thursdaysd

The Eyewitness guide to Beijing and Shanghai also recommends visiting these tombs.

ekscrunchy

Thanks...at least someone else has HEARD of them!
I thought it might be interesting, not only for the site but for the drive out into the countryside....

thursdaysd

I would think the drive would be great. I still remember driving from Mutianyu to the Ming tombs on my first trip to Asia in 1997, and being absolutely fascinated by the countryside. Unfortunately, I don't remember any info in the Eyewitness Guide on how to get there.

rkkwan

My parents have been to all - Ming Tombs, Eastern Qing, Western Qing. They say Eastern Qing is definitely worth it.

tower

EK...just my opinion, but you'll see plenty of countryside between BJ, Mutianyu, the Mings and Summer Palace.
And if anyone advertises a 6 hour roundtrip to the EasternQ's, figure on another hour with traffic and narrow roads.
While in Shanghai, add in one of the water towns and there will be a countryide trip for that.

We are adding a good dea of countryside in Guilin, where out guide is driving us to the Longshen rice terraces
..and going to the cave villages between Xian and the warriors.

Stu T.

ekscrunchy

Thanks, Stu...good to hear all the opinions. I am not planning on going to the Ming Tombs so thought I might add these....

I have to play it by ear, I guess!

I just realized I am leaving in less than 3 weeks!

tower

EK...if you are ghoing to be seeing the GW at either Mutianyu or Badaling..you can just opt to see the Sacred Way and Avenue of the Animals at the Ming location...I was not too impressed with the tombs in '84 but I do want Roz to get the feel for Chinese reverence for their rulers in the past...
...consequently, I've asked Konglin just to stop at the Mings, either on the way to Mutianyu or on the return for the aforementioned purpose only.

Stu T.

SallyJ

We visited the Eastern Qing Tombs and the Sacred Walk on the way out of the tombs. I think it was combined with an afternoon at the Great Wall, so it didn't seem like that much of a detour to see both. I can't find my itinerary to verify. It was wonderful to see the countryside, and I think well worth a visit.

There was a vendor right in the middle of the Sacred Walk who was selling those beautiful carved window decorations. Strange place for sellers, but there were several along the walk.

It's kind of nice to get out of Beijing and the hussle and bussle for a day.

rkkwan

The Eastern Qing Tombs are about 70 miles due east of Central Beijing. It's not close to any of the popular areas of the Great Wall to visit. Badaling is NNW of Beijing, while Mutianyu is NNE.

Simatai and Jinshanling are NE of Beijing, but is still over 40 miles away from the Qing Tombs as the crow flies. No expressway, and the road distance is at least 50 miles by my estimate. 2 hours minimum.

They are not the same trip, unless one's visiting the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall in Tianjin.

For those visiting the Eastern Qing Tombs with a car and driver, they should stop at Jixian to visit Dule Temple. It has the one of the oldest wooden structures in China, housing a 50-feet tall Guanyin.

ekscrunchy

Rkkwan..thanks for the clarification. What is your opinion on the "best" place to see the Great Wall..Mutianyu or Jinshaling? I am not up for the hike to Simitai, I don't think. I read an article (I linked here) about the Jinshaling portion and how it uncluttered, etc....

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34905066

rkkwan

Sorry, I have only visited Badaling and Mutianyu as a kid. So, no personal opinion, except to say I like places in China with as few <b>local tourists</b> as possible.

BobP55

I'm making my first trip to Asia in July, to China for a combination of business and sightseeing. Right now, we have hotel reservations in Beijing for ten nights and are really looking for the opportunity to spend two or three nights outside the city. We are considering taking the train to Xi'an, but are also wondering if there are worthwhile overnight destinations somewhat closer to Beijing, providing great scenery, decent accomodations and good food. We would plan on using a driver/guide.

Does anyone have a suggestion for me? Thanks!

CanadaKate

One option is Red Capital Ranch, near an unrestored section of the Great Wall. Our stay in April 2005 included transportation to and from our Beijing Hotel.

http://www.redcapitalclub.com.cn/ranch.html

CanadaKate

rkkwan

BobP55 - Chengde can be an overnight or 2-night trips from Beijing. It's about 4 hours by train, probably longer by road. Very interesting place. You don't need 10 days in Beijing.

Or go to Datong in Shangxi province to the west. Hanging Temple, Yungang Grottoes, Wutaishan, etc. 2-3 day trip.

BobP55

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into them.

BobP55

rkkwan - I can't really tell from your posts. Do you currently live in China, or do your parents? How did you become so familiar with the area?

Bob

rkkwan

BobP55 - I live in Houston, TX. I grew up in Hong Kong and I've visited many parts of China years ago. Nowadays, my parents (who also live here in Houston) goes to Hong Kong and China 2-3 times a year (that's about 40-50 times since the early 80's), and I know a lot about their travel. I also follow the news over there quite closely. I don't really go to China much myself, but I do go to Hong Kong about once a year. Lots of family and friends there.

For many questions about China travel here, I ask my dad about it and post the answers.

BobP55

Thanks rkkwan! Fortunately, besides the good advice from this forum, we'll also be visitng with business associates who live in Beijing and who have offered to help us with guides, tours, etc. Always good to gather several perspectives, though. The debate that's raging in our 4-person travel group right now is whether to take the 12 or 13-hour train ride to Xi'an.(leave in the evening and try to sleep) Some reviews say no visit to China is complete without seeing the terracotta warriors, but we're wondering if there will be enough other things to see to justify the effort.

rkkwan

Xian is the ancient capital of China, including during its two most influential and powerful dynasties - the West Han and West Tang. It's more than then just the Terracotta Warriors, and is worth a day or two of visit. You have 10 days - spend 2 or 3 of those in Xian.

The nightly &quot;Z&quot; direct train is very nice, but you can also fly. It's a non-stop train, so most won't get waken during stops. Or take the short flight if you worry about sleeping.

BobP55

Ekscrunchy - We are definitely planning to make the trip to the Eastern Qing Tombs and the Great Wall at Huangyaguan during our trip in July so, if you decide to do it, please let me know what you think.

Does anyone know if there is a way around the problem of the tour guides stopping at silk and other factory stores, government buffet/restaurants, etc.? Is it possible/necessary to pay more in order to avoid it?