
Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour
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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
4.7/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour worth booking?
Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour is a 10-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $8 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (7)
- Duration
- 10 hours
- From
- $8 per person
Two famous locations for cultural experiences around Beijing are the Simatai area of the Great Wall and Gubei Water Town.You'll be visiting both these locations, exploring their landscapes, and learning about their past
What you get
About this experience
Two famous locations for cultural experiences around Beijing are the Simatai area of the Great Wall and Gubei Water Town.You'll be visiting both these locations, exploring their landscapes, and learning about their past and significance to Chinese culture.Starting in Gubei Water Town, you'll see the famous Mandarin Duck Lake Reservoir that holds the water flowing through the town itself.Admire the northern architectural style of its carefully preserved old buildings, standing in elegance and full of street shows, before proceeding to the next destination close by. Against Gubei Water Town's lake is the Simatai area of the iconic Great Wall of China.This UNESCO World Heritage site has been partially restored, allowing you to climb up upon the battlements to take in the marvelous views of the jagged mountains and their greenery.The view changes throughout the seasons, casting new colors with every visit.Your tour ends back in downtown Beijing at the drop off.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
5 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **One of the best...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **One of the best days of our trip!** We had an amazing day visiting **Simatai Great Wall** and **Gubei Water Town**. Everything was very well organized, and the whole experience exceeded our expectations. A big thank you to our guide, **Christina**. She contacted us the evening before with all the information we needed about the meeting point, which made everything easy and stress-free. She also gave us great tips on how to spend our time, where to have lunch, and suggested taking the cable car up to the Great Wall. We followed her advice, and it made the day even better. Both Simatai and Gubei Water Town are absolutely worth visiting. Gubei is a beautiful place to walk around, and the views from the Great Wall are simply incredible. What we loved most was how quiet it was. Once we reached the wall, there were hardly any other visitors, so we could really take our time and enjoy the views. If you're looking for a Great Wall experience away from the crowds, we highly recommend this tour. Thanks again, Christina, for your kindness, helpful advice, and enthusiasm. You helped make this one of the most memorable days of our trip to China!
via Viator
Best view of the wall
The views from the wall are incredible and worth the trip there. The tour is very long and there was a lot of time wasted waiting for people or for the guide to go through the chinese version of the explanation. They plan three hours for you to spend in the water town, which for us at least was more of a nice stroll, but not a place we wanted to deeply explore. You return around 10pm which is too late after an already long day.
via Viator
The perfect trip
I booked this trip for my friend, and this is her feedback. An incredible experience. Maybe it's because the product is new, there aren't many reviews, but the service is amazing! The tour guide said that they have been a travel agency in Beijing for sixteen years. Simatai and Gubei Water Town are both very peaceful and lovely (we went in late May). The scenery is magnificent and pleasant throughout the journey. The guide was excellent, the explanation was clear and easy to understand (English was our native language), she was very patient, the bus was comfortable and the transfer was easy. The lunch was delicious, it was a hot pot, very good experience. It's worth the money. The boat tour is as beautiful as a painting. Everything they suggested felt like a really good choice, I would recommend this trip to my friends, it was awesome.
via Viator
Wonderful visit without overcrowding
The water city is small but very charming. At the wall, we were practically alone. Perfect option to spend the day without rush, eating typical food (if one wants). We took the funicular round trip to also enjoy the village without stress. Our local guide (Christina) was very funny, kind, and provided very clear explanations. There were people who chose not to take the boat or restaurant, others did the night tour; in any case, she gave us tips for each situation so that everyone could organize their day as they wished. Totally recommendable
via Viator (translated)
Wonderful day trip from Beijing
We decided to book the trip, even though on TripAdvisor there were no reviews and not so many details about how we will meet the guide. In the end all was great. Our guide, Susie, was very well organized, with clear info. You get the evening before a message from your guide and how to meet. We decided to take the day tour of the wall and visit the town after. Also, we chose to take a one way up cable car only. There is plenty of time to do this, you need only medium physical condition to do the entire wall. For us, with a 15 year old girl, it took us 2.5 hours going up by cable car, walk to tower 8 directly, walk to tower 10, walk back to tower 2 and walk back to the entrance (which is a 30 min walk). In the end, you leave at 20.00 from Gubei, which also allows you to see the city at night, which is lovely.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 10 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $8 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|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour take?
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Plan for about 10 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|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour 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 (4.7/5 across 7 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|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour?
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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|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour?
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Around 2 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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Beijing|Gubei Water Town & Simatai Great Wall Day Tour 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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