Simatai Great Wall & Gubei Water Town Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the ancient Simatai Great Wall
- Stroll through picturesque Gubei Water Town
- Enjoy panoramic views of the Great Wall
- Experience traditional Chinese architecture
- Capture stunning photos of the landscape
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Private transportation from Beijing
- Guided tour of Simatai Great Wall
- Admission to Gubei Water Town
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
In the morning, your private guide will come to pick you up in your hotel lobby (or at your requested time before noon), then take you to Simatai Great Wall and Water Town directly. You will first visit Gubei Water Town which is a newly built water town is located in Miyun county with a massive backdrop of the world famous Simatai Great Wall, the romantic Yuanyang Lake and the ancient Simatai Village. It is a replica of Wuzhen Water Town in the Southern China. In Gubei Water Town, there are 6 areas in soft opening stage including Old Barracks Area, Minguo Street Area, Water Street Area, Wonglong, and etc. You will find many interesting shops, tasty restaurants, and distinctive hotels there.
After visiting Gubei Water Town for about 1-2 hour, you will start your hiking tour on the Simatai Great Wall. This part of your trekking is one of the most beautiful sections among the Great Wall. It is located 120 kilo meters away from Beijing. Originally built during the Northern Qi dynasty (550–577) and rebuilt in the Hongwu years of the Ming dynasty. It has 5.4 km long with 35 beacon towers. It is known for its steepness. The UNESCO has designated Simatai Great Wall as one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites as part of the Great Wall World Heritage Site. If you want to save your energy for the Great Wall hiking, you can also choose to take cable car up and walk down. For lunch time, you can enjoy you meal at the Water Town any time. After the entire tour, your will be transferred back your hotel in Beijing.
Important information
Know before you book
- This is a private tour; the itinerary can be customized to your preferences.
- The tour operates in all weather conditions; dress appropriately for the season.
- Please inform the operator of any dietary restrictions in advance.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes and architecture.
- Carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated during the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Infants Required On Laps
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please wear comfortable shoes and clothes
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Traveler reviews
Tour review
The tour was great and I had a great time with my friend. The view at the Great Wall and the water village was fantastic- it was a unique experience and I highly recommend it. The tour guide Kevin was very kind and thoughtful. Thank you so much for everything!
Exceptional Guide Jerry
Tour Guide Jerry was exceptional. He took my pictures which turned out great! He explained the history of The Great Wall and also adjusted to my pace especially during the climb to the Great Wall which was tiring. He even helped with my sim card when I had issues with it. Thank you so much! Will come back soon with my family and ask for Jerry as our guide. Xie xie!
Simply amazing - beautiful scenery and great tour guide!
I just completed my Water Town and Simatai Great Wall tour and could not recommend it more! I decided last minute to book a solo trip last night and definitely have no regrets. Marco picked me up at 7:30 in my hotel lobby and we drove the 2 hours to Water Town where we strolled through the town early enough to avoid the crowds. We then grabbed the cable car up to the Wall and even though it was overcast and chilly the views were breathtaking. I even got history lessons along the way which I very much appreciated! After walking back down we stopped at a restaurant in Water Town for lunch and had delicious food and great conversation. If you have a free day in Beijing and want to see the Great Wall and a traditional but tourist friendly town I would definitely book this tour!
Very interesting tour, particularly if you want to avoid the crowds at other Great Wall spots like Badaling
My friend and I wanted to be away from where the crowds are. We also felt that the Great Wall alone wouldn't be enough to fill our day. Gubei was a very interesting addition to the Great Wall. Probably it was even the better part of the trip. If you don't mind of a 2 hours driving one way, it's a perfect itinerary. Our guide Linda was kind and patient. We stopped a lot to take our photos. Linda also took some good photos from us (my friend and me) together and sent them to me via e-mail. She didn't talk too much, but in my point of view this was the right thing. The driver also was very handsome and did a great job. If joining the crowds at Badaling isn't your thing, Simatai & Gubei is more than just an alternative.
The best tour I’ve even taken!
This is the best tour I’ve even taken- every penny and time spent on this was totally worth it! Lily my guide was outstanding, she picked me up from my hotel and took me to the Water Town and then to see the magnificent Great Wall in the night illuminated. Lily was super friendly, accommodative and patient with all my request. She explained to me the history and significance of the place. I love taking pictures wherever I go and lily was super patient with that and also helped me click some amazing pictures. Seeing the Great Wall at night through the Watertown was great experience and I recommend this to everyone. The drive to the water town was also very scenic from Beijing. The next time I am in Beijing, I will only tour with Lily!!! She is the best!!!