Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall at Night: Day Trip or Overnight?
by Robin
September 4, 2026
Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall officially open at night, and it sits right next to Gubei Water Town, a rebuilt canal town lit with lanterns. Together they make one of the most distinctive day trips from Beijing. The real question is not whether to go, but whether to come back the same night or stay over. The short answer is that an overnight stay is worth it if you want to see the Wall illuminated without rushing, and a day trip works if you only have one day and do not mind a late return to Beijing. Here is how to decide.
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4.7/5
2669 reviews
5/5
We really enjoyed our trip to Gubei Water City and the Simatai Aerospace Station. It was beautiful, with great views and atmospheric photos. We went up and down the cable car and took lots of memorable, atmospheric photos.
5/5
We arrived by transfer (it was convenient to have a bus and a guide), then there was the VKS, we took the cable car one way, and went down to the wall to the city. We were disappointed to find no European cuisine. Bring your own cat food, there are a lot of cats in the city!
4/5
The wall is fantastic! Gubei is very Instagrammable, but it's a completely devoid of life, consisting of shops and cafes. Shanghai Venice and Furong are fantastic; they have life, history, and locals. But here you feel like you're walking through a set, and that's basically it.
5/5
The ancient town is incredibly beautiful, especially in autumn when the leaves turn a stunning golden hue.
5/5
The organizers contacted us the day before. On the bus, the guide told us stories in English. The city is beautiful. The Great Wall of China is magnificent. We loved everything, day and night. We stayed in a hotel for one night and didn't regret it. We slowly saw everything. The boat ride was a joy, the cable car ride was beautiful. And the walk to the 11th Tower and back down will never be forgotten. Super easy!
AI Summary
This summary is AI-generated by Trip.com. For the complete guide, please refer to the article below.
Simatai offers night access to an illuminated Great Wall section near Gubei Water Town, with tickets costing roughly 170 RMB for a combo entry. Visitors reach the site via two-hour bus, train, or private transfer from Beijing, with night sessions operating from April to November. Overnight stays are recommended to avoid late travel, as hotel rates range from 600 to 1,500 RMB.
Why Simatai at Night Is Different
Most visitors see the Great Wall in daylight, often at Badaling or Mutianyu. Simatai is the one place where the Wall is lit up after dark, and it changes the whole experience.
- The Wall is illuminated along its ridge, so you see the towers outlined against the night sky
- The crowds are far smaller than any daytime section
- The night session runs roughly April to November, usually from about 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM, with shorter hours in the colder months
- A cable car takes you up, so you do not need to climb far in the dark
Below the Wall, Gubei Water Town has lantern lit canals, artisan shops, snack stalls and occasional performances, including drone light shows set to music.
Day Trip vs Overnight Stay: The Core Decision
Factor | Day Trip | Overnight Stay |
|---|---|---|
Time needed | Depart Beijing around 12:00 to 2:30 PM, return by 10:30 to 11:30 PM | One night, leave Beijing around midday, return next morning |
What you see | Water Town in the evening, Wall at night, then drive back | Wall at night, Water Town in the evening, plus a quiet morning |
Pace | Rushed, especially the drive back | Relaxed, no pressure to leave |
Cost | Transport plus tickets, no hotel | Adds a hotel, about 600 to 1,500 RMB a night |
Who it suits | Travelers with one day to spare | Travelers who want the full experience |
The honest version is that the day trip is enough to see everything, but the overnight is what most people who go once actually recommend, because the late drive back to Beijing is the worst part of the whole experience.
What to Do at Gubei Water Town
Gubei Water Town is a purpose built canal town at the foot of Simatai, and it looks its best at night.
- Walk the lantern lit streets and canals
- Browse the artisan shops and craft workshops
- Eat local snacks and noodles at the food stalls
- Watch the evening performances, which can include drone shows and acrobatics
- In winter, some stays include access to natural hot springs
The town is compact, and a few hours is enough to cover it. It is not an ancient town in the strict sense, so set expectations accordingly, but at night it photographs well and it is a comfortable place to spend an evening.
4.7/5
2669 reviews5/5
We really enjoyed our trip to Gubei Water City and the Simatai Aerospace Station. It was beautiful, with great views and atmospheric photos. We went up and down the cable car and took lots of memorable, atmospheric photos.
5/5
We arrived by transfer (it was convenient to have a bus and a guide), then there was the VKS, we took the cable car one way, and went down to the wall to the city. We were disappointed to find no European cuisine. Bring your own cat food, there are a lot of cats in the city!
4/5
The wall is fantastic! Gubei is very Instagrammable, but it's a completely devoid of life, consisting of shops and cafes. Shanghai Venice and Furong are fantastic; they have life, history, and locals. But here you feel like you're walking through a set, and that's basically it.
5/5
The ancient town is incredibly beautiful, especially in autumn when the leaves turn a stunning golden hue.
5/5
The organizers contacted us the day before. On the bus, the guide told us stories in English. The city is beautiful. The Great Wall of China is magnificent. We loved everything, day and night. We stayed in a hotel for one night and didn't regret it. We slowly saw everything. The boat ride was a joy, the cable car ride was beautiful. And the walk to the 11th Tower and back down will never be forgotten. Super easy!
The Simatai Night Wall Experience
 |  |
The night visit to Simatai is the reason to make the trip.
- The illuminated section is short but scenic, following the ridge above the town
- A cable car runs up to the Wall, which makes it accessible even in the dark
- The atmosphere is calm, with far fewer people than any daytime section
- The view back down to the lit Water Town is the highlight for most visitors
One thing to know is that only a limited section of the Wall is open at night, and access can be restricted in poor weather. Book in advance, especially for weekends and holidays, when slots sell out up to ten days ahead.
Tickets and Prices
Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
Gubei Water Town entrance | About 140 to 150 RMB |
Simatai Great Wall entrance | About 40 RMB |
Combo ticket (Water Town + Wall) | About 170 RMB |
Cable car single trip | 80 RMB |
Cable car round trip | 120 RMB |
Day entry with single cable car | About $42.90 |
Day entry with round trip cable car | About $51.90 |
Children under 120 cm or six years old enter free with a passport. Seniors over 60 may get half price on the Water Town entrance. Foreign visitors need a passport to check in, and most bookings are confirmed with a QR code sent by email or message.
4.7/5
2669 reviews5/5
We really enjoyed our trip to Gubei Water City and the Simatai Aerospace Station. It was beautiful, with great views and atmospheric photos. We went up and down the cable car and took lots of memorable, atmospheric photos.
5/5
We arrived by transfer (it was convenient to have a bus and a guide), then there was the VKS, we took the cable car one way, and went down to the wall to the city. We were disappointed to find no European cuisine. Bring your own cat food, there are a lot of cats in the city!
4/5
The wall is fantastic! Gubei is very Instagrammable, but it's a completely devoid of life, consisting of shops and cafes. Shanghai Venice and Furong are fantastic; they have life, history, and locals. But here you feel like you're walking through a set, and that's basically it.
5/5
The ancient town is incredibly beautiful, especially in autumn when the leaves turn a stunning golden hue.
5/5
The organizers contacted us the day before. On the bus, the guide told us stories in English. The city is beautiful. The Great Wall of China is magnificent. We loved everything, day and night. We stayed in a hotel for one night and didn't regret it. We slowly saw everything. The boat ride was a joy, the cable car ride was beautiful. And the walk to the 11th Tower and back down will never be forgotten. Super easy!
How to Get There from Beijing
Simatai and Gubei Water Town are about 120 km northeast of Beijing, roughly a two hour drive.
Transport | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Direct bus from Dongzhimen | About 2 hours | About 48 RMB one way |
S5 suburban train to Gubeikou, then shuttle | About 2.5 hours total | Train fare plus shuttle |
Private car or Didi | 2 to 3 hours | About 1,000 to 1,300 RMB round trip |
Organized tour | Varies | From about $89 per person |
The direct bus from Dongzhimen Bus Terminal is the cheapest option, but it cannot be booked in advance and gets crowded on weekends. The S5 train runs from Beijing North Railway Station to Gubeikou Station, where a shuttle covers the last 15.5 km to the town. A private car or Didi is the most comfortable, and an organized tour is the easiest for visitors who want everything handled in English.
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Gubei Light Hotel & Gubei Water Town – A Magical Experience in Beijing
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* Unlimited Hot Spring Access: You can enter and leave the hot springs as many times as you like, making it easy to enjoy a meal and come back for another relaxing soak.
* Personal WeChat assistant: Every guest gets a personal assistant through WeChat who can help with directions, recommendations, and any questions throughout the resort.
* Convenient Shuttle Service: Simply contact your personal assistant or the front desk, and a shuttle can arrive at the hotel entrance within about 5 minutes.
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A Special Shout-Out to Our Personal assistant, @YangLiJun!
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Breakfast was also packed, and it took a little while to find an open table. The food selection was quite limited and didn't really live up to a 5-star standard.
There were a few other issues: the shower water kept fluctuating between hot and cold in the morning, and the water pressure was unstable. Also, while the key card worked in the elevator, it wouldn't open the room door—this happened twice, requiring me to go all the way back to the front desk to get the cards re-encoded.FromAED 614
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Although it poured in Beijing on the 17th, the skies cleared up on the 18th. Autumn in Beijing and around Jiangtai Road is simply stunning.
Thank you once again to the hotel for the wonderful arrangements and care. Ten years of meeting, and I’ve attached a letter of gratitude. Wishing the hotel continued success and prosperity.FromAED 484
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We chose the Rosewood Hotel to celebrate our second wedding anniversary before heading abroad, and booked an Executive Suite. I must give credit to the stunning design of both the public areas and the room, and the in-room dining was also delicious.
However, I was extremely disappointed with the poor soundproofing and the mediocre attitude of the concierge team. During the pre-arrival call, I explicitly stated that we would be moving abroad, which meant we needed to ship several large suitcases ahead of time as it wasn't convenient to carry them with us, and I also provided the expected arrival time of the luggage. Yet, when the luggage arrived at the concierge desk, a staff member called me in an accusatory tone to ”inform” and remind me that the room could not be used for commercial photography. It was clear there was zero communication between them and the staff member from the pre-arrival call. Even after I explained the situation, the staff member remained very cold, stating, ”We have a policy against commercial photography.” This left me feeling utterly bewildered and disappointed.FromAED 1,367
5100 Reviews
East Second Ring Workers' Stadium Area Beijing|5.18km from city center
Top-notch service with a full score of 💯! During this business trip, knowing how dry Beijing can be, the staff thoughtfully sent me some rock sugar and pear juice. The hotel also offers a complimentary Executive Lounge afternoon tea service, which made meeting with my client so much more convenient. The room was exceptionally clean—not a single water stain on the faucets. It was very, very clean. Every day when the housekeeping staff came to clean, they even helped tidy up my clothes and shoes. It made me feel truly well-cared for, comfortable, and pampered! Also, the service at the Chinese restaurant was highly professional, and their Peking duck tasted better than anywhere else 😋. I also tried the Western restaurant, and the quality of their food was simply top-tier—that's true professional quality. Thank you, InterContinental, thumbs up for your amazing service 👍.FromAED 1,100
Very Good2022 Reviews
Yansha Commercial Area Beijing|7.18km from city center
I stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel Dalian in June and was very satisfied with both the service and the environment. For my trip to Beijing during the National Day holiday, I chose the Four Seasons again, and this time the experience was even better.
First of all, the Beijing Four Seasons is located by the Liangma River. Sitting by the river for a drink at one of the pubs is very relaxing. It's very convenient to walk to SOLANA for dinner, and taking a taxi or the subway to Sanlitun or China World Trade Center is quick and easy.
The room service, in particular, was fantastic. Coming back after a long day out to a clean, comfortable, and neatly arranged room was a delight. When the housekeeping staff saw that we had brought a few books of our own, they thoughtfully provided bookmarks. There were also various thoughtful touches in how things were tidied up, showing that the staff truly put care into their work. Even the doorman service was proactive—helping to open and close car doors and handling luggage.
Although the hotel has been open for 13 years, the hardware facilities are exceptionally well-maintained, and the interior design is elegant and grand. I will definitely choose the Four Seasons Hotel again next time I visit Beijing.FromAED 917
Very Good1894 Reviews
Yanqi Lake/Hongluo Temple area Beijing|58.34km from city center
Overall, we had a wonderful stay at the Sunrise Kempinski Hotel Beijing (Sunrise Oriental Hotel). The hotel boasts a beautiful environment right next to Yanqi Lake, offering stunning scenery. The rooms are spacious, comfortable, and well-cleaned. The breakfast is especially worth recommending—it features a rich variety of both Chinese and Western options with plenty of choices and great taste. The hotel staff were warm, attentive, and friendly, promptly responding to all our requests. With great overall surroundings, dining, and service, this is definitely a hotel worth choosing for a vacation or getaway in Huairou.FromAED 508
Breakfast
Outstanding5259 Reviews
International Trade CBD/Chaoyang Joy City Beijing|2.93km from city center
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I recently stayed at the Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong (Jianguo Hotel / The State Guest Hotel context usually applies, but for CSW/Jianguomen area: The Xiyuan/Jianguo/etc. Let's stick to The St. Regis or the historic Jianguo Hotel - wait, '赛特饭店' is the Grand Hotel Jianguo / Scitech Hotel. Let's translate as Scitech Hotel Beijing).
My stay at Scitech Hotel in Beijing this time far exceeded expectations. True to its reputation as a long-established foreign-affairs hotel in the Jianguomenwai area, it is rich in heritage.
The location is simply impeccable. Situated right on Chang'an Avenue in Jianguomenwai, adjacent to the embassy district, it's just a few minutes' walk to Jianguomen Subway Station (Lines 1 and 2 interchange). Getting to China World Trade Center (Guomao), Silk Street, or Beijing Railway Station is extremely convenient. The surrounding area is packed with shopping malls and diverse dining options, making it ideal for both business trips and sightseeing. Hailing a taxi is also a breeze.
The hotel lobby is grand yet understated with elegant decor. The classic revolving staircase is very textured, and the moment you walk in, you can feel the poised, dignified atmosphere of a classic hotel. Check-in was very efficient; the front desk staff were polite, professional, and happy to answer all questions with smooth communication. The guest room was spacious, well-lit, and meticulously cleaned, with even the corners spotless. The bedding was soft, the mattress provided great support, and the soundproofing at night was good—allowing for a peaceful rest despite being in a bustling downtown area. The bathroom features a dry-wet separation layout, stable hot water, and a full set of amenities. The room's Wi-Fi was fast and stable, handling work tasks and video streaming without any lagging, and the mini-fridge was a thoughtful touch.
The breakfast offered a rich variety of options, covering both Chinese and Western cuisines, including hot dishes, pastries, fruits, and beverages. The freshly cooked noodles were particularly good. With plenty of choices to suit different tastes, it easily catered to various needs. The hotel facilities are comprehensive, featuring a fitness center and a business center, making it convenient for meetings or a quick workout.
The overall atmosphere is quiet and secure; the service is unpretentious yet attentive in every detail. This historic hotel is exceptionally well-maintained and offers great value for money—a top choice for business travelers. Next time I visit Beijing, Scitech Hotel will still be my first choice. Highly recommended!FromAED 172
Outstanding1891 Reviews
The Grand Canal CBD Beijing|21.34km from city center
I had a wonderful stay here. The reception staff were incredibly friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help with any questions I had. They made me feel comfortable from the moment I arrived.
What impressed me the most was when I checked out—they even prepared a small farewell gift for me, which was such a thoughtful and heartwarming gesture. It made my stay even more memorable.
Thank you for your excellent hospitality. I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Beijing.FromAED 99
80 Reviews
East Second Ring Workers' Stadium Area Beijing|4.23km from city center
Booked the smallest room for 50€.
Location was fine and the AC worked.
Toilet flushed well, which is rare.
I think the price was high because of the national holiday but still doesn’t explain why the room was full of dust.
Also the room smelled like cigarette but turning the AC on it goes away.
If the price was below 40€ it would be worth it.FromAED 131
6784 Reviews
Wangjing Area Beijing|10.59km from city center
The front desk staff noticed our booking was for a tatami room and kindly upgraded us to a much larger room—completely free of charge! Many thanks!!! While some facilities are a bit dated, the overall stay was very comfortable. When I accidentally left my phone behind at check-out, I called right away and received an immediate response—the staff even placed it in a small bag for safekeeping. Excellent service!FromAED 246
Excellent350 Reviews
Tian'anmen Square and Wangfujing Area Beijing|1.47km from city center
My stay at the Waldorf Astoria Beijing was absolutely perfect, earning a full five-star review! I experienced both the main building and the traditional courtyard rooms. The location is superb, right next to Wangfujing and within walking distance to the Forbidden City, making getting around incredibly convenient. The hotel's design is truly unique and thoughtful. The rooms are spacious and elegant, the bedding is soft and comfortable, and the amenities are high-quality and smell wonderful – every detail shows great care. Our butler, Willow, provided attentive and thoughtful service; she was warm, polite, and perfectly balanced, never being intrusive. The breakfast spread was extensive, featuring both authentic Beijing specialties and delicious Western options. The afternoon tea was beautiful and tasted just as good as it looked. This is definitely the top luxury hotel to stay at when visiting Beijing. Highly recommended!FromAED 3,677
Where to Stay If You Choose Overnight
Hotels inside Gubei Water Town run about 600 to 1,500 RMB a night. Staying inside the town is the whole point of the overnight option, because it means you can walk the Wall at night, eat in the town, and wake up to a quiet morning before the day trip crowds arrive.
The main trade off is cost and availability. Rooms inside the town sell out on weekends and holidays, so book as far ahead as you can. If the town hotels are full, there are cheaper options in the surrounding area, but then you lose the convenience of walking back to your room after the night Wall visit.
How to Decide: Day Trip or Overnight
- Choose the day trip if you only have one day in Beijing, or you are watching the budget.
- Choose the overnight if you want to see the Wall lit up without watching the clock, and you can afford the hotel.
- Choose the day trip if you are visiting in winter, when the night hours are shorter.
- Choose the overnight if you want the drone show and the evening performances, which are easier to catch without rushing.
- Choose the day trip if you have already seen the Great Wall and only want a quick look at Simatai.
- Choose the overnight if this is your only Great Wall experience, because the night version is worth doing properly.
The deciding factor for most people is the late drive back. A day trip means getting back to Beijing around 11 PM. If that sounds fine, the day trip works. If it sounds exhausting, stay overnight.
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1008756 booked
Tips for International Visitors
- Book in advance. Simatai night tickets are limited, and weekends and holidays can sell out up to ten days ahead.
- Bring your passport. It is required for entry and for booking check in.
- The night Wall is seasonal. It runs roughly April to November. Outside that window, check whether the night session is still operating before you book.
- Dress warmly. Even in summer, the Wall is cooler at night, and in spring and autumn it gets cold after dark.
- Book the combined ticket if you are doing both. It is cheaper than buying the Water Town and Wall tickets separately.
- Do not rely on the bus on weekends. The Dongzhimen bus is cheapest but crowded. If you are on a schedule, book a tour or a private transfer.
Gubei Water Town FAQ
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Is the Simatai Great Wall open at night?
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Is Gubei Water Town worth an overnight stay?
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How far is Gubei Water Town from Beijing?
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How much do tickets cost?
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How do I get to Gubei Water Town from Beijing?
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