Red, Red, Red! This Autumn, It’s Utterly Red!
When the south still wears its cloak of green, the north has already swept its brush across the landscape, painting autumn in vivid, bold strokes. Through this holiday trip, you may have noticed: as the National Day holiday crowds ebb away, the capital finally welcomes its most beautiful moment of the year. Autumn in the city may still be subtle, but just outside, it has already burst into color. Leaves turn a dazzling red; between grey walls and black tiles, a riot of red leaves dances. Tender autumn breezes caress hills and water, and everything you see is soft and enchanting. If I didn't tell you, you'd think this was some little town in the Jiangnan water country. In fact, it's "another Jiangnan" hidden deep in Beijing — here, born from the same pedigree as Wuzhen, at the foot of the Great Wall, Gubei Water Town has turned red.
For northerners yearning for the misty charm of Jiangnan, Gubei Water Town has always been a top choice for leisure, fun, and holiday in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. It has the tenderness and poetry of a water town, yet without the daunting distance. It's located in Gubeikou Town, Miyun, embracing Yuanyang Lake Reservoir, only 120 kilometers from downtown. A mere 1.5-hour drive takes you on a "time-space transformation". And with direct shuttle buses and the incredibly scenic Huaimi Line, it couldn't be more convenient! For many old Beijingers, this is also a great place to rediscover old Beijing memories. While inspired by Jiangnan, Gubei Water Town is no mere copy — it has its own irreplaceable character. Flagstone paths, riverside homes, layered distant hills, at the foot of the Great Wall — a perfect fusion of mountain, water, and town, blending southern grace with northern ruggedness. It is both firm and gentle, ancient and fresh. With architecture in Ming, Qing, and Republic-era styles, mountain courtyards typical of the north, old city towers, streets, walls, and folk customs of Beijing that are now rare... every detail paints the Beiping dream hidden deep in our hearts. And maybe you don't know — this "Beiping city" is at its most intoxicating right now!
You may have seen Gubei Water Town in misty rain, seen it under dim lights, seen it in swirling snow. But have you seen it veiled in lingering autumn? October's water town is perhaps "autumn scenery worth praising, red leaves filling hills and creeks; pine paths perfectly suited, yellow chrysanthemums circling the eastern fence." Autumn arrives here earlier than elsewhere. From late September, this "Red Leaf Town under the Great Wall" starts its show. Creepers on walls, polished by early autumn sun, gradually reveal a stunning red — a brilliant, passionate display of what autumn should be. As time passes, the spreading crimson becomes the town's romantic backdrop. Although Beijing has no shortage of autumn-viewing spots, I personally think the most beautiful autumn scenery lingers in the town's hours. Unlike the vast red-leaf expanses of Fragrant Hills or Pofeng Ridge, Gubei Water Town's red leaves have a unique beauty, blending plants and architecture, scenery and culture. It's a one-of-a-kind poetic masterpiece painted in hues of vermilion, orange, yellow, green, indigo, blue, grey, and white — southern tenderness, yet northern romance, passionate and unrestrained, gorgeous and vivid. How beautiful is October's Gubei Water Town? Photos capture less than a tenth of what the naked eye sees. So missing this autumn water town would be a real pity.
When you come here yourself, you'll find that Gubei Water Town's "beauty" is far more than just autumn colors. Beyond its seasonal "face", its "character beauty" is what draws countless travelers. In sightseeing, dining, and lodging, the town never stops at the surface; it strikes straight to the "soul". And set against autumn, this red-leaf town perfectly fulfills everyone's autumn expectations.
**Play in the Town — Encounter Wonderful Moments**
Wandering through Gubei Water Town's autumn colors, you'll find plenty to see and do. Escort agencies, academies, guild halls, tea houses, wine shops, dye houses, kite shops, lantern shops... the fading flavors of old Beijing here become vivid again. As colorful as the town's autumn is the Yongshun Dye House. Once a famous splash of color in the capital, it's now one of the best photo spots. Dressed in Han-style silk, you can take portraits beneath rainbow-hued cloth. Or step inside the exhibition to see authentic natural tie-dye techniques and feel traditional Chinese culture's artistic charm. You can even try your hand at dyeing and create your own DIY tie-dye work, imprinting childhood memories onto fabric. Of course, besides tie-dye, you can make kites at the kite shop or lanterns at the lantern workshop — all steeped in old Beijing culture.
In golden autumn, a boat ride is unforgettable. As the oar-tipped boat slowly skims the Tang River, hotels, inns, and autumn views along the banks "come alive". To the creak of oars, following the waterway, you take in the town's beauty, storing it in your heart.
Many free performances can be enjoyed: Peking opera, drum storytelling, crosstalk, clapper talk, folk acrobatics, Manchu wrestling... With gorgeous autumn scenery around and brilliant acts on stage, how can you not love it? No wonder films like *Hidden Man* and variety shows like *Deyun Laughter Club* adore this place.
**Eat in the Town — Taste Autumn with Your Tongue**
Drunk on the landscape, enjoying a special meal is one of travel's great pleasures. Food shops line the town: bridge cakes, snail noodles, tofu corners, radish silk pancakes, honey roasted sweet potatoes... endless street snacks, perhaps just "appetizers" before the meal. The real stars are the fine dishes in hotels and restaurants: Miyun fragrant roast pork, German roasted pork knuckle platter, charcoal-grilled Spanish pork ribs with sweet corn, wine-fragrant dancing chicken, Wuzhen lucky egg family platter, Gubei roast duck king, classic braised sea cucumber with scallions, special sauce-braised fish head with Cantonese fish balls, radish and beef... each selected dish is a taste of the season. Traditional and seasonal ingredients collide, and through chefs' careful cooking, who can resist this temptation for the palate?
And if there's one food that best represents "autumn appetite", it's Japanese cuisine. To celebrate the season and let you taste fall's exclusive flavors, this October, Gubei Water Town's Yushe Hot Spring Hotel and Hegu Japanese Cuisine Restaurant are launching limited-edition autumn leaf season delicacies — an autumn kaiseki course and sukiyaki hot pot. Kaiseki emphasizes seasonal ingredients, artful presentation, and even the tableware chosen thoughtfully. Every dish uses fresh seasonal ingredients, striving to present the best flavors of the season. If you're hosting guests or gathering with friends, a kaiseki course is perfect. And if you simply want to taste autumn's first freshness yourself, it's also the top choice. The same goes for sukiyaki — top-quality beef short ribs and nutritious seasonal vegetables, cooked and dipped in a thin layer of raw egg, pure Japanese flavor, each bite stunning. Outside, autumn paints a picture; inside, the hot pot fills the air with fragrance. Family gathered around, eating and chatting — what could be happier? A leisurely stroll confirms: scenery and food must not be missed. Seek flavors in the town, taste the season. Sitting in a serene, elegant interior, taking a bite of autumn, letting the delicate flavors flow over your lips... that completes this Gubei Water Town autumn trip. (Dining environment at Yushe Hot Spring Hotel's Hegu Restaurant)
**Night Tour — Looking Back Where Lights Fade**
At night, Gubei Water Town seems even more charming. As lanterns glow, red leaves slip into the darkness, and the whole town is tranquil and gentle — another side of autumn. Then, carrying a lantern to explore Simatai at night, sipping cocktails at a bar, watching spectacular shows, soaking in hot springs while identifying constellations... this is the nightlife of this "city that never sleeps".
Look up at a sky full of sky lanterns: Every night, at Sun Moon Island Square, a drone light ceremony takes place — China's first combining drones with sky lantern elements, a unique sky lantern gala created by Gubei Water Town. To lyrical music, hundreds of drone sky lanterns float into the night sky, cascading light, stunningly beautiful, like stars in the Milky Way, dreamy and romantic. With the majestic Great Wall as a backdrop, drones form patterns in the sky: kites, wine jars, the Great Wall... magnificent and lifelike. The show lasts over ten minutes, yet no one wants to wake from this dream woven of lights, music, and technology.
Watch the dreamy water show of sound and light: Equally enchanting is the dreamy Great Wall music water show. Wangjing Tower's musical fountain starts on schedule every night — another must-see night scene. Melodious music, changing lights, water columns dancing to the rhythm, and dazzling flames... water magic continues. The fountain show goes on, and then 3D naked-eye illusions impact your vision. Water, fire, music, technology — on this intoxicating night, an art-meets-tech collision unfolds. It's a feast for eyes and ears.
Nighttime exploration of the Great Wall, overlooking dim lights: Of course, the most anticipated is climbing the night Great Wall with a lantern. Unlike Simatai Great Wall by day, under nighttime lights, it loses some ruggedness and gains softness. Up there, none of the town's bustle — only gentle breezes and a sky full of stars. Overlooking from Simatai, the brilliantly lit water town lies below. In that moment, you can't tell if it's dazzling, dreamy, or romantic; you just feel time slow down in the hazy light and shadow...
**Stay in the Town — Sleep Embracing Stars**
Staying at the foot of the Great Wall is a return — from the city's hustle and bustle to a slow, soothing time, accompanied by mountains and water, drunk on autumn colors, sleeping with the stars — that's true enjoyment. The town offers rich hotel options: budget-friendly B&Bs, high-end boutique hotels, ultimate themed hotels... surely there's one for you. Staying in Gubei Water Town also brings unexpected perks: free or discounted scenic area tickets, free shuttle buses within the area, free entry during your stay, discounted night Great Wall tickets, free hotel breakfast, free or discounted hot spring access. See, the town is so thoughtful — with attentive care and service, telling you: make yourself at home here! Who would refuse such warmth and comfort? So, follow your heart and choose a place to stay. At the foot of the Great Wall, sleep under stars, every night a sweet dream.
Here's a star inn beloved by variety shows, hidden in a lane entirely covered with creepers. A classic northern-style courtyard, with a kang bed design and private hot spring — that's why travelers love it. The Baqi Inn rooms aren't huge but ooze coziness, perfect for couples or small families. Spend a leisurely day in town, then return for a hot spring soak — comfortable and carefree. After soaking, lie on the heated kang, perfectly warm, and sleep beautifully till dawn.
Yushe Hot Spring Hotel: Compared to B&Bs, Yushe is pricier — but for good reason. All solid wood Japanese decor, serene and elegant, full of Zen. Simple yet warm, understated yet stylish. Yushe has 32 rooms, single-level and duplex. Every room has a private hot spring, intimate and family-friendly. I recommend the duplex family suite: two floors with two independent bedrooms and bathrooms, two soaking tubs — a quick bath downstairs, a relaxing soak upstairs. For families with kids, tatami rooms are ideal. Even two families together would have plenty of space and privacy, great value. Also, near the Yushe lobby, there's an indoor bath and two outdoor baths. Soaking outdoors amid glorious autumn colors is an ultimate pleasure. Here, the Great Wall is near, the starry sky is low. Autumn breeze is cool, but warmth is within reach. Push open the window for magnificent views, step inside for peace. "At home" inside, "on vacation" outside — this is the dream life.
Beyond that, the town has a "hidden paradise" in Langu Valley, where modern, exotic, and rustic three hotels blend seamlessly with nature, enjoying supreme tranquility. I strongly recommend Langu Valley's Firepit Hotel — so culturally rich. Unlike other hotels, Firepit expresses a regional spirit tied to the Great Wall's heritage, inspired by the fusion of Hakka tulou and the Great Wall, with Tibetan elements harmoniously infused. Nature, mystery, and quiet — the three essences of Tibetan culture are vividly shown. Carpets, sofas, murals, tables, bathtubs... everywhere, a strong Tibetan flavor. The spatial layout seems designed for the Great Wall: lobby, rooms, pool, restaurant — wherever you are, mountain views embrace you. Staying here, you experience exotic charm while easily embracing hill town life, with a rare poetic ease. Of course, the town's hotels go far beyond these: the martial arts Escort Agency Inn, old Beijing courtyard-style Duan Family Courtyard, Republic-era New Youth Art Hotel, ladies' Shisanmei Women's Hot Spring Hotel, Japanese leisure-style Hangu Villa Boutique Hotel, minimalist Niancheng Hotel, and more, all excellent choices. Different choices, different styles, but equally calming.
Look! The wind rises! Autumn, washed clean of all dross, is strolling gracefully toward us. So, while the weather is fine and autumn is deep, go to the autumn feast at the foot of the Great Wall. To meet your varying travel needs, this October, the town has prepared a series of autumn product packages. See red leaves, taste nature's flavors, enjoy the stillness of life. All the beauty you can imagine for autumn is here, in the Red Leaf Town under the Great Wall. From October 17th to 24th, the Gubei Water Town Red Leaf Festival will also grandly appear: wearing Hanfu, strolling ancient streets, admiring autumn scenery, carrying lanterns at night, dancing, watching fashion shows, viewing flower boats, party revelry... Splendid happenings are unfolding. Unrepeatable beauty, unexpected surprises — Gubei Water Town, with full sincerity, is waiting for you to accept this autumn invitation! Red Leaf Town under the Great Wall — this autumn, we are in love!
