Gubei Water Town is a canal-side resort town near the Simatai section of the Great Wall, northeast of Beijing, in the hills of Miyun district. It works as an overnight stop for travelers walking the wall, and Simatai itself is the main reason to come. We could not find an independent encyclopedia source for the town, so the facts below are about the wall next to it, and the town description is general.
| Simatai Great Wall | 5.4 km long with 35 beacon towers; about 120 km northeast of central Beijing, in Miyun district, next to Gubeikou pass |
|---|---|
| Built | originally Northern Qi (550 to 577); the surviving walls were rebuilt in the Ming under the Hongwu emperor |
| Sections | a lake divides it into an east part with 16 towers and a gentler west part with 19 |
| Protected | national protected site since 2001; part of the Great Wall World Heritage Site |
| Access | closed in June 2010 and reopened to visitors in 2014; a cable car goes partway up |
Simatai Great Wall
Simatai is among the steepest and best-known sections of the wall. It runs 5.4 kilometers from Wangjing Tower in the east to Houchuankou in the west, and Chinese Wikipedia says it is famous both for its steepness and for keeping its original character after restoration. The western part has gentler slopes and well-preserved towers. The eastern part follows cliff edges and ridges. Between towers 15 and 16 east, the “sky bridge” is a wall about 30 centimeters wide with a drop on the south side, so for safety Chinese sources say visitors may go no farther than tower 12 east. Check the current rules before you go, since access has changed over time. The section links with Jinshanling to the west, which many hikers walk together with it.
The town and staying overnight
Gubei Water Town sits by the wall with canals, stone-style buildings, courtyard hotels and shops, and visitors usually pair it with an early start on the wall to avoid the crowds and the heat. Boat rides and evening lighting are the usual attractions. We have not verified opening hours, prices or the town’s history, so confirm them with your hotel or guide.
Planning your visit
Gubei and Simatai are a day or overnight trip from Beijing by road. Combine them with the Mutianyu or Badaling sections only if you want a different kind of wall; see our Great Wall page and our Beijing guide. Wear shoes with grip and carry water, because the steps are steep and uneven.
Planning Gubei with Absolute Asia Tours
Absolute Asia Tours has planned private trips in Asia since 1989. For Gubei that means a car from Beijing, a hotel in the town and a guide for the wall. We’re rated 4.8 out of 5 across about 900 traveler reviews. See our China tours or tell us your dates.
Sources (read in Chinese and English, Wikipedia): 司马台长城, Simatai. Last checked November 2026.
Gubei Water Town: FAQ
Where is Gubei Water Town?
In Miyun district, northeast of Beijing, beside the Simatai section of the Great Wall.
How long is the Simatai Great Wall?
5.4 kilometers, with 35 beacon towers.
When was Simatai reopened?
It closed in June 2010 and reopened to visitors in 2014.
Can you walk the whole Simatai wall?
Not all of it. A narrow “sky bridge” between towers 15 and 16 east is dangerous, and Chinese sources say visitors may go no farther than tower 12 east. Check current rules.
Can you stay overnight at Gubei?
Yes. The town has hotels, but check availability and facilities before you book.