Gubei and Simatai make a calmer Great Wall day. This private tour takes you out of central Beijing to two very different sights, with your own guide and driver so the day stays focused. I like that it’s fully private for your group, not a pick-and-hope shuffle with strangers.

Two things I especially like: you get time in Gubei Water Town to stroll canals and old streets without rushing, and you finish at Simatai Great Wall, a less-developed section where the vibe feels more historic than the big-name crowd routes. You also get a cable car ride up and down, so you can spend your energy on the parts you actually want.

One consideration: the day is about 9 hours, so it’s a real time commitment. Between the drive, walking in the town, and hiking on the wall, it helps to be ready for a long, outdoor-focused itinerary.

Key things to know before you go

• Fully private for your group with a professional guide and private vehicle
• Gubei Water Town is a Wuzhen-style water town replica, with distinct areas to wander
• Simatai Great Wall uses cable car access plus free time to hike and take in the views
• Lunch is included right after you arrive in the Simatai area
• Entrance fees and cable car round-trip are built into the price, so you’re not chasing add-ons
• Mobile ticket plus bottled water help keep the day easy

Private pickup, air-conditioned comfort, and a smooth schedule

This is the kind of tour setup that makes sense if you want a Great Wall day without the usual chaos. You’ll get hotel lobby pickup at a prearranged time, then settle into an air-conditioned vehicle for the drive toward Gubei Water Town.

The guide also doesn’t just “hold your ticket.” On the way, you’ll hear context and stories related to the Great Wall and the region, plus you’ll pass countryside scenery. That matters because it turns the trip into more than a checklist: you arrive with some ideas in your head, and everything clicks faster once you’re out there.

Because it’s private, your timing is yours. That’s a big deal on a day like this, where one group’s pace can easily ruin another group’s photos, lunch plans, or hiking stamina.

Gubei Water Town: canals, old streets, and a Wuzhen-style walk

Gubei Water Town is designed like a tribute to southern China’s water towns. It’s described as a replica of Wuzhen Water Town, and it shows in the way the streets and waterways are laid out for strolling.

Once you arrive, you’ll start a walking tour with your guide. You’ll have about 2 hours there, which is enough to do the highlights at an easy pace. The key is to think of it as “wandering with direction,” not a museum sprint.

What you can look forward to is variety inside the town. There are multiple areas you’ll move through, including Old Barracks Area, Minguo Street Area, Water Street Area, and Wonglong. Each zone tends to feel like a different chapter of the same water-town story, with shops, restaurants, and distinctive hotels to peek at.

What to expect on your walk

In practice, your guide helps you decide what’s worth pausing for. You’ll likely spend more time near the water features and the street lanes than you would in a normal town, because the layout is built for that slow “turn the corner, find something new” rhythm.

Also, keep in mind that this is a town with activity. You’ll see storefronts and places to eat, so it’s not a silent outdoor set. If you like photo stops, snack breaks, and casually browsing, this part of the day will feel very satisfying.

A realistic look at Gubei timing (and how not to waste it)

Two hours sounds short on paper, but for Gubei it’s usually the right length. Water towns are easy to overdo because they’re pleasant to walk, and suddenly you’ve lost an hour to wandering and shopping.

I’d plan to do a quick loop first, then slow down only once you’ve found your favorite streets. If you go hunting for every side passage from the start, you’ll end up rushing later—especially since you still have to reach Simatai and get on the wall.

One practical tip: wear shoes you trust. Even if the town is pretty and level-looking in photos, you’re still walking on streets and paths meant for people, not hiking boots. Bring light layers too. You’ll be outside most of the day, and the weather can change between the drive and the Great Wall area.

Simatai Great Wall with cable car: why this section feels more original

Now for the payoff: Simatai Great Wall. This is where your day shifts from strolling to standing still, looking far, and appreciating why this wall mattered.

Simatai is described as different from the more developed sections like Badaling, Juyongguan, and Mutianyu. Renovations here focus on essential reinforcement work, while the original appearance is preserved more than in heavily modernized sections. The goal is that you still feel the historic atmosphere rather than a theme-park version of the wall.

There’s also a meaningful historical anchor. Simatai was constructed under the supervision of Qi Jiguang, a famous general. Having that context in your head makes the stones feel less random. You’re walking a system, not just visiting a landmark.

And yes, it includes cable car access. You’ll be taken by cable car to reach the top of the Great Wall, then you’ll have free time to hike around, enjoy the scenery, and overlook the area—including views of Gubei Water Town from the wall.

The hiking part: what to plan for on Simatai

Even with a cable car up, Simatai still asks you to move. Your time includes free hiking, so your experience will depend on how far you decide to go from the cable car drop-off points.

Think of it like this: you’re not doing an all-day trekking route, but you are choosing your own intensity. If you want panoramic views without going too far, you can keep it short and still enjoy the wall’s drama. If you want more, you’ll likely find yourself climbing and walking sections that feel steeper and more rugged than the easier wall climbs people expect.

Pacing is key. Save your legs for the moments when you want to stop, look, and breathe. The best “wow” factor on the Great Wall usually hits when you’re not rushing your steps.

Also, bring your sense of curiosity. Simatai’s preserved look means you’ll notice textures and construction details more than you would on smoother, more heavily restored stretches. That’s one of the ways this section earns its strong reputation.

Cable car round-trip and photo time: the small decisions that matter

Cable car round-trip is included, which gives you flexibility. You can spend your energy on the wall instead of losing time negotiating transportation at the top.

For photos, the cable car timing matters. You’ll go up by cable car, then hike with free time, then ride back down when you’re ready to leave. If you want steady shooting without sprinting, give yourself a window after the climb to slow down and reposition.

One more detail that helps: your free time includes the chance to overlook the entire Gubei Water Town. That view can shift depending on where you stop, so don’t assume there’s only one “best spot.” Walk a bit, check the angles, then commit.

Lunch in the village: built into the rhythm of the day

You’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch in the village after you arrive at Simatai. Since lunch is included, you’re not stuck figuring out what’s nearby while the clock keeps ticking.

This stop also works with the tour flow. You’re fresh enough after the morning portion, but not so early that you feel rushed. Then the lunch acts like a buffer before the wall hike, especially if you plan to walk longer than the minimum.

What I like about this design is that it reduces decision fatigue. You don’t have to guess where to eat, bargain for menus, or worry about finding a place that can handle your timing. You simply eat, refuel, and head back to the wall.

What you’re paying $248 for (and when it feels like value)

At $248 per person, this is not a bargain-bin outing. But it can be a strong value if you measure it the way your day actually works: private guide, private transport, entrance fees, cable car round trip, lunch, bottled water, plus the convenience of pickup.

For a Great Wall day, those add up fast when you do it independently. Entrance fees and cable car costs alone can make a “cheap” plan expensive once you include a driver, guide time, and the travel time friction of coordinating everything.

The private setup is the real cost driver, and it’s also the main benefit. You’re not wasting energy waiting for a group, or stuck with a pace you didn’t choose. If you’re traveling with a partner, family, or a small set of friends, that private focus often turns into better value per hour than splitting taxis and hoping schedules line up.

Also, the tour is usually booked about 12 days in advance on average, which suggests it’s a popular way to do Simatai and Gubei together without stress.

Who should book this Gubei + Simatai private tour

This tour fits best if you want a classic Great Wall highlight but with a calmer feel. It’s ideal for people who:

• Prefer a private guided day over joining a larger group
• Want a mix of atmosphere (Gubei) and iconic history (Simatai)
• Appreciate clear logistics: pickup, tickets, cable car, entrance fees, and lunch handled
• Care about less-crowded energy and a more preserved section of the wall

If you’re someone who enjoys guided storytelling while you travel, this plan is especially good. The guide will share history and stories during the drive and help you connect what you’re seeing at each stop.

Should you book this Gubei Water Town and Simatai tour?

If your goal is a well-run, private day that combines a charming water town and a less-developed Great Wall section, I’d say it’s worth booking. The inclusion list is practical—guide, entrance fees, cable car round-trip, and lunch—so you get fewer surprises and more time enjoying the places.

I’d only hesitate if you know you want a very lightweight walk-only experience. Simatai includes hiking time, and the overall schedule is about nine hours. But if you can handle a long day of steps, this is a strong way to do both sights without the usual crowd pressure.

FAQ

How long is the private tour to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall?

It runs about 9 hours (approx.).

What are the main stops on this day trip?

You’ll visit Gubei Water Town and then head to the Simatai Great Wall.

Is the cable car included for Simatai Great Wall?

Yes. The tour includes the cable car round trip at the Great Wall.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it’s described as a local lunch in the village.

Do you get hotel pickup and private transport?

Pickup is offered from your hotel lobby at a prearranged time, and you travel by private vehicle.

What if my plans change and I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount you paid is not refunded.

You Might Also Enjoy

Exclusive Mutianyu Great Wall and Summer Palace Private Day TourPearl River Night Cruise in Guangzhou with Private TransferShanghai By Night: Amazing River Cruise and Hot Pot DinningTongli Water Town Visit and Courtyard Lifestyle Experience at Jinze Water Village