Ancient Town/Great Wall/Hot Springs/Delicious Food: Enjoy the Slow Autumn Time in Gubei Water Town

Number of days：3 days
Time: October
Average cost: 1500 yuan
With whom: and friends
Tour kinds: Food, Photography, Self-driving, Weekend Tours
The author went to these places： Gubei Water Town Yongshun Dyeing Factory Sun and Moon Island Square Mountaintop Church Yang Wudi Temple

In late autumn, Beijing becomes the Peking described by Lao She.

At this moment, Gubei Water Town, at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall, gradually changes color. The streets and alleys are covered with crimson leaves, reflected in the winding stream, evoking the idea that "autumn in Peking is paradise."

In this favorite season, with its clear skies and warm sunshine, I've come here to treat myself to three days of slow living and a rendezvous with autumn. The border-guarding Gubeikou area, with its rugged and dangerous terrain, was once an important place for garrisoning troops, earning it the reputation of "the key to the capital." Built on the site of Gubei Water Town, with the winding Simatai Great Wall at its back, it is dotted with ancient buildings reminiscent of the Ming, Qing, and Republican periods. Black-sailed boats ply the shimmering Tang River, giving the area the rugged simplicity of a northern town and the delicate elegance of a Jiangnan water town.

And places brimming with poetry are filled with stories.

History and culture are the richest essence of Gubei Water Town. Traditional Chinese culture is preserved and carried forward here, and the craftsmanship is truly remarkable.

Sit quietly and paint a sand martin kite at the Wind House Kite Culture Museum, letting it blossom in your hands before gently releasing it under the guidance of a master kite artist. In that moment, it's as if you've been transported back to the carefree days of your childhood.

Night falls, but the beauty of Gubei Water Town continues.

As the saying goes, "He who hasn't visited the Great Wall is not a true man." Simatai, nestled alongside the ancient town, is the only section of the Great Wall that retains its original Ming Dynasty appearance. Built along the precipitous mountainside, it is renowned for its uniqueness, distinctiveness, and danger.

Furthermore, Simatai is the only section of the Great Wall open at night.

As we climbed slowly up the cable car, the ancient town gradually receded from view, and the Great Wall, illuminated by the twinkling lights, gradually became clearer.

The Great Wall, having lost some of its daytime grandeur, now softened by the charming halo.

Up to the summit, the mountaintop church at night is even more romantic than during the day.

The outdoor terrace of the mountaintop cafe offers the best view of Gubei Water Town. Despite the crisp autumn night air, I persevered, leaning over the balcony with a cup of hot coffee, lingering over the dim lights.

Water Town Food Street is lined with quaint, authentic eateries selling qiaotou cakes, tofu corners, conch noodles, and clay pot rice. Even at lunchtime, you'll have to queue.

The tranquility of the late nights, the radiant sunrises of the early morning—do you long for Gubei Water Town like I do? Then staying here is the perfect way to experience it.

The ancient town boasts a variety of hotels and inns, catering to every vacation need.

The Thirteenth Sisters Women's Hot Spring Hotel, located near Wangjing Street, features warm and elegant wood tones, and each room has its own private hot spring.

As the autumn nights cool, the courtyard, enveloped in the hazy glow of yellow lights and the ethereal warmth of hot springs, offers a refreshing respite.

Located in the Langu District, Hangu Villa Hotel enjoys a tranquil setting nestled between mountains and water. The hotel boasts a modern exterior and stylish rooms.

The sunlight pours into the room through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Nestling on the tatami or sofa, you’ll feel lazy and don’t want to go out.

(2) Walking towards the outskirts of the town, you will find many places with dense red leaves but few tourists, such as the alley in front of the Eight Banners Inn, the alley outside the side door of the Yongshun Dyeing Factory, the road between the Royal Melon Garden, the stone road and alley outside the Yang Wudi Temple, and the steps, alleys, and stone bridges along the riverbank when walking from the main road down to the river.

(3) The red leaves are highly saturated, so it is recommended to wear simple, plain clothes. Renting a set of Hanfu (Chinese folk costume) will go well with the architecture of the scenic area. The scenic area holds several events every autumn. This year's Red Leaf Festival has a two-dimensional theme, and many cosplay and Hanfu costumes seem to bring the ancient town back to history.

(4) The temperature difference between morning and evening is large in autumn, so be sure to keep warm.