Gubei Water Town 

Introduction 

Gubei water town is located in Miyun County of Beijing encompassing the beautiful Mandarin Duck Lake Reservoir and bordering the most majestic and reserved Simatai Great Wall. It is 140 kilometers from downtown Beijing and 98 kilometers from the Beijing Capital Airport. The water town was constructed on the former 5 subnatural villages of Simatai Village right at the foot of Simatai Great Wall and covers a total area of 3.5 square miles. It resembles the southern China water town, Wuzhen. The majority of buildings in this water town take up the traditional courtyard style of the northern architectural style taking into account five ancient villages and one water source. Over time, the water town has grown to become a large scale sightseeing vacation getaway including two scenic districts: the Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall. 

Things to do and see on a visit

An old town sightseeing 

Gubei water town is a tranquil and calm old fashioned town with the aspect of simplicity and elegance being its main characteristic. There are old quartzite streets and Hutongs with numerous rows of ancient buildings with river canals flowing through them. 

When night falls, the Water Town lights up to life with Christmas lights strung up in every corner of the town at all time even when it is not Christmas and gets so cozy with most locations such as the Wolongbao Folk Culture Region, the Old Camp Site, the Old Village at Tang River Region, the Blocks of the Republic of China, the Water Streets Region and the Local Accommodation Region open to the public.

Boat riding 

Another common way of exploring the water town is through boat riding. There are plenty of places to stop and rest to admire. There are three routes that tourists to choose from; there are two half routes and a full route. The complete ones start from Yangui Pier close to the tourist center of the entrance to Yuanyang Lake Pier just next to the Simatai Great Wall that lasts for 40 minutes and a half route boat tour commences from Yangui Pier to Riyuedao Pier or from Riyuedao Pier to Yuanyang Lake Pier.

Enjoy free shows 

At the Sun and Moon Island Square, there are free shows and performances between the months of March and October. There are also traditional Peking Opera shows, martial arts performances, a temple fair sugar figure maker, a stilt walker, a yangko dance, a dragon and lion dance and other acrobatic shows.
 

Local customs

Tourists can take part in unique local customs like the process of wine making at the Sima Liquor Distillery. Visitors can also learn about ecological cloth dyeing and printing at the Yongshun Dye House using old spinning machines and looms getting the chance to even create DIY pieces with the help of craftsmen at work. 

Yinghua Academy 

Here at the academy visitors can see historical worksheets including Confucian classics, historical writings, historical records and other miscellaneous pieces of works. In addition to this, one can learn Chinese traditional calligraphy as well as take a sip of fragrant tea. 

Traditional Tea and food 

Many visitors will want to try the local tea flavors that are not only refreshing but also relaxing and satisfying. There are also a number of restaurants serving delicious local cuisine sidelined by the street stall and convenience stores for your appetite. For those with a sweet tooth, the delicious local Hawthorne flavored ice cream is a must-try. 

Yang Wudi

This temple was built to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in many different wars. The Zhenyuan Safeguard Agency demonstrate to visitors the real life of the ancient armed soldiers. 

The Eight Banners Guild Hall

This Eight Banners Guild Hall is located at the fortress of the capital and enables visitors to learn the customs and traditions of Gubei Pass.

Enjoy the Mineral Hot Springs

Gubeikou area is rich in geothermal resources and it has formed numerous natural hot springs. This mineral hot springs have become a major attraction in the water town. Visitors get to enjoy a bath at the hot springs and cases where they choose to stay overnight at hotels such as Duanjia Courtyard Inn and Royal Palace Hot spring Hotel they offer free vouchers to one of the hot springs in the water town. Outside Biaoju Foot care visitors can also enjoy relaxing foot massages at a small fee. From the hot spring area near Yuanyang Lake in the east of Gubei Water Town, visitors soak in the water springs as they take in great views of the winding Great Wall from a distance. 

Yuantong Pagoda

This pagoda is a landmark of the water town where Buddhist monks meditate and practice their culture. Visitors get the chance to join the Buddhists and even taste their amazing tea.

Ice sculptures 

There are ice sculptures created by Professional teachers during the Chinese New Year. 

Happy kids Nation and lantern shop-for kids

Visitors traveling with kids will find this location very useful and enjoyable because they engage kids to have fun and at the lantern shop which is a favorite among kids where they get to learn how to make their own lanterns with the guidance of craftsmen.