How to Get from Beijing to Gubei Water Town by Public Transport (2026)

Quick Answer

Take the direct express bus from Dongzhimen or Wangjing West Hub to Gubei Water Town — about 2 hours, ¥48 one way. Buses run daily with multiple departures, dropping you at the P2 parking lot right next to the scenic area entrance. The budget alternative is the S5 suburban train to Gubeikou plus a shuttle bus (¥16 total, ~3 hours), but service is limited to two trains per day.

Factor	Best Option
Most convenient	Direct express bus from Dongzhimen (¥48, ~2 hrs)
Cheapest	Bus 980快 + Mi51 transfer (~¥25, 4–5 hrs)
Most scenic	S5 suburban train via Huairou–Miyun (~3 hrs, ¥16+)
Best For	Couples, photographers, and anyone wanting the Simatai Great Wall night experience

Gubei Water Town (古北水镇) is a rebuilt traditional-style water town at the foot of the Simatai Great Wall (司马台长城), about 120–140 km northeast of central Beijing in Miyun District. It is famous for its canals, stone bridges, hot springs, and the only section of the Great Wall open for night visits.

Compare Your Options

Method	Time (one way)	Cost (one way)	Transfers	Difficulty	Recommended
Direct express bus (Dongzhimen)	~2 hrs	¥48	0	Easy	⭐
Tongyou Line 22 (Wangjing West)	~2 hrs	¥48	0	Easy
S5 train + shuttle	~3 hrs	~¥16+	1	Moderate
Bus 980快 + Mi51	4–5 hrs	~¥25	1	Difficult
DiDi / private car	1.5–2 hrs	¥400–600	0	Easy

Option 1 — Direct Express Bus (Recommended)

There are two reliable direct bus services to Gubei Water Town. Both cost ¥48 and take about 2 hours via the Jingcheng Expressway.

A. Dongzhimen Express Bus (Daily)

This is the most popular option for independent travelers.

Departure point: Dongzhimen Outer Bus Station (东直门外). Take Metro Line 2 or 13 to Dongzhimen Station, Exit B1, then walk east for about 10–15 minutes. The bus yard is near the 942/915 bus station — look for the bus with a sign reading "东直门外—古北水镇" in the front window.
Departures from Beijing:
- Monday–Friday: 09:00, 12:00, 15:30
- Saturday/Sunday/holidays: 09:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30
Return from Gubei Water Town (P2 parking lot):
- Monday–Friday: 13:00, 16:00, 21:00
- Saturday/Sunday/holidays: 12:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00
Fare: ¥48 per person, paid on the bus. Cash only (exact change, no change given) — or you can pay via the Yitongxing (亿通行) or Beijing Bus (北京公交) app.
Arrival: P2 parking lot at Gubei Water Town, a short walk from the ticket office and main entrance.

[!WARNING] The Dongzhimen bus station area is known for bus scams. Strangers — sometimes wearing fake uniforms — may approach you offering "direct" buses or tours. Do not follow them. Walk to the official 942/915 bus yard and look for the bus marked "东直门外—古北水镇."

B. Tongyou Line 22 from Wangjing West (Weekends & Holidays)

Departure point: Wangjing West Hub (望京西枢纽站), Bus Mezzanine Gate 5. Take Metro Line 13, 15, or Airport Express to Wangjing West Station.
Departures from Wangjing West: 09:00, 13:00
Return from Gubei Water Town: 12:00, 17:00
Fare: ¥48 per person
Operates: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and official public holidays only (typically April–November; verify season dates)
Payment: Yikatong card, Beijing Bus app, or cash

C. CYTS Building Direct Bus

Departure point: CYTS (Zhongqinglü) Building, southwest of Dongzhimen Metro Station (Exit D, walk ~400 m)
Arrival: Gubei Water Town Hotel (水镇大酒店)
Fare: ¥48
Booking: Through the Gubei Water Town WeChat mini-program

[!TIP] Arrive at the bus stop 20–30 minutes early, especially on weekends. Seats are limited and the bus may fill up. If one bus is full, you may have to wait 2+ hours for the next departure.

Option 2 — S5 Suburban Train + Shuttle (Cheapest by Rail)

The S5 Line (北京市郊铁路S5线), also called the Huairou–Miyun Line (怀密线), runs from Beijing North and Qinghe to Gubeikou Station (古北口站).

Step-by-step

Take the S5 train from Beijing North Station (北京北站) or Qinghe Station (清河站) to Gubeikou Station. There are two trains per day:
- From Beijing North: approximately 06:55 and 14:19
- From Qinghe: approximately 07:10 and 14:34
- Journey time: about 2–2.5 hours
- Fare: approximately ¥10–16 (varies by boarding station)
Transfer to the Gubeikou–Gubei Water Town shuttle bus. The shuttle is timed to meet the trains:
- Gubeikou Station → Gubei Water Town: 09:40, 17:10
- Gubei Water Town → Gubeikou Station: 08:40, 15:50
- Fare: charged by the local bus company (small amount, typically ¥5–10)
- Journey time: about 15–20 minutes
Total travel time: Approximately 3 hours from central Beijing.
Total cost: Approximately ¥16–26.

[!IMPORTANT] The S5 has only two departures per day, and the shuttle connection is timed to those trains. If you miss the morning train, the afternoon one may not give you enough time at the water town. Check the latest S5 timetable on 12306 or the "北京市郊铁路" WeChat account before traveling. The shuttle may be suspended in severe weather.

Option 3 — Bus 980快 + Mi51 (Budget Transfer)

This is the cheapest option but also the most time-consuming and least recommended for short visits.

Take Bus 980快 (980 Express) from Dongzhimen to Miyun Xidaqiao (密云西大桥) or Miyun Bus Station (密云汽车站).
- The 980快 runs from approximately 06:00 to 20:00, every 10–20 minutes.
- Fare: ¥15 (cash or Yikatong). Journey time: about 1.5–2 hours.
- Make sure to take the 980快 (express), not the regular 980, which makes 35+ stops and takes much longer.
Transfer to Mi 51 bus (密51路) toward Simatai (司马台方向) to Gubei Water Town.
- Fare: ¥10
- Journey time: about 2–2.5 hours
- The Mi 51 stop and the 980 stop are in different locations near Miyun Bus Station but are within short walking distance.
Total time: 4–5 hours. Total cost: about ¥25.

[!WARNING] Local drivers may approach you at Miyun Bus Station offering taxi rides to Gubei Water Town or the Great Wall. Negotiate the fare firmly or ignore them. This route is really only suitable for backpackers with abundant time.

How to Get Back

Direct express bus: The last return bus from P2 parking lot is at 21:00 daily (with additional earlier departures). Arrive 20–30 minutes early to secure a seat. If you are visiting for the Simatai night tour, the 21:00 bus is your best option.
S5 train: The last shuttle from Gubei Water Town to Gubeikou Station departs at 15:50, connecting to the evening train back to Beijing. If you miss it, you will need to take a taxi to Gubeikou Station (about 15 minutes, ¥30–50) or stay overnight.
If you miss all buses: A taxi or DiDi from Gubei Water Town back to central Beijing costs approximately ¥400–600 depending on traffic and your destination. There are also budget hotels and guesthouses in Gubei Village just outside the resort if you prefer to stay overnight.

[!IMPORTANT] Schedules may change — verify locally before travel. Bus departure times can shift seasonally. Ask your hotel or the Gubei Water Town visitor center to confirm the latest return schedule on the day of your visit.

Chinese Names You May Need

English	Chinese
Gubei Water Town	古北水镇
Simatai Great Wall	司马台长城
Dongzhimen	东直门
Dongzhimen Outer Bus Station	东直门外公交站
Wangjing West Hub	望京西枢纽
CYTS Building	中青旅大厦
Gubeikou Station	古北口站
Beijing North Station	北京北站
Qinghe Station	清河站
Miyun Bus Station	密云汽车站
Miyun Xidaqiao	密云西大桥
Bus 980 Express	980快
Mi 51 bus	密51路
P2 parking lot	2号停车场

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Taking the regular Bus 980 instead of 980快. The regular 980 makes over 35 local stops and takes 3+ hours to reach Miyun. Always look for the 快 (express) character.
Following scammers at Dongzhimen. The walk from Dongzhimen Metro to the express bus yard passes through an area with persistent touts. Walk purposefully to the official 942/915 yard and do not engage with anyone offering unsolicited "help."
Missing the last direct bus back. The 21:00 return bus is the only option after the evening Simatai night tour. If it is full, you could wait 2+ hours or pay for an expensive taxi. Arrive early and queue.
Assuming the S5 train runs frequently. It does not — only two trains per day. If you take the morning train, you must catch the afternoon shuttle/train back or stay overnight.
Forgetting cash for the bus. The Dongzhimen express bus accepts cash (exact change) or specific transit apps. International credit cards are not accepted. Carry at least ¥100 in small bills.
Confusing Gubei Water Town with Gubeikou. Gubeikou is a town and separate Great Wall section about 15–20 minutes by road from Gubei Water Town. The S5 train goes to Gubeikou Station, from which you need a shuttle to the water town.

Before You Go

Gubei Water Town is open daily from approximately 09:00 to 22:30 (last entry 22:00). Hours vary by season.
The Simatai Great Wall night tour requires a separate ticket and the cable car; night visits are popular and often sell out on weekends.
If you plan to visit both the water town and Simatai Great Wall, allow a full day (or stay overnight in the town).
Bring a light jacket — it is cooler in the mountains, especially in the evening.

Still Not Sure How to Get There?

Our local team can help with bus tickets, Gubei Water Town entry reservations, Simatai Great Wall night tour bookings, or arranging a private transfer. Get in touch or message us on WhatsApp.

Related Guides

Beijing Travel Guide — full city guide with itineraries and practical tips
Beijing to Jinshanling Great Wall by Public Transport — another remote Great Wall section not far from Gubeikou
Beijing to Mutianyu Great Wall by Public Transport — compare all Great Wall options
12306 High-Speed Rail Guide — how to book train tickets in China
How to Use DiDi in China — for taxi or private car options

Transport information is based on the official Gubei Water Town website (wtown.com), TravelChinaGuide Beijing tourist bus guide (updated August 2026), Beijing Public Transport Group schedules, and traveler reports. Schedules and fares may change — verify locally before travel.

Last verified: August 2026