lmschmale

I'm a bit overwhelmed by the different places you can go to see the Great Wall. We're looking to go as a day (or half day) from Beijing. It seems like the best way to do this is by either taking public transportation or hiring a taxi through your hotel (we'll be at the Novotel Peace). We want to see the wall but I'd also like to be in a scenic area to get pretty scenic photos as I'm big into photography as a hobby. We're young, in shape, and don't mind (would enjoy) a bit of a strenuous climb - but mind you we'll be going either Dec 27 or 28 so I don't know if that changes things (will there be snow?). I'm currently considering either Badaling (too touristy?), Mutinayu, and Huanghua Cheng (will it be open in winter? how to we check opening times?).

I'm also interested in going to the Ming Tombs on this day. Does that change your recommendation for which section of the wall we should visit? Is this a must-see sight in Beijing? To do both the wall and the Ming Tombs in one day, can we go by public transportation or do we have to hire a taxi?

Finally, someone told my husband or he read some review that the hotel we book (the Novotel Beijing Peace) rips people off when booking tours and taxis. Does anyone know about that? I like to think of us as pretty savvy travelers but I just keep reading so much about people getting ripped off and taken advantage of and being forced to pay more by taxis and drivers as I research Xi'an and Beijing.

kja

Re: the Great Wall -- I chose Badaling, even though it is the most frequently visited, and I have no regrets about that. The wall can be seen snaking across ridges in almost every direction, and it was truly scenic. And it is VERY easy to reach by public transportation. But many people think it better to visit one of the other stretches.

I didn't go to the Ming Tombs, but went instead to the Eastern Qing Tombs. Again, I was pleased with my choice, but at least when I was there, getting to those was a bit tricky as the usual bus trips had been cancelled temporarily. If those busses have begun again, it should be easy. Which to visit really depends on YOUR interests.

Just about ANY hotel in Beijing will rip you off when arranging a taxi and almost every tour in China is likely to be a time-wasting rip-off - seriously! There are LOTS of threads on this board about these issues. Here's a recent one. Be forewarned -- some of these exchanges get quite heated.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...uld-you-do.cfm

Before going, do give some thought to the pollution in Beijing and what steps you want to take to be prepared. Here's a relevant thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...y-forecast.cfm

FWIW, China can be MUCH easier to visit, and to visit independently, than many people realize. DO invest in at least one really good guidebook, if possible, one of the ones to which Peter Neville-Hadley has contributed.

You might find some useful information in my trip report. It's LONG, but searchable. The sections on Beijing are at the start and end; the section on Xi'an is in the middle. Just click on my name to find it.

Hope that helps!

Marija

We did a day trip to Mutianyu and the Ming tombs. The wall was great. Skip the tombs.

colduphere

We also went to Badaling using public transportation. Easy, beautiful and cheap.

Great comments on the linked thread about using public transportation Kja. It's all part of the experience.

Peter NH was a great help to us. You've reminded me to come back here and observe the debates.

kja

@ colduphere -- thanks! I find a great deal to value in my time on public transportation ANY where I am fortunate enough to travel - priceless stuff, really. And I, too, benefitted enormously from Peter's knowledge and expertise -- we are so lucky that he is willing to share that with us so generously! But anyone who comes to "observe the debates" would do well to consider investing body armor first. ;-)

@ lmschmale -- sorry for the aside!

temppeternh

I'm sorry because this recommendation almost certainly comes too late, but if I were wanting to walk on the Wall on Dec 27 I might well choose this:

http://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in...hristmas-hike/

Yes, at ¥500 per person it's expensive (but although not so much if you're really thinking of getting a taxi through a hotel as an alternative) but it will take you to a section of Wall in its more typical rather Gothic ruined state where you'll see few other people except those others (almost all expats) who've decided to go for a Christmas walk, too. I've done most of this route by myself, and it's spectacular. Note, too, that a meal is included with a dumpling-making competition afterwards. All sounds very convivial. I've walked a couple of times with Beijing Hikers and it's well organised, its guides agreeable and well-informed for the most part and not spouting the official nonsense.

But for ease and cheapness there are direct buses to Badaling from Desheng Men every few minutes, where you can spend as long as you like before catching one back, and for truly tiny sums of money (¥12 each way). Or you can take train S2 from Beijing North station for only ¥6 each way. So that's about 3% of what hotel transport may cost you, even allowing for metro fares to Xi Zhi Men for Beijing North, or Ji Shui Tan for Desheng Men.