start your journey at Jinshanling Great Wall, where peaceful trails replace crowds and every step feels personal. Wander lantern-lit streets in Gubei Water Town before riding up to Simatai for rare night views over glowing rooftops. Includes hotel pickup, private guide, local meal, and cable car—leaving you free to soak it all in.

8h–10h

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Jinshanling and Simatai at night

Meet guide at hotel lobby
Drive to Jinshanling Great Wall
Hike and explore Jinshanling Great Wall
Enjoy local-style lunch
Drive to Gubei Water Town
Walk and explore Gubei Water Town
Take cable car to Simatai Great Wall
Enjoy night views of Simatai Great Wall
Drive back to Beijing hotel

The Experience

I’d always pictured the Great Wall packed with people, but stepping onto Jinshanling that afternoon felt different—almost private. Our guide, Li, met us right in the hotel lobby (she was early, actually), and after a couple hours weaving out of Beijing’s rush, we were suddenly surrounded by rolling hills and that wild stretch of wall. The air smelled faintly earthy—maybe from last night’s rain?—and as we started walking, Li pointed out how each watchtower had its own story. I tried to imagine soldiers up there centuries ago. My legs burned a little on the steeper bits, but honestly, I didn’t mind. It was so quiet you could hear your own footsteps echo off the stones.

After hiking Jinshanling for a couple hours (it went by faster than I expected), we piled back into the van and headed for Gubei Water Town. That place surprised me—I’d seen photos but didn’t realize how much it comes alive at dusk. We wandered narrow lanes lined with glowing lanterns and old stone bridges; there was this sweet smell coming from one of the snack stalls (Li said it was hawthorn candy). She laughed when I tried to say “Gubei” in Mandarin—probably butchered it. Dinner was simple but good; something about eating noodles after a day like that just hits differently.

The real magic kicked in when we took the cable car up to Simatai Great Wall. The sun was setting behind us—the sky turning kind of smoky orange—and as we reached the top, lanterns flickered along the wall itself. Not many people around at all. I stood there for a while just looking down at Gubei Water Town below—all those little lights reflected in the water—and felt oddly calm. It’s hard to explain why that moment sticks with me more than any postcard shot ever could.

What’s included

Your day includes private hotel pickup and drop-off in Beijing, all entrance fees for both Jinshanling and Simatai sections of the Great Wall plus Gubei Water Town access, a round-trip cable car ride at Simatai for those sweeping night views, bottled water along the way, an English-speaking guide who really knows their stuff (and helps with photos), plus your choice of either lunch or dinner featuring local Chinese dishes before heading back into city lights again.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discover Beijing Tours