Gubei Water Town is a beautifully restored Yangtze-style water town at the foot of the Simatai section of the Great Wall, about 140 km northeast of Beijing. It is famous for its canals, Ming-style courtyard guesthouses, and for being the only Great Wall section that is floodlit for night visits — making it one of Beijing's most magical evening experiences.
Our Gubei + Simatai private car is designed for the classic day: drive up in the afternoon, explore the water town, take the cable car up to Simatai, watch the Wall light up at dusk, then return to Beijing after dinner. From $180 for a full-day charter with driver waiting on site.
Distances & Driving Time
| Route | Distance | Driving Time |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing hotel → Gubei Water Town | ~140 km | 2-2.5 hours |
| Capital Airport (PEK) → Gubei Water Town | ~130 km | 2 hours |
| Gubei Water Town → Simatai Great Wall gate | ~2 km | 5 min / cable car |
| Gubei → Jinshanling Great Wall | ~30 km | 40 min |
Gubei Water Town + Simatai Private Car Rates
Full-day charter (approx. 10 hours incl. night return) with professional driver. Fixed price — no hidden fees. Driver waits in the water town parking area. Overtime at $15/hour; late-night return surcharge may apply.
| Vehicle | Seats | Full-Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| VW Passat / Toyota Camry | 1-3 seats | $180 ~¥1296 |
| Buick GL8 (MPV) | 4-6 seats | $220 ~¥1584 |
| Mercedes V-Class | 7-8 seats | $300 ~¥2160 |
Why Choose Our Private Car
- The only Great Wall near Beijing open for floodlit night visits
- Combine a Jiangnan-style water town with a wild Wall section
- Professional driver handles the 2.5-hour mountain drive
- Driver waits while you explore both town and Wall
- Fixed pricing before booking, no hidden fees
- All fuel, tolls, parking and bottled water included
Suggested Gubei Water Town + Simatai Itinerary
Highlights & Options
🏘️ Gubei Water Town
Easy2-3 hours Canals
A replica of southern China's water towns built on a mountain slope. Stroll stone bridges, ride the gondola, and browse craft shops and teahouses before dusk.
🌉 Simatai Great Wall (Night)
Challenging1.5-2 hours Floodlit
A steep, wild section hanging over a river gorge. Cable car takes you up; from there you hike restored watchtowers. The night illumination is uniquely spectacular.
🌅 Optional daytime Simatai
Moderate3-4 hours Day hike
If you prefer daylight, we can depart earlier and hike Simatai during the day. It connects westward to Jinshanling for serious hikers.
What's Included
Included
- Private sedan / MPV for the day
- Professional, English-friendly driver
- Hotel pickup & drop-off
- All fuel, tolls, parking
- Bottled water
- Driver waiting on site
Not Included
- Gubei Water Town entrance (~$25-35/person)
- Simatai entrance + cable car (~$30/person)
- Dinner
- Licensed tour guide
- Tips