Winter Stroll Through Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall

This early winter, Ioana embarked on a journey to Gubei Water Town, a scenic getaway in the Chinese mainland's Beijing outskirts. Nestled at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, the village blends Song dynasty-style architecture with serene canals and stone-paved streets.

With over 20 kilometers of waterways and 48 stone arch bridges, Gubei Water Town invites visitors onto riverside paths lined with red lanterns and traditional tea houses. Ioana followed a winding stone walkway that traced the edge of a mirror-like river, pausing to admire reflections of wooden balconies and snow-dusted roofs.

Above the town, the Simatai section of the Great Wall rises sharply along jagged ridges. Ioana scaled a stone staircase to reach a watchtower, where panoramic views stretched across frosted pines and winding ramparts—a reminder of the region's thousand-year history and enduring human spirit.

For digital nomads and modern travelers, Gubei Water Town offers surprisingly reliable Wi-Fi hotspots, cozy cafés housed in restored merchant homes, and sustainable touches like solar-powered street lamps and electric boats gliding along the canals. It’s a perfect blend of heritage and convenience for a productive day away from city crowds.

Accessible via a two-hour shuttle from Beijing's Miyun district, Gubei Water Town is ideal for a day trip or an overnight stay in riverside inns. Later this month, the Lantern Festival on December 15 will light up the town with hundreds of floating lanterns, making it a must-visit for early winter adventurers. Don’t forget to pack warm layers and your camera—this winter wonderland awaits.

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A stroll through Beijing's Gubei Water Town

cgtn.com