[2025 Beijing ] Travel Guide for Gubei Water Town Hot Spring (Updated May)

#discoverchina Can be a very relaxing diy tour once you get there especially for kids . Lots of handicrafts for them. Must visit the great wall next door. Very authentic and magnificient. Especially in the fall, the leaves were blooming so beautifully that it was like looking at a watercolor painting, and I also liked all the food I bought at the food street. Additionally, I visited on a Monday, and there were not many tourists

Wandering around Gubei Water Town is exactly like embarking on a journey into the past. You can see the color of the walls, the roads, the trees, the windows, the doors reflect a time when mom and dad asked you to go home for dinner 30 years ago, when you were still enjoying your life and not having to worry about money. Gubei Water Town really succeeded in bringing people back to their memory, achieving this even from the attitudes of the local residents who served a cup of hot chocolate. Sometimes people need to slow down their life and realize that their inner peace can be found when they choose to free their mind from all concerns and life obstacles they have.

#aprilblooms Gubei Water Town is a picturesque, ancient town located in Beijing's Miyun District, about 1.5-2 hours drive from the city center. It is a popular destination for both history lovers and those looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Beijing. Here's a complete guide for your visit: 1. Overview Gubei Water Town is often called "the Venice of the North" due to its picturesque canals and traditional Chinese architecture. The town is set against the backdrop of the Simatai Great Wall, making it a perfect combination of historical and natural beauty.#gubeiwatertown

#discoverchina Nestled near Beijing, **Gubei Watertown** transforms into a snow-kissed paradise each winter. Imagine cobblestone lanes dusted with powder, traditional Ming-Qing architecture adorned with icicles, and lanterns glowing softly against frosty skies ✨. This enchanting retreat blends history, culture, and seasonal magic—perfect for travelers seeking serenity or adventure. ⛩️ **Scenic Splendor** ⛰️ Stroll along frozen canals lined with willow trees, their branches glittering with ice 🌾❄️. The town’s pagodas and stone bridges mirror ancient Chinese paintings, while the nearby **Simatai Great Wall** offers breathtaking vistas. By day, hike its rugged trails for panoramic views of snow-draped valleys 🏔️; by night, witness the wall illuminated, snaking like a golden dragon across the mountains 🐉✨. ⛸️ **Winter Wonders & Warmth** ♨️ Embrace the chill with **ice skating** on glassy ponds or marvel at intricate ice sculptures glinting under the sun ☀️❄️. For coziness, dip into open-air **hot springs** surrounded by snow—steam rising as you soak in mineral-rich waters ♨️❤️. As dusk falls, the **Lantern Festival** bathes the town in hues of red and gold, with silk lanterns dancing in the breeze 🏮🎇. 🥟 **Cultural Feasts & Flavors** 🍲 Warm your soul with local delights: savor **iron pot stews** bubbling with tofu and herbs, or bite into crispy **heye bao** (lotus leaf buns) 🥮. Sip fragrant **ginger tea** in a quaint teahouse while watching artisans craft paper cuttings or dye textiles 🍵✂️. Stay in a traditional inn with **heated kang beds**, where hospitality meets heritage 🛏️❤️. 🌟 **A Winter Memory to Treasure** 🌟 Gubei Watertown in winter is more than a destination—it’s a step into a poetic realm where time slows, and every snowflake tells a story ❄️📜. Whether you’re chasing adventure on the Great Wall or savoring stillness by a fireside, this icy Eden promises magic. Pack your thermals and camera—your fairytale awaits! 🧥📸❄️ ✨ **Visit Gubei Watertown—where winter whispers enchantment.** ✨

#discoverchina As flowers bloom and the weather warms, it’s the perfect time to escape the city and breathe in spring 🌷 Tucked beneath the Great Wall, this “Northern Watertown” feels like a dream—cobblestone paths, rowing boats, and the soft sunlight of early spring. It brings to life the northern fantasy of bridges over flowing water—and you don’t even need to leave Beijing to enjoy this tranquil riverside town. 📍 Gubei Water Town, Miyun District, Beijing 🕰️ Suggested Schedule: Depart Saturday morning Return Sunday evening 🚗 Getting There: 2 hours by car from central Beijing Park at “Gubei Water Town Parking Lot” 🧭 Itinerary Overview Day 1 Visitor Center Nantian Gate Water Town Post Office Jiankun Hall Lantern Shop Wind House (kite shop) Hilltop Church (sunset views!) Sun & Moon Island Square (Drone Kongming Lantern Show) Wangjing Street (Great Wall Music Fountain Show) Hot Spring Soak ♨️ Day 2 Simatai Great Wall Mountain Slide Cart Yuantong Pagoda Rowing Boat Ride Yongshun Dye House Return Home 🚗 #travel #thingstodo

Day 1: Arrived by plane in the afternoon, arrived in the city center around 5:00 1. Qianmen Street & Dashilan The two streets are connected. You need to show your ID card to enter Qianmen Street. There is Madame Tussauds inside. It is very cheap at night for only $99. You can take a look. It mainly serves tourists, the things are more expensive and it is quite lively, but it doesn't matter if you don't go. There are some old copper pot shops outside Dazhalan. You should choose the ones that don't use electricity or gas, but use charcoal to cook underneath. They taste better and the price is more reasonable. I recommend it! Day 2: 2. Forbidden City☺️ Must go! As I didn't know how to book tickets, I used the bargaining service of trip.com, which also ensured that I wouldn't get lost. The Clock Museum and Treasure Museum are included in the package. I think the Treasure Museum is worth a visit, but it doesn't matter whether you go to the Clock Museum or not. It's just a bunch of clocks for you to see. If you are not particularly interested, you can skip it. The area is also small. If you have time, I recommend renting an audio guide, walking slowly and listening slowly. It is a bit tiring to follow a tour guide because the Forbidden City is so huge. If you go there by yourself, you may spend more time earlier, but you can take a rest slowly. There are roast duck restaurants outside the Forbidden City, which sell roast duck in many places. They are pretty good. The roast duck restaurants outside the Forbidden City are quite ordinary, with an average price of around $98 for half a duck. Locals seem to recommend Siji Minfu, but it is more expensive and you have to queue! 3. Nanluoguxiang It is also quite lively, and is a small street compared to Dashanlan, but it is also dominated by tourists. It is similar to Qianmen Street and Dashanlan. You can go if you have time, and you don’t have to go if you don’t have time. Day 3: 4. Ming Tombs😭 It is not recommended. First of all, each tomb is far away from each other, and you don’t want to see all of them. Moreover, only one tomb is open underground, and you can see the burial place, but it is basically a replica. You can see Changling and Dingling. Changling can only see the buildings on the ground. The location is relatively remote. It is not recommended unless you are very interested. 5. Mutianyu Great Wall☺️ It is more recommended than Badaling. It is recommended to take the cable car up and the slide down. It is more exciting. Tourists are not as many as Badaling. Because I have been to Badaling before, I didn’t go this time. 6. Gubei Water Town☺️ We shared a car to Gubei Water Town in the evening. We recommend Gubei Light Hotel. The service is very good. The package also includes hot spring bathing. It feels good to bathe in hot springs in cold weather, but the hot spring water also has a lot of chlorine. You need to bring your own swimsuit. There is also a spa, which is separated for men and women and shared bathing. You can play until 11:30 pm. Day4 6. Simatai Great Wall☺️ Hubei Water Town Hotel includes a day ticket for Simatai Great Wall, which can be said to be the most dangerous. If you are not confident, it is not recommended to climb on the Great Wall. After climbing for a while, I was only half dead. It is simpler to take the cable car up and down... But it is also recommended because it has not been repaired. You can see more of the Great Wall, and it is also quite high, higher than the terrain of the two Great Walls! 7, Tongxing Hesheng Slide ☺️ You need to buy a ticket for the projects in Gubei Water Town separately, but it's still fun. It's a rare opportunity to play it. Summary of Gubei Water Town: If you want to visit the Great Wall at night, or want to go to the Great Wall, it's still recommended. The characteristics of the scenic spot are that there are many retro places for you to take pictures and walk around. It's more relaxing. I also recommend going there if you have time to rest, but things are not cheap after all. If you plan to travel on a budget, I don't recommend it because the fare is also quite expensive. Day5 8. Universal Studios☺️ Maybe the expectations were too high or I was quite disappointed? Universal Studios has a bus service, but if you have money, you should call a taxi yourself, because the bus will take more time to pick up everyone from all the B&Bs. Basically, everything is very beautiful. It is recommended to play the ones that don’t need to queue first, because many children will leave at night, and basically many things don’t need to queue. It is not recommended to play Harry Potter first, because there is only an endless queue. The float parade only turns at noon, if you miss it, it will be gone! Quite disappointed And the attitude of the staff is not as enthusiastic as that of Disney, which makes it difficult for you to immerse yourself in the story But the park is still beautifully built, and the music is a bit too loud Also, pay attention to the show time, you will miss it if you miss it! I really like Jurassic Adventure, it's fun and worth a try Harry Potter and Transformers made me feel dizzy, it was too fast and I didn't quite understand what was happening Minions was fun overall, but there were a lot of people sitting there, I only saw the hat of the person in front of me was a bit hard The show is highly recommended, if there are children singing I think it's fun! You can listen to some songs, How to Train Your Dragon is also good! Food recommendations in Universal Studios: Three Brooms! The restaurant's construction is quite similar to the settings in movies and games. The food includes roast chicken and the like, which tastes pretty good. There is also butter and beer, but the price is a bit expensive. Day6 9. Lama Temple We also invited a tour guide from trip.com to listen to the history and worship the gods, but there were still a lot of people. Incense is free, but there were still a lot of people. If you are afraid of suffocation, I would not recommend it. However, there is the world's largest one-body Buddha inside, but the tour guide told us not to take pictures, so we didn't take any. There are also people who come to fulfill their vows. Qianlong's residence before he became emperor was later changed into a temple. You can go or not. If you are interested, you can go. 10. Prince Gong's Mansion☺️ Must go and recommend! Heshen built this place magnificently. It is recommended to rent a tour guide. The history here is very interesting! You must also see the garden, which contains the word "Fu" (blessing) mentioned by Kangxi, which was stolen by Heshen! There are many valuable things in it that you must see! 😂I even think it’s more beautiful than the Forbidden City! There are many rickshaw drivers outside Prince Gong's Mansion who want to show you the streets and alleys. They all charge $30. I didn't take one myself, but I feel that you can bargain. Day7 11. Temple of Heaven Park☺️ I recommend going there. Although it is open until 10pm, I still recommend going there before 5:30pm because the attractions will be closed after 5:30pm. Just walk around and look at the buildings. There is no echo in the echo field, only a bunch of people screaming. It is beautiful to take pictures! It's worth going to see the history! Take a look and you will understand why it is called the temple closest to God! , it was really the tallest temple at that time, right? And it’s round! 12. Old Summer Palace☺️ I bought a 360 VR tour of Old Summer Palace on Trip.com, but found out that it does not include tickets. I don’t recommend it. It makes me dizzy, but there is nothing to see. I recommend the original XR bus. There is also a $20 tour bus. The XR bus will simulate where the buildings were in the past, which is quite interesting. However, if you are not interested, I still recommend taking the tour bus. It will be tiring to walk because the place is too big. You can also ride a bicycle, but it should take more than a day to complete it! Because in many places there was only grass left, nothing else but some waste rocks, all of which had been burned. It is also recommended to buy tickets to enter the Western ruins, which has the most things to see! I was totally shocked that such a huge building could be built at that time! I imagine it would have been really gorgeous if it hadn’t been ruined! After watching it, I just felt immense admiration! 13. Summer Palace☺️ It is still quite cold in winter Is it conceivable that the emperors at that time were quite fond of pleasure? I can fully feel how comfortable this place is in the summer. It is recommended to come here in the summer. The whole place is surrounded by a large lake. In the summer, you can take a sightseeing boat. In the winter, you can only walk on foot because of the ice. It is impossible to finish the walk 😂 But the scenery is beautiful and it is still highly recommended! Very surprised at their architecture and ideas! 14. Beihai North/Yandaixie Street There are many special foods and souvenirs, but it is basically the same as other streets. However, Beihai North has a lot of music bars and many locals! Suitable for making friends and nightlife, it's very lively. There are a lot of delicious food, and many uncles come out to set up stalls at night. The things in the stalls are very cheap, and many of them have price tags! Day8 Return to Hong Kong Notes Many attractions in Beijing close very early, and it gets dark very early in winter, so you have to get up early when traveling in Beijing😭It is still painful for people who are not used to getting up early? When it comes to eating, you don’t have to go to tourist attractions. The food in tourist attractions is not that delicious and is expensive! Also be careful about things that don’t have a price tag, as bargaining can often get you about half the price! There are many attractions, and it would be a bit rushed if you want to visit all of them. I don’t recommend going to Sanlitun and Xidan Commercial Street, as they are all famous brands! Nothing special! It is recommended to bring a thermos bottle when going in winter, because the water at room temperature is very cold and difficult to drink. The thermos bottle makes the water not so cold😭 In addition, when the weather is cold, candied haws are still more delicious! I don’t like hawthorn, but strawberries, oranges and the like are still delicious! It's a one-time thing 😂 Also, pay attention to historical attractions. Many places cannot be entered without advance reservations, but some places simply cannot be booked in advance. For example, I originally planned to go to the National Museum, but on this trip date, there was no way to make a reservation, so I had to give up! #Beijing #BeijingAttractions #BeijingRoastDuck #Forbidden City #PrinceGong’s Mansion #TravelInspiration #Self-Travel

Booked a private hire to bring us from Beijing city to Gubei Water Town (about 2 hours ride) it is a beautiful ancient village connected to Si Ma Tai Great Wall (which we didn’t visit this trip due to the cold weather) we had a good stroll through the village, the lakes are slowly turning into ice (the locals say there will be ice activities for the children towards year end) we went in the mid of December so the ice are not firm yet. It was a good walk. There’s a small hot spring pool for feet inside the town too. Note: entrance fees is needed to enter the town.

Hey, friends! Here's a super useful guide for a 6-day Beijing-Zhangjiakou-Chengde tour. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of northern China! Save it now! -- 🚩Itinerary: DAY 1: National Ski Jumping Center 🏂 Visit the Winter Olympics heritage and feel the charm of skiing. DAY 2: Genting Snow Park (Genting Resort Secret Garden) 🎿 Enjoy skiing at Genting Resort Secret Garden and experience the speed and passion of the ice and snow world. DAY 3: Huizong Temple - Ulan Butong Grassland - Ulan Butong Aobao Tu 🛕 Visit Huizong Temple and experience Buddhist culture; 🌾 Stroll on Ulan Butong Grassland and enjoy the grassland scenery; 🕍 Visit Ulan Butong Aobao Tu and experience ethnic customs. DAY 4: Ulan Butong Grassland - Saihanba National Forest Park 🌳 Continue your Ulan Butong Grassland tour and enjoy the beauty of nature; 🌲 Head to Saihanba National Forest Park and explore the mysteries of the forest. DAY 5: Chengde Museum - Gubei Water Town - Gubei Water Town Hot Spring 🏛 Visit Chengde Museum and learn about history and culture; 🌊 Visit Gubei Water Town and experience the charm of a water town; 🛁 Relax at Gubei Water Town Hot Spring. DAY 6: Gubei Water Town 🚣‍♂️ Explore Gubei Water Town in depth and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the ancient water town. -- **Travel Essentials**: 👔 Clothing: Thick coat, sweater, long pants, thermal underwear, down jacket (It's very cold in these places in December!) 🎒 Accessories: Scarf, gloves, hat, earmuffs, thermal socks (Keep warm!) 💳 Documents: ID card, student ID (discounts available), cash, and bank card (for emergencies) 🔋 Electronics: Mobile phone, charger, power bank, camera (Capture beautiful moments!) 🧴 Skincare: Lip balm, face cream, sunscreen (Don't forget sunscreen even in cold weather!) 💊 Others: Common medicines, band-aids, water bottle (Travel safely and healthily!) -- Enjoy your Beijing-Zhangjiakou-Chengde tour! With this guide, you can travel easily and enjoy a wonderful journey!

#Get a discount without relying on luck One of the most beautiful places in Beijing. The city was built by replicating the area that used to be an old village in the past. Surrounded by beautiful nature, it is peaceful and shady. Both sides of the road are decorated with lights. There are many shops, restaurants, and hotels to choose from. Gubei Water Town is a passageway to go up the Simatai Great Wall.

Getting There - by bus Attractions - Gubei water town Food & Restaurants - hot pot is so nice and i love traditional snacks there.Ice cream is nice too! Recommend to go there, if you have time better stays for 1 night. love it😀# Gubei

At the foot of the Great Wall, the air is very fresh, suitable for relaxation, onsen, immersing yourself in nature or climbing to conquer the Great Wall ☺️ Super addicted and super prefer onsen to see the mountain view throughout the trip #gubeiwatertown #greatwall

Brought my mother to Beijing for her 60th bday because that was her bday wish and gubei water town DID not disappoint. 2 hours ride from main city (I came from Chongwenmen) and there’s an entry fee for both the town + Great Wall + cable car, about SGD40 per pax. WORTH THE WALK. Remember to bring umbrella and water though and dress comfortably. There are hot springs around too! #beijing #greatwallofchina #china

#myhiddengems Built at the foot of Simatai Great Wall, Gubei Water Town is the northeast gateway of Beijing, 140 kilometers from Beijing, 98 kilometers from the Capital Airport, 60 kilometers from Miyun District. Most hotels in Gubei Water Town provide hot spring service. If you choose the hot spring area near Yuanyang Lake in east of Gubei Water Town, you can also enjoy the winding Great Wall in the distance while soaking in hot springs. The night in Gubei Water Town is very romantic and distinctive. You can hike on the Great Wall to overlook the panoramic scenery of the whole town, or roam around the streets of the town. you can also take a boat. There are three routes for tourists to choose, namely, two half routes and a full route. 💰Average Price per Person:In Gubei Water Town, there are 4 top grade hotels, 5 theme hotels and 23 hostels. It's convenience for most tourists who want to visit Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall at night. The price of the hotels ranges from CNY 300 to CNY 3000 Gubei Water Town Scenic Area: CNY 140 Simatai Great Wall: CNY 40 Combo Tickets (Gubei Water Town + Simatai Great Wall): CNY 170 Stay-in guests of Boutique Hotels enjoy free Water Town Entrance ticket. Stay-in guests of Water Town Hotels/Guesthouses/Inns enjoy discounted Water Town Entrance ticket rate CNY 80. 📍Address:Jingcheng Expressway Simatai Great Wall Exit Northward 2 Kilometre, Miyun Beijing China #explorenature #mytravelhacks #china #beijing

Xishan Hot Spring Resort 🌈 Ready for non-stop fun? Xishan Hot Spring Resort is an addictive paradise for both kids and adults! With a dreamy water park, macaron-colored slides, and a time tunnel slide that'll make your heart race, it's a blast for the whole family. Soak up the sun in the newly upgraded outdoor hot springs with chic decor, or indulge in a cozy tea-brewing session under cherry blossoms. Plus, the buffet with fresh seafood and Peking duck will leave you craving more. And for the kids? A candy club with free childcare and a plethora of activities. Don't miss the Blue Parrot Park with its vast array of attractions! 📍 No.13, Fengzhi East Road, Haidian District, Beijing Hot Spring Leisure City 🌊 This spot is perfect for a family day out, with thrilling slides like the giant megaphone and a wave pool to splash around in. While the water might be a bit nippy, the overall vibe is warm and welcoming. Just remember to bring a towel! 📍 No. 55, Wangfu Street, Beiqijia Town, Changping District, Beijing Chunhuiyuan Hot Spring 🍃 Chunhuiyuan offers a serene lakeside hot spring experience, blending the best of nature with the comfort of modern facilities. Enjoy a dip in the perfectly tempered indoor and outdoor pools, relax with a medicinal herb bath, and don't miss out on the free fruit and ping-pong fun! 📍 Yuzhuang, Gaoliying Town, Shunyi District, Beijing Gubei Water Town Hot Spring 🏰 Nestled beneath the Simatai Great Wall, Gubei Water Town Hot Spring offers a picturesque escape with excellent service and a variety of outdoor attractions. The hot springs here are a perfect blend of natural beauty and relaxation, ideal for rejuvenating your body and soul. 📍 In Gubeishui Town, Simatai Village, Gubeikou Town, Miyun County, Beijing Nangong Tourism Resort 🌺 Nangong is a hot spring delight with free chrysanthemum and Luo Han Guo teas in the afternoon. While the second-floor buffet might not impress, the vast space, rich content, and affordable food options make it a worthy visit. Plus, the natural museum is a fantastic touch! 📍 Nangong Village, Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District, Beijing #Beijing #BeijingAttractions #China #ChinaTravel

There are many benefits to soaking in hot springs in winter, including promoting blood circulation, relieving fatigue and stress, soothing muscle pain, enhancing immunity, warming and defending against the cold, etc. Gubei Water Town Hot Springs, originating from the hot springs 3800 meters deep at the foot of the Great Wall, the water quality is excellent, rich in iron, sulfur, magnesium and other trace elements beneficial to the human body. In the open-air hot springs, you can close your eyes and meditate, and whisper with the world. The warm indoor soup pool, the warm indoor atmosphere, the gurgling water sound, like agile music, is truly a soup of the soul. Whether it is an indoor hot spring soup pool or outdoors, it can meet your different needs and let you enjoy the unique hot spring experience of the whole body and mind. The hot spring tourism resources of Gubei Water Town are rich, from the warm indoor soup pool to the outdoor open-air hot springs, from the quiet meditation atmosphere to the agile music enjoyment, all can relax the body and mind, and enjoy the unique charm of the hot springs.