Beijing Watertown Guide: A Scenic Escape to China’s Hidden Heritage
Tucked away from the capital’s frenetic pace lies a serene slice of Chinese heritage, Beijing’s watertown.
With its meandering canals, grey-stone alleyways, and red-lantern-lit bridges, the watertown offers a peaceful counterpoint to the city’s modern sprawl.
Stepping into this ancient fairytale like village feels like entering a living painting. Traditional courtyard homes line the water’s edge, and wooden boats glide quietly beneath arched stone bridges. Many of these structures trace their roots to Ming and Qing dynasties, echoing stories of merchants, poets, and silk traders.
Beijing Water Town, also known as Gubei watertown, is built on the foundations of five ancient villages in Simatai Village, originally part of Simatai Castle, constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1573–1620).
Though the town itself is a modern reconstruction, it faithfully reflects northern Chinese courtyard architecture, echoing styles from the late Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) and the Republic of China period (1912–1949).
Historically, the area served as a strategic military outpost, guarding the northern frontier of Beijing. It was part of the Gubeikou defence system, crucial for protecting the capital.
The nearby Simatai Great Wall is famed for its steep terrain and watchtowers, and was considered one of the most formidable sections of the Great Wall.
Originally built during the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577) and later reconstructed in the Ming Dynasty, Simatai was part of a vital defence system guarding Beijing’s northeastern frontier.
It spans 5.4 km and features 35 watchtowers, each with unique architectural styles, some hexagonal, some multi-storey, and many still bearing the original Ming-era bricks.
Simatai wall tour at night
Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall open for night tours, with towers 5–6 illuminated under the stars. It’s a surreal experience—lanterns, silence, and the Wall glowing like a dragon’s spine. It is stunningly magical.
Furthermore, you will be able to observe the nightly drone show, held in the watertown, from a vantage point. It is beautiful.
Getting there is simple: first you need to buy the combo ticket to access the watertown and the cable car for Simatai wall.
A combo ticket for Gubei Water Town and the Simatai Great Wall costs CNY 170. This ticket grants access to both the water town and the Great Wall section. There are also options for cable car rides, with a round-trip cable car and Gubei Water Town entrance costing CNY 280 for the night tour.
Here’s a breakdown of the pricing:
- Simatai Great Wall Entrance Fee: CNY 40
- Combo Ticket (Gubei Water Town + Simatai Great Wall): CNY 170
- Cable Car (One-Way): CNY 90
- Cable Car (Round-Trip): CNY 160
- Night Entrance Fee (including Gubei Water Town entrance and round-trip cable car): CNY 280
Travel tips:
- Access: You must enter via Gubei (Beijing) Water Town, and combo tickets are required for both sites
- Cable Car: Available to towers 5 or 8; steep sections still require hiking
- Best Seasons: Spring and autumn for clear skies and fewer crowds
- Safety: No restrooms on the Wall; wear sturdy shoes and bring water. Be careful if you suffer from vertigo.
Watertown isn’t just about ambience—it’s a feast for the senses. Be sure to sample:
- Tanghulu (candied hawthorns)—sweet, tart, and irresistibly nostalgic
- Douzhi’er—a fermented mung bean drink beloved by locals
- Lotus-leaf steamed buns—soft parcels filled with savoury pork or vegetables
There are plenty of restaurants, shops and cafes to satisfy any taste and budget, including vegetarians like myself.
Keep an eye out for traditional performances like shadow puppetry or folk music by the canal side, especially in the evenings when the town glows under the lanterns.
And don’t forget the drone show around 8pm.
📸 Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: Spring and autumn offer crisp air and beautiful light for photography. Summer is incredibly hot and crowded.
- Getting there: it’s about 2 hours from central Beijing, depending on the means of transport. See below.
- Stay overnight: I totally recommend to spend at least one night in the town. We spent two nights and loved it. There are several guesthouses allow you to wake up to misty canals and birdsong.
Trip.com is the best site when it comes to booking hotels and tours in China as it has a much wider (and cheaper) selection compared to the more famous sites. Furthermore, it has the address in both English and Chinese, making it easier to show your driver.
Beijing Miyun Gubei Water Town (Simatai Great Wall)
How to get to Beijing watertown
To reach Beijing Water Town from central Beijing, you’ve got a few solid options depending on your budget and travel style. Here’s a breakdown
Tourist Shuttle Bus
- Departure Point: Dongzhimen Outer Bus Station
- Schedule: Daily at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM
- Return: From Gubei at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM
- Duration: ~2 hours
- Fare: ¥48 one-way
- Payment: Cash, Beijing Yikatong card, or mobile apps (WeChat Pay, Alipay)
- Booking Tip: You can reserve tickets via the WeChat mini-program “旅服优选”
🧭 How to find the bus:
Take Subway Line 2 to Dongzhimen Station, Exit B. Walk east ~300m, turn left at the first traffic light, and continue ~300m. Look for volunteers or signage near the building entrance where the shuttle departs
🚆 By Train + Shuttle Bus (Scenic Route)
- Train: Take S501 or S503 from Beijing North Railway Station to Gubeikou Station
- Duration: ~2.5 hours
- Fare: ¥12
- Shuttle Bus: From Gubeikou Station to Gubei Water Town (~30 minutes)
- Total Cost: ~¥22
- Best For: Budget travellers who enjoy a slower, more local experience
🚖 DIDI (Most Comfortable)
- Duration: ~1.5h
- Cost: ~¥350/500 from central Beijing
- Pros: Door-to-door service, flexible timing
- Cons: More expensive than other transportations but still quite affordable and convenient.
- WARNING: if you are using DIDI, do not input Gubei watertown or Gubeikou in the destination, look instead for Simatai, otherwise it will bring you elsewhere.
Tours:
There are also tours from Beijing with different options for sightseeing, including Simatai at night, take a look : Things to do in Beijing Watertown
I hope you will enjoy this serene adventure outside of busy Beijing.
We continued on to another hidden gem, 1 hour bullet train away: Chengde!
