Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town
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September 2026
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Who is going?
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
4.9/5
Based on 42 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town worth booking?
Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town is a 7-hour experience in Beijing, China, from $88 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 42 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 74 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (42)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $88 per person
Ideal for a day trip to Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town, we offer 2 tailored packages to match your needs, with vehicles sized to your group number: Private Transfer Only: Choose any departure time (14:00 or lat
What you get
About this experience
Ideal for a day trip to Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town, we offer 2 tailored packages to match your needs, with vehicles sized to your group number: Private Transfer Only: Choose any departure time (14:00 or later is recommended for Gubei Water Town’s stunning night views). Enjoy door-to-door service from your Beijing hotel in an air-conditioned private car; explore at your own pace, then return to your hotel comfortably. Private Transfer + Guided Tour: Enjoy all transfer perks plus a knowledgeable guide who will accompany you and share vivid historical stories of the two spots. All entrance fees (Simatai Great Wall, Gubei Water Town, and Great Wall round-trip cable car) are included—no extra costs! Simatai Great Wall is a UNESCO-listed, well-preserved Ming Dynasty section with dramatic cliffside watchtowers and unspoiled scenery, while Gubei Water Town charms with traditional northern Chinese architecture, tranquil lakes, and enchanting night lights.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Cable car round trip at the Great Wall
- Round-trip private transfer
- Tour guide if you choose option 2
- Entrance fee
- Hotel pickup and drop-off(For Hotels with then 4th ring road of Beijing City)
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Tour guide if you choose option 1 to use transfer only
What you'll see and do
Gubei Water Town
We offer two tailored packages for your trip—pick the one that fits your needs best—with flexible departure times from morning till evening; we recommend setting off after 14:00 if you wish to catch the stunning night views of Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town. Both packages include all entrance tickets for Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town, plus round-trip cable car fares for the Great Wall, and we will arrange vehicles ranging from 5-seater cars to 55-seater coaches based on your group size. Your driver (or driver plus guide for the guided package) will meet you at the lobby of your downtown Beijing hotel at the prearranged time, with an extra fee applying if pick-up is from the airport. Then you can hop aboard your air-conditioned private vehicle and enjoy a relaxing 2-hour ride to Gubei Water Town, where you can take a nap, gaze at the countryside scenery along the way, or grab complimentary mineral water and light snacks provided on board.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Simatai Great Wall
Upon arrival, your driver will assist you with collecting all the included tickets, then show you the designated waiting area in the parking lot where he will stay for your return. For the transfer-only package, you can start your self-guided adventure at Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town at your own pace; for the transfer + guide package, your knowledgeable guide will accompany you into both attractions, leading you to the best photo spots and sharing fascinating stories about the sites’ history and culture. After your exploration, meet your driver at the agreed spot and enjoy a smooth ride back to your Beijing hotel. Please note that our drivers may not speak English, but they are equipped with multilingual translators to ensure hassle-free communication.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Options you can book
Guide+Transer+Tickets
Guide+Transer+Tickets: Choose this option to have a tour guide and private transfer to visit Gubei Water town and Simatai, tickets included. Pickup included
Private Transfer +Entrance fee
Transfer and Tickets: Your driver will pick you up in your hotel's lobby.Entrance fee to Simatai Great Wall and Gubeikou Water Town included,Cable car round trip for the Great Wall also included. Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Beijing Driver Guide Service
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The Great Wall cable car service may be suspended at any time due to adverse weather conditions. If the cable car stops operating during your tour, we will fully refund the cable car ticket fee.
- Please select your departure time according to your travel needs. We recommend departing after 14:00 if you wish to enjoy the night view of Gubei Water Town. Please note that daytime and nighttime Great Wall tickets are separate and non-interchangeable—you cannot access both the daytime and nighttime sections with a single ticket.
- The standard duration of our service is 8–9 hours. For any time exceeding 9 hours, an overtime fee of USD 15 per hour is required for the driver alone. If you have booked the package with a guide, the overtime fee will be USD 30 per hour (USD 15 for the driver and USD 15 for the guide).
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 42 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
42 verified traveler reviews for Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lights on the wall!
Tony was a good tour guide as he taught us about the history of the wall as well as a little about the zodiac on our car ride north. As we arrived he took care of our tickets and walked us into the watertown. He made sure to give us plenty of time to take it all in, being patient with our pace up to the wall as well as down it, and we had many laughs along the way. He picked a good spot for us to sit and wait for the lights to come on which is a must see. Once you are back in the watertown we saw a bit of a show and the lights were gorgeous. Tony and our driver were fantastic!
via Tripadvisor
Definitely worth the detour
Solo trip in the care of Zhao Zhongyue who has really gone all out to make my trip enjoyable. Even the downpours didn't dampen the enjoyment today. Gubei is a wonderful place to explore (but probably even better in the sunshine). It can be a little confusing to navigate though as there isn't one natural path to the cable cars, but all off this adds to the charm. As for Simatai, the final steps up are a little tough, but nothing can beat seeing the sunset (and in my case the lightning) over the great wall. Zhao tailored the day to suit me, giving me the opportunity to be flexible and went over and above so that I didn't get wet and even sorting my phone out when it got wet. Highly recommended!
via Tripadvisor
Safe driver, great day :D
Our driver, Zhen Lihui, arrived early to our hotel and picked us up as soon as we were done. He also took care of buying the tickets as described on Viator. He was a safe and friendly driver, messaging the day before and all throughout the tour day. He drove my family in a large air conditioned van. Could not ask for anything more from a driver. We really enjoyed being able to walk around at our own pace without a guide. There are many restaurant options, but don't plan on souvenir shopping. We also recommend purchasing the additional ticket in person to ride the boat back after The Wall. Bring your hat and walking shoes.
via Viator
Thanks Jack!
Had a lovely driver named Jack, he drove safely and was very kind, definitely recommend
via Tripadvisor
Excellent trip to the Great Wall at sunset
Excellent trip with our guide Anson. Very smooth drive to the Great Wall in a swish car, fruit & water provided. Anson was very knowledgeable and informative about the history of Beijing & the Great Wall and answered lots of questions. Grabbed some food in the supermarket then got the cable car up to the wall. The sunset view was amazing. We then had a lovely wander round the Water Town and saw the light show. Anson knew all the best spots and when to be at them, as well as all the best photo spots. Would really recommend this tour and it was definitely worth having the guide.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $88 to $356
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 74
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Beijing.
How much does Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town cost?
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Prices start at $88 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 Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 42 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 Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai 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 Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai 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 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai Great Wall and Gubei Water Town?
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Around 15 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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Beijing Transfer: Simatai 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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