Homestays in Miyun

I came during late Autumn which apparently is the low season and I have the entire place to myself, besides the lady staff and the three lovely cats. The cheapest and most convenient way to get to the property is to take Beijing 980 快 bus from Donzhimen transportation hub to Miyun 密云 bus terminal (last stop). Journey time about one and half hour. You can use your Beijing Transport store value card to tap in and out of the bus. Fare is around RMB10. Walk to the other side of the road and wait for Mi 密25 mini bus at the bus stop for the bus to Gubeikou. Journey time another one and half hour and fare less than RMB 10. Get down just outside the twin road tunnels to Gubeikou town. Walk along SiCao 司曹 road in the direction of Gubeishuizhen for about 5 minutes and you will see a wooden sign and a small path leading downhill to the entrance. I was lucky to have a Chinese lady to guide me who got down at the same stop. The town is very quiet at night and during the day and so you might want to consider ordering the vegetarian dinner offered by the property. RMB65 per person and please order in advance. I brought along my own stuff for breakfast which the staff didn't mind I consumed at the living)dinning room area. I was allowed to use the kettle to make instant coffee. The entrance to the wild Great Wall is through the reconstructed city gate at the other end of the village, about 5 minutes walk away. There is a charge on entering the trail but because it is the low season, there is no one on duty. The shorter trail leads to three watch towers. One has been reconstructed to house communication transmitters. The other longer trail which is the Simatai (可馬台) section is more rugged and the watch towers are further away. Here the Great Wall is left as it is. On some pathway you are walking on a narrow path on the wall itself or on the ridge line and there are no barriers.

Xue and Jack were the best hosts we have ever had! They were so attentive: contacting us before our arrival, offering us free shuttle service to and from the train station, and giving us guidance on what to do while we were there (Jack even helped us buy tickets and get to the start of the Great Wall walk)! We also had some fantastic food while staying with them. Do not bother eating anywhere else!

Beautiful area, easy to get to from station (walk down the wooden stairs) Host is absolutely amazing and speaks good English ! Definitely would recommend this place

The family is a wonderful host with amazing food, very spacious and clean rooms and perfect location for the Wall-Entrance. A perfect place to relax, to hike and to enjoy the scenery and nature. Very highly recommended!