Miyun 密云区 — Water Towns, Ancient Walls & Mountain Reservoirs
Miyun (密云区) is Beijing's largest district by area, stretching deep into the Yanshan Mountains in the city's northeast. It's home to Beijing's most romantic attraction — Gubei Water Town, a reconstructed Northern-style water town with the dramatic Simatai Great Wall rising above it. The district also boasts Miyun Reservoir (Beijing's primary water source), lush mountain valleys, and some of the capital's most scenic drives. Miyun is ideal for weekend getaways, offering a magical blend of Great Wall grandeur and canal-town charm.
A stunningly reconstructed water town nestled beneath the Simatai Great Wall, often called "the Wuzhen of the North." The town features stone-paved alleys, traditional courtyard buildings, a canal with boat rides, craft workshops, restaurants, and boutique hotels — all in Ming-Qing architectural style. At night, the town transforms with thousands of red lanterns illuminating the streets, creating one of Beijing's most photogenic scenes. The town's night view of the illuminated Simatai Great Wall above is unforgettable. Activities include SIM card making, tie-dye workshops, paper-cutting, and soaking in hillside hot springs. Stay overnight for the full experience — the town is even more magical after day-trippers leave.
Hours: 9:00–22:00 (night illumination until 23:00). Some attractions within close earlier.
Admission: ¥140 (includes all town attractions). Boating ¥30–80. Simatai Great Wall access: additional ¥40.
The only section of the Great Wall open for night visits, Simatai is considered the most dramatic and original section remaining. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the wall clings to precipitous ridges with gradients reaching 80 degrees. Accessible from Gubei Water Town, visitors can take a cable car (¥160 round-trip) to reach the wall, then hike along its steep, unrestored portions for dramatic views. The night tour (summer evenings only) lets you walk illuminated sections of the wall — a unique experience available nowhere else. Only the eastern section (watchtowers 1–10) is open to the public; the western section (famously used by a BBC documentary team) is restricted.
Hours: Day: 8:00–17:00 / Night: 18:00–21:00 (Apr–Oct, weather dependent)
Admission: ¥40. Cable car ¥160 round-trip. Night tour ¥160 (includes cable car). Gubei + Simatai combo ¥180.
Beijing's largest reservoir and primary source of drinking water, covering 188 square kilometers. While swimming and boating are restricted to protect water quality, the reservoir's surrounding scenic areas offer beautiful viewpoints, fishing spots (with permits), and pleasant driving routes. The best viewpoints are along the northern shore road, particularly around Baihe Dam and Bulaotun area. The reservoir is most beautiful at sunset when the water reflects mountain colors. Several lakeside restaurants serve fresh reservoir fish — a local specialty. The drive around the reservoir through mountain roads is one of Beijing's most scenic routes.
Hours: Viewing areas open 24 hours. Restaurants generally 10:00–21:00.
Admission: Free for viewing areas. Fishing permits ¥50–100.
Known as "Beijing's Little Huangshan," Yunmeng Mountain features dramatic granite peaks, ancient pine trees, sea-of-clouds views, and hiking trails through dense forest. The park has three main scenic areas with different trail difficulties. The main peak reaches 1,414 meters and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains on clear days. Popular activities include hiking, rock climbing, and winter ice climbing on frozen waterfalls. The park receives fewer foreign visitors than the Great Wall, making it a great escape from tourist crowds. Best visited in late spring (wild azalea blooms) or autumn (stunning fall foliage).
Hours: 7:00–18:00 (Apr–Oct) / 8:00–17:00 (Nov–Mar)
Admission: ¥45–65. Cable car ¥80 round-trip.