📍Location: Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun, Beijing | Gubei Water Town
🍂Autumn viewing window: Mid-October to early November
Red leaves, ginkgo trees, and ivy all change color. The town alleys and the slopes of the Great Wall are full of color—everywhere you walk is photogenic.
🎫Estimated costs
Water town admission is about 140; night tour of the Great Wall is about 80; the water town + night Great Wall tour package including round-trip cable car is about 280. Prices are subject to real-time updates at the scenic area.
⏰Opening hours
The scenic area is generally open 9:00 AM–10:30 PM, extended to 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Ticket checking for the night Great Wall tour usually starts at 6:00 PM. Temporary changes are subject to the scenic area's policies.
🅿️Self-driving: Park at P1. Small cars are 25 yuan per entry. Afterward, take the free shuttle bus to the visitor center.
🚗 How to get there
1. Self-driving: About 1.5 hours from the city center. Take the Jingcheng Expressway to the Simatai Great Wall Exit (Exit 24) and navigate directly to Gubei Water Town. This is a comfortable option if you have a lot of luggage or want to stop whenever you like.
2. Direct bus: Take the scenic area direct bus from Dongzhimen Transportation Hub. A one-way ticket is about 48. It takes about two hours and is a worry-free choice if you don't want to drive at night.
I recommend an overnight trip. You can leisurely explore the town during the day, wait for the night views in the evening, and not have to rush home after seeing the Great Wall at night. The experience is much better; otherwise, a day trip can feel a bit rushed.
🍁 Highlights worth waiting for
▫️Simatai Great Wall: An authentic ridge-top Great Wall. In autumn, the slopes are covered in red leaves. The view from the top is incredibly vast—completely different from autumn viewing on flat ground.
▫️Night Great Wall: The light strips illuminate the ridge. From a distance, it looks like it's embedded in the mountains, with the lights of the water town below—an experience hard to find elsewhere.
▫️The town itself: Gray brick houses, stone bridges, and canals. Autumn breezes blow red leaves onto the water. Every photo tells a story.
▫️Sculling boat: Ride a black-awning boat through the water alleys. The autumn scenery on both banks slowly drifts by, and you'll feel completely at peace.
▫️Night performances: Drone shows, sky lantern shows, and light displays. These aren't fixed daily, so check the scenic area's notices in advance. They may be canceled due to weather.
▫️Hot springs: If your body is sore after climbing the Great Wall, soaking in a hot spring will maximize your happiness on an autumn night.
▫️Niche spots: Yongshun Dye House, Eight Banners Guild Hall, and the hilltop church. You can stroll around without rushing.
▫️Nearby options: If you have extra time, you can also visit Wuling Mountain, Zihaixiangti, or Jinshanling Great Wall for more autumn scenery.
🗺️ Two itineraries
2 days, 1 night (highly recommended)
Day 1: Arrive in the afternoon, wander around the town, visit the dye house and church, take a sculling boat, wait for the night performances, and soak in the hot springs when you're tired.
Day 2: Explore the town in the morning when it's less crowded, then climb the Simatai Great Wall for a panoramic view of the red leaves. The cable car can save you some energy. Head back after.
One-day high-intensity version
Morning: Enter the town, explore the water alleys, and visit small spots. Afternoon: Climb the Great Wall to see the autumn scenery. After the night Great Wall tour, head back to the city. Suitable for those with good stamina, though it will be a bit rushed.
💡Photo tip: Go to the Great Wall or Wangjing Tower at dusk to capture the water town, the Great Wall, and the red leaves all in one shot. It's very easy to get great photos.
🍜 Food and accommodation
There are many snack options in the town, such as roasted pears, candied hawthorn, and tofu cubes to try while walking. For main meals, you can choose local Miyun dishes.
If you want an immersive experience of the night views and have the budget, stay inside the scenic area. To save money, you can stay at a homestay around Miyun, though it's less convenient for traveling back and forth at night.
⚠️ Tips from a seasoned traveler
1. The times for the night Great Wall tour, hot springs, and night performances are subject to the scenic area's daily schedule. Confirm before you go so you don't make a wasted trip.
2. The steps on the night Great Wall tour are steep. Walk slowly with companions. The cable car saves energy. It's very chilly in the mountains at night, so be sure to bring a jacket.
3. There are many ticket combinations. Compare packages in advance; don't buy them randomly at the last minute.
4. There are many stone paths, so wear comfortable, non-slip shoes. Don't try to wear high heels.
5. When taking photos on the Great Wall, watch your step. Do not climb over railings or go to wild sections of the Great Wall. Safety first.
6. If you are driving back after the night Great Wall tour, the mountain roads have many curves. Slow down and drive carefully at night.
7. Drones and sky lanterns are part of the official scenic area performance. Do not fly them yourself; follow the park's regulations.
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