Beijing is a top destination for tourists visiting China. When it comes to Beijing tours, many people think of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Lama Temple. However, in recent years (according to news reports, probably within the last 5 years), the Chinese government has transformed 5 villages around Gubeikou Town, located around the Mandarin Duck Lake Reservoir and at the foot of the mountain where the Simatai Great Wall is located, into a new town similar to Wuzhen in the south. In simple terms, **Gubeikou Water Town is the Wuzhen of Beijing**.

What to do in Gubei

1. Gubei Water Town: Gubei Water Town is stunningly beautiful, with temples, churches, performance venues, small museums, and more. You can simply stroll around, take photos, and stop for refreshments when you get tired.

Especially during autumn, when the leaves turn a vibrant red.

Many people enjoy taking photos even before entering the city gate. There are two ways to explore Gubei Water Town: on foot or by boat.

2. The Simatai Great Wall

From the back of Gubeikou Town, you can see the Great Wall in the distance. You can hike up the Great Wall during the day or take a cable car to admire its beauty at night.

3. Onsen Experience: Gubei boasts high-quality mineral water, so much so that you can drink directly from the tap (according to a hotel sign). During the cold winter months, after a tiring day of sightseeing, a relaxing onsen experience is a must. Several hotels offer onsen facilities, both indoor and outdoor. Guests staying at these hotels often receive free or discounted onsen passes. For those seeking an extra pampering session, massage and spa services are available within the onsen. If you're on a budget, free footbaths are also available.

4. Yuantong Pagoda Temple

Located just a 10-minute walk uphill from Gubei, Yuantong Pagoda Temple offers a serene escape.



5. Engage in various DIY activities, such as liquor fermentation, fabric dyeing, painting, lamp making, etc.


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6. Attend Shows

This category includes various forms of entertainment, such as:

  • Musical fountains: These are choreographed water displays set to music, often accompanied by lights and lasers.
  • Outdoor movies: Enjoy a film under the stars at an open-air cinema.
  • Peking Opera: Experience the traditional Chinese art form of Peking Opera, known for its elaborate costumes, stylized movements, and unique vocal style.




7. Activities on TV

The TV program recommended activities such as yoga and qigong practice.


Duration of a Trip to Gubei

Many people say that this place can be visited as a day trip, and most tours usually take you there as a day trip. However, we chose to stay here for two nights. On the first night, we went to see the water fountain show, and on the second night, we went up the Simatai Great Wall.

If this is your first time here, we recommend staying at least one night, preferably not less. This is because it takes more than an hour to get here by car from Dongzhimen, and then there's the check-in process, which can be problematic for foreigners. In our case, the hotel we booked canceled our reservation without notifying us by email, which we only found out at check-in. This resulted in a significant delay. Fortunately, we were upgraded to a more expensive hotel. After checking in, it took us some time to walk around and get a feel for the layout of Gubei. Gubei wasn't very crowded, possibly because we went on a weekday. Some of the shops and corners didn't even look like they were in China. The hotel had a pleasant atmosphere and was free of cigarette smoke, making it so comfortable that we just wanted to relax and not go anywhere else.

For more information on cool places to visit in Beijing, please read Many Steps in Beijing.

Or join us on our journey through China on the GoNeverStop page.

#gubei water town#beijing#tourist city#china#city walk#car
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