In the past few days when I returned to Beijing, the weather was really sultry, and it was annoying to stay there. I just wanted to go to the surrounding mountains to relax for two days.

So I drove to Gubei Water Town and stayed in Water Town for two days to find peace of mind, just like the artistic conception in this poem: "Why don't you have to live on the mountains and water banks, and feel at ease everywhere?"

There have been obvious differences between the north and south of China since ancient times. When talking about the south, the small bridges and flowing water have long shrouded our eyes, as well as the silent rain alleys. When talking about the north, cold mountains and dilapidated ancient city walls will naturally appear in your mind.

These two environments, which could not have any intersection, were discovered when walking into Gubei Water Town: There was such a place that perfectly combined the heroic majesty of the north with the gentleness and grace of the south. Gubeishui Town, located in Gubeikou, Miyun District, Beijing City, is the poetry of small bridges and flowing water. Behind it is the Simatai Great Wall with a long history and magnificent scenery, and clear water like Yuanyang Lake.

It was already afternoon when we arrived in Gubei Water Town, so we should check in at the booked hotel first. There are many hotels in Gubei Water Town: 10 boutique hotels, 4 themed hotels, 27 B & Bs and inns, with more than 40 hotels to choose from. This time, I chose the Mucheng Boutique Hotel, which just opened this year. The reason is that in the innermost part of the scenic area, except for the chirping of birds and insects, it is really quiet and without any disturbance.

Mucheng Boutique Hotel has a "blank space" geometric design, a simple home style, and a spacious area of 80-90 square meters. It really makes people feel like they are at home, comfortable and casual. This is what a vacation should be.

There are huge floor-to-ceiling windows in the room, with the curtains drawn open, and the mountain scenery comes into your eyes: the cold and steep mountains in the distance, and the gurgling water outside the window, which naturally calms down.

If you like a more personalized hotel, then Huotang, which also opens this year, is a good choice. The hotel's strong ethnic design is also the most attractive point. Even when you look up and see the circular patio, you will see the picture of a big fish and a crabapple, as well as the deep sound of footsteps on the floor. It is always like a movie with rich connotations, making people intoxicated. If it is rainy, sitting in the corridor and looking at the dripping rain from the eaves, time seems to slow down. Or soak in the bathtub in your room and enjoy the view of the Simatai Great Wall outside. There are also invincible indoor swimming pools, bars and other places to relax.

If you want to get closer to nature, you will definitely like the Great Wall Star Tent Camp specially launched in the town in summer. This is also a place that is very popular with children and couples. There are scattered tents, and between the grass and trees, you can feel the breath of nature everywhere.

Gubei Water Town is a place worth tasting slowly. If we say that those places with famous residences and cultural heritage are a cup of sweet and warm green tea. That Gubei Water Town is a bowl of mixed liquor, rough and experienced vicissitudes.

Apart from Gubei Water Town itself, the Simatai Great Wall, which stretches for hundreds of miles behind it, has to be said that it was built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty. From the water town, it is like the bold brush writing written by the poet, climbing up the mountain and walking the dragon snake. Also like a warrior, his majestic body withstands the long time while protecting the peace of the town. As a battleground for military strategists in history, from the Northern Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, from a generation of prodigies to veterans on the battlefield, this place has experienced ups and downs for hundreds of years.

Walking in the streets and alleys of Gubei Water Town, you will gradually be attracted by the culture you feel. Perhaps it is the melodious opera tone, or the shadow puppet show that uses the transformation of light and shadow to the extreme, or it exudes a strong aroma of wine, an old winery "Sima Xiaoshao" that can be found even with your eyes closed...

At the Yongshun Dyeing Factory in the town, you can understand the surprise plants bring to life: different plants dye different colors of cloth. So the colors appear even more colorful in this dyeing workshop. There are also Kite Cultural Center, New Year Painting Workshop, and Jiankun Lantern Shop, all of which are cultures passed down by ingenuity. Traditional skills present the most essence of culture to tourists here.

Gubei Water Town has a charming charm that attracts people to explore, and also because of the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan, this spectacular and gentle scenery intertwined can always remind people of chivalry and tenderness. It's like accidentally entering the Zhenyuan Escort Agency, which makes people can't help but see a picture here: whether they are martial or chivalry. The Eight Banners Guild Hall, with exquisite patterns carved on the eaves and corners of the pavilions, also has the beauty of the building that cannot be concealed. So, slow down, slowly walk through the bluestone path in Shuizhen, and find your scenery.

As the night begins to rise, the lights in the water town gradually fade. If you stood high at this time and looked down at the scenery in front of you, it would be like the peace of thousands of homes. So, following the path to the top of the mountain, you will find the best place to see the night view of Gubei Water Town: the Hilltop Church.

Listening to the choir's singing, forgetting your troubles with the peaceful music, and appreciating the beauty of the night with a knowing smile. The starry sky lecture hall attracts the curiosity of children. In such a night, looking at the starry sky and understanding the magic of the universe will be unforgettable for children.

Coming down from the hilltop church, you can go to Riyue Island Square, which houses the busiest Star Beer Night Market at night. Speaking of which, I have to say that every day in Gubei Water Town is like a festival at night. The ancient and modern characters on the stage here interpret the various aspects of life and appreciate the charm of the opera, so they are naturally intoxicated by it. In front of the vendor's stall, it also attracts the eyes of children. The magic of the sugar blower, the exquisiteness of the dough maker, and the good skills of drawing snuff bottles...

A day in water town ended unknowingly. With the cool evening breeze blowing, I returned to Mucheng Hotel and lay down on the comfortable big bed to fall asleep safely.

In the early morning, climb the Simatai Great Wall, do Great Wall yoga, and experience the feeling of integrating man with nature and soul. The sunshine of the morning shines warmly on the body, and the chirping of birds and insects is the best sound of nature. Stretch your body in a breath and close your eyes to meditate on the freedom and peace between heaven and earth. Tips: In-house guests living in Gubei Water Town can make an early morning Great Wall yoga experience.

(The Simatai Great Wall is the only section of the ancient Great Wall that retains the original appearance of the Ming Great Wall. The city wall is built along the steep mountains and is famous for its strangeness, uniqueness and danger. It is divided into east and west sections by Yuanyang Lake. It was given the Simatai Great Wall by the ancient architect Mr. Luo Zhe: The Great Wall of China is the greatest in the world, and the Simatai Great Wall can be called the greatest "praise" of the Great Wall of China.)

Come down from the Great Wall after yoga, enjoy a good breakfast, and start a new day of water town play mode. It is said that there are at least 40 joys in life: lying high, sitting quietly, tasting wine, trying tea, reading books, posing invitations, overlooking, touring mountains, playing in the water, visiting ancient times, seeking tranquility, and summer heat... In Gubei Water Town, this day takes up several pleasures: tasting wine, tasting tea, overlooking, touring mountains, playing with water, visiting ancient times, seeking tranquility, and summer heat... Because there are many places to visit and many projects to experience in Gubei Water Town. For example: DIY tie-dyeing experience in Yongshun Dyeing Workshop, DIY shadow puppet characters in paper-cutting shadow puppet shop, DIY kite experience in Kite Culture Center, etc.

If you are bringing children, then the children's playhouse is a playground for children. From the pine forest hall to the archaeological cave, to the wishing fountain and the racing track, every place is very unique, and the novel ways to play make children enjoy it. The naughty castle, reading room and trampoline, etc., Zhang Youchi is very popular among children.

In Riyue Island Square in Water Town, there is also a bubble summer specially prepared for children, allowing cute babies to play wantonly in the white foam.

A night tour of the Great Wall is a must-miss experience when visiting Gubei Water Town. It is also the only Great Wall in China that is currently open for night tours. Carrying a small lantern, I climbed the Great Wall in the night. Looking at the scattered lights in the distance, my thoughts gradually filled me. When the drone Kongming Lantern Show lit up, it was instantly shocked. Standing on the Great Wall and looking at the changing light and shadow in the sky in the distance, it was really amazing. I think anyone who proposes in the future can consider coming to Gubei Water Town. When visiting the Great Wall at night, if he proposes to someone he loves in this way, he will definitely go crazy with happiness.

I have seen the shocking drone Kongming Lantern Show from high places, the Great Wall, and the Great Wall Music and Water Dance Show that can't be missed. With the ups and downs of the music, the rhythm of the fountain suddenly high and low, and the beauty of the lights and dance have become a wonderful place in Shuicheng at night.

In addition to playing, delicious food is also one of the joys of coming to Gubei Water Town. There are many specialty restaurants in Shuizhen, including Simagang Restaurant, Gubei Spicy Restaurant, Jingyue Tea House, Guguan Hot Pot City, Roast Meat Restaurant... There are also specialty snacks: Gubei Roasted Pear, Qiaotou Cake, Beef Roast, Qijia Beef Offal, etc.

During the two days of wandering around Water Town, I didn't taste the same. The first is the Flavor Restaurant on Wangjing Street. The specialty here is Shandong cuisine. Maybe it's because I have a heavy taste, I will like the dishes very much when they are cooked. So I love the taste here, so among many restaurants, I naturally recommend this place. There is also the Beijing-Guangdong Tea House, which is also a favorite restaurant for tourists. Beijing roast duck, Cantonese roast goose, shrimp dumpling rice noodles, and old Beijing fried noodles... combine the cuisine of the north and south, allowing you to choose from your tastes.

There are also stores full of tonality such as Yunduan Coffee, Qianshan Tea House, and Lotus Beer Courtyard, where you can slow down and enjoy the time quietly.

Holidays are easy to be short, but Shuizhen can come often. In Gubei Water Town, there are countless beautiful scenery and fun from morning to night. As long as you immerse yourself in it, you will slowly discover the unique beauty.

TIPS: Traffic Information of Gubei Water Town

Self-driving route from Beijing

After getting off at Simatai Exit No. 24 of Beijing-Chengde Expressway, turn left on the right ramp for about 2 minutes.

Railway routes from Beijing

Take Metro Line 13 to Huoying Station, walk about 323 meters to Huangtudian Station of "Huaimi Line", then take the "Huaimi Line" train (heading for Huairou North), get off at Gubeikou Station, and from Gubeikou Station Take the Gubeishui Town special line to Gubeishui Town.

Direct train route from Beijing

Take Metro Line 2 to Dongzhimen, and change to the Beijing-Gubei Water Town special line direct train at Dongzhimen Outer Bus Station (at the junction of Dongzhimen Outer Xie Street and Xiangheyuan South Street, 942 and 855 buses). Gubei Water Town is expected to reach Gubei Water Town in 120 minutes. (Tickets are purchased half an hour in advance until full)

Bus routes from Beijing

Take No. 980 from Dongzhimen, get off at Miyun West Bridge Station, transfer to No. 51 bus, get off at Simatai Village Station, and walk to Gubeishui Town.