Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town worth booking?
Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town is a 8.5-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $40 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $40 per person
This tour is a rare opportunity to experience two of Beijing’s most enchanting nighttime attractions in one evening. Witness the golden-lit Simatai Great Wall under starlight and immerse yourself in the vibrant nighttime
What you get
- Private Driver Service
- Private English Guide Service
- Modern Air-conditioned Vehicle
- Local Tax, Toll and Parking Fee
- Entrance Tickets
About this experience
This tour is a rare opportunity to experience two of Beijing’s most enchanting nighttime attractions in one evening. Witness the golden-lit Simatai Great Wall under starlight and immerse yourself in the vibrant nighttime energy of Gubei Water Town, complete with high-tech drone imagery and captivating water performances. Perfect for photographers, couples, or those seeking an intimate and unforgettable Chinese cultural adventure. Book now to secure your spot on this private, illuminated Great Wall & Gubei Water Town evening tour!
What's included
Included
- Private Driver Service
- Private English Guide Service
- Modern Air-conditioned Vehicle
- Local Tax, Toll and Parking Fee
- Entrance Tickets
Not included
- Meal, Drink and Personal Cost
- Gratuities for Good Service
What you'll see and do
Gubei Water Town
Often dubbed the "Venice of the East," Gubei Water Town is a picturesque water village nestled at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall. As night falls, the town transforms into a luminous wonderland. Highlights include: * Traditional Architecture & Scenic Canals: Wander through cobblestone streets lined with ancient-style buildings, cross charming stone bridges, and enjoy boat rides along tranquil canals, capturing the essence of traditional northern Chinese towns. * Cultural Attractions: Visit the Yongshun Dye House to try your hand at traditional dyeing techniques and explore the Sima Liquor Distillery to learn about and sample China's famous baijiu liquor. * Evening Entertainment: Experience the vibrant night scene with performances such as Peking Opera or acrobatics at the Grand Theater, and enjoy the stunning light and drone shows over Sun Moon Square.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Simatai Great Wall
Ascend to the Simatai Great Wall, situated approximately 1,200 meters above sea level, and renowned for its steep, rugged Ming Dynasty architecture. * Experience the wall like few do—with evening illumination from 5:30 PM in winter or 7:30 PM in summer, lasting until 9:30 PM. * Scenic Cable Car Ride: Skip the steep ascent with a cable car to Tower 5, unlocking panoramic views of Gubei Water Town lit up below. * Exclusive Night Access: Explore the atmospheric section between Towers 5 and 6—open only during evening hours—for a more authentic and intimate Great Wall experience. * Illuminated Mountain Views: Walk along the golden-lit Wall snaking over rugged peaks, reflecting off Gubei’s nightscape—and on clear nights, even the distant glow of Beijing city lights at Tower 16. * Photographer’s Dream & Romantic Escape: With fewer crowds, mystical lighting, and cool evening breezes, this nighttime tour is perfect for long-exposure shots and romantic strolls.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 120 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- cmn, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Encounter China Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Above ALL expectations
We choose Judy because of her ability to respond quickly and accurately and that impressed us. Also, and that might be a well kept secret, Judy calmed my wife because she could say few words in French! But above all, never ever have we enjoyed a private tour like this one. You want good reasons: Knowledgeable, she engages well, she's smiling (always!), she pays attention to details, the choice of visits and the care she takes of her customer is above any expectations. Not to mention that we had two different drivers (one at the beginning and one when we returned from our cruise) and both were big 10's! Their cars (both were driving Buick's) were new, clean, and their driving was safe and smooth. We also spent sometime to socialize and that was an instructive experience as well. And for those French Canadians that are scared because of the language barrier I would say: There was no barrier at all! Judy was just above any of all our expectations!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your incredible review! We’re thrilled that Judy’s quick responses, attention to detail, and even her little French skills made such a positive impact on your trip. It’s wonderful to hear that both drivers provided safe, smooth rides and that the entire experience exceeded your expectations. Your kind words mean the world to us, especially knowing we could make your private tour so memorable. We hope to welcome you back for many more unforgettable adventures!
via Tripadvisor
Different way to explore the Great Wall
Judy was recommended by a colleague and we contacted her for organizing a trip to see the Great Wall and water town at night. Judy replies us fast and she was always ready to help. The next day she arranged a spacious comfortable SUV for 4 of us. The driver Mr Zang was patient and friendly enough during the whole way while Judy as our guide was just amazing, kind, patient and absolutely outstanding. She was very insightful and well-organized and glad to satisfy any queries we had. She went out of her ways to make us as comfortable as possible. I definitely will be using her services in the future. Great person and great trip!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that Judy and Mr. Zang made your Great Wall and water town trip so comfortable and memorable. Judy truly enjoys going the extra mile to ensure our guests feel well cared for, and it’s fantastic to know her kindness and organization stood out to you. We look forward to assisting you again on your future adventures. Safe travels until then!
via Tripadvisor
A great day out escaping busy Beijing
This was a wonderful day out to a beautiful restored water town and the wall at night. Autumn is a lovely time of year to go. A highlight was the light show in the evening. Judy was a wonderful guide, excellent English and we learned so much from her. We really enjoyed the day and wished that we had more tours with Judy.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your lovely review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the water town, Great Wall, and light show, and that Judy made your day so special. We hope to welcome you on more tours soon!
via Tripadvisor
A wonderful experience!
Excellent guide in Judy, very charming and knowledgeable. Went to Gubei water town and the Great Wall at Simatai. The water town is very picturesque, lots of photo opportunities. If so inclined, also lots of activities in the village eg paper modelling, making kites, lanterns, etc. However we elected to climb up to the wall (25mins) and were not disappointed. The history here is amazing. The wall is steep here, hold on tight! But this adds to the magnificence of the views. Returning to the village by gondola, we found our guide had tracked down a western restaurant as one of us had become allergic to Chinese food (msg probably). Very thoughtful of her and appreciated. She also allowed us to deviate off to have a Starbucks! After dark we took the gondola up to the wall. All lit up. Fantastic to view from the village and from the wall. As it was my birthday the guide bought me a good luck wooden rectangle to hand on the wall, a Chinese custom like the padlocks on bridges, we think. This tour gave us abiding memories of the vastness of the wall and the length of Chinese history. Pluses: excellent knowledgeable and charming guide in Judy. Flexible tour in that we chose to visit the wall in daylight also as opposed to remaining in the village (highly recommend if adult). Magnificent views of lit up wall. Private car meant travel very comfortable. Negatives: very few, cigarette smell in car on return trip (common) as driver waits all trip for you and smokes like many of his compatriots. Probably smokes outside the car but brings smell in on clothes etc. Minor issue. We highly recommend this tour and this guide. The best of all the 5 days tripping we did.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $40 to $640
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town cost?
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Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Beijing usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town take?
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Plan for about 8.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Beijing is not rushed.
Is Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Beijing, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Beijing can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Beijing and add a light layer if any part of the 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beijing Evening Tour: Illuminated Great Wall and Gubei Water Town start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Beijing within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Beijing?
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On Outty we rank every Beijing experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mubus: Mutianyu Great Wall Bus Tour with Summer Palace Options, Beijing: Top 6 Highlights All Inclusive 2-Day Private Tour, Private Mutianyu Great Wall Trip With English-Speaking Driver. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Beijing?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Beijing?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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