Gubei Watertown
By Nicole M., Loyola Marymount University, TBC Summer 2019 Intern Abroad Student
If you’re looking for an escape from the city, spend a weekend in Gubei Watertown. Located just a two-hour drive from Beijing, the town is made up of traditional architecture, greenery, and not to mention an endless number of doorways to take photos in. While in Gubei, hike up to the Mountaintop Church for a view of the city and a coffee to start your day. Once down the mountain, take in the view from a boat for only 80RMB. If you’re feeling hungry for lunch, explore the side streets to find restaurants serving authentic Chinese food. Otherwise, stop for ice cream or Hawthorn. Just a ten-minute walk from the town center, visit the Yuantong Pagoda Temple before securing your spot for the Great Wall Music Fountain Show, shown from March to October.
Hotels are plentiful in Gubei. Choose to stay at an inn located along the water or spend the night in a western style hotel. On your second day in Gubei, walk the Great Wall of China at Simatai. After your climb, return to the city and grab a drink along the waterfront or stop by the Sun and Moon Square to watch theatre performances from your seat. Stay to see the town light up at night and find a group to dance along to the street performers with for an immersive experience.
The past few weekends have been some of the most exciting of the entire semester, full of trips to the zoo, mountain hikes, ancient parks, and more! Our first trip out of many was a visit to the Beijing Zoo. I had mentioned earlier in the semester that I wanted to see some pandas, since I was in China after all, and our TBC friend Andy made it happen.
Spending a whole semester in Beijing, I knew I had to make the trip down south and check out Shanghai, and the city certainly lived up to the expectations. Everyone describes Shanghai as this super futuristic metropolis, and after spending a weekend there I understand why it has this reputation.