Ever imagined wandering through ancient streets flanked by snow-dusted rooftops and lantern-lit canals? Gubei Water Town — nestled at the foot of Beijing’s Great Wall in Miyun District — offers this dreamlike blend of history and seasonal charm. The UNESCO-adjacent site (Simatai Village) combines preserved Ming-Qing dynasty architecture with immersive cultural experiences, from hot spring baths to traditional craft workshops.
Dubbed “the Wuzhen of the North,” its “six zones and three valleys” layout invites exploration of quaint bridges, theaters, and cliffside landscapes. Winter travelers can sip warm rice wine while admiring the Great Wall’s silhouette — a photogenic collision of human ingenuity and nature’s grandeur.
With cross-generational appeal, the town is emerging as a sustainable tourism hotspot, balancing heritage conservation with modern comforts. As global wanderlust shifts toward meaningful, slow travel, Gubei taps into the zeitgeist: proving that some of China’s most breathtaking stories are written in stone, water, and winter frost.
Reference(s):
Live: Gubei Water Town: An attraction at the foot of the Great Wall
cgtn.com
