Suggestions for tour guides for the Great Wall
Oct 6th, 2013, 12:47 PM
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Suggestions for tour guides for the Great Wall
Based on my research it seems to be a huge hassle and trek to the Great Wall.
How does the typical tourist make there way to the Great Wall?
Does anyone have a recommended tour guide that will pick us up from our hotel and take use to the Great Wall. Note that I cannot speak the local language.
How does the typical tourist make there way to the Great Wall?
Does anyone have a recommended tour guide that will pick us up from our hotel and take use to the Great Wall. Note that I cannot speak the local language.
Oct 6th, 2013, 02:45 PM
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Unless you want to go to an obscure part of the wall, it should not be a huge hassle nor a "trek," and it does not require using a taxi or having your hotel make arrangements. It is easy to go to Badaling by bus. I'm pretty sure you can also get to Mutianyu easily by public transportation, although I don't remember the details. Have you checked your guide book or searched this board?
Oct 6th, 2013, 03:25 PM
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Here are the directions, compliments of Peter N-H, that I used to reach Badaling in 2010. I can't say whether anything has changed:
". . . take the metro to Ji Shui Tan and walk a few minutes east to De Sheng Men ... on the east side of the De Sheng Men (rebuilt gate/fragment of city wall) you’ll find express buses departing to Ba Da Ling every few minutes. These drop you straight at the wall. . . . You catch it back from the same place you got off it."
". . . take the metro to Ji Shui Tan and walk a few minutes east to De Sheng Men ... on the east side of the De Sheng Men (rebuilt gate/fragment of city wall) you’ll find express buses departing to Ba Da Ling every few minutes. These drop you straight at the wall. . . . You catch it back from the same place you got off it."
Oct 7th, 2013, 12:30 PM
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If anything it's got easier. For Ba Da Ling the bus is the 877 from Desheng Men (as mentioned above); goes non-stop, departs every few minutes 6am to noon in summer, 6.30am to noon winter; returns 10.30am to 5pm in summer, 11am to 4.30pm winter; ¥12 each way. Pay on bus.
Alternatively you can even take a train from Beijing North Station (Xi Zhi Men metro station). There are about 12 services a day in each direction. ¥6 each way.
For Mutianyu there's a one-day tour bus that leaves from Xuanwu Men (NE exit of metro, immediately in front of the South Church) at weekends and on public holidays, 15 April to 15 November; departs at 8.30am, but best to be there by 8am. ¥95 return, and including entrance fee (of ¥45). Could hardly be more convenient.
Alternatively any day take the 916 from Dong Zhi Men to Huairou Bus Station, and take a minibus from there.
Both of these locations are 70km or less from downtown Beijing. Not really much of a trek at all.
> Does anyone have a recommended tour guide that will pick us up from our hotel and take use to the Great Wall. Note that I cannot speak the local language.
Why pay hundreds of yuan for something that should only cost you tens? Very little of what guides have to tell you is accurate, and one is not needed for the Great Wall. You can find far more accurate sources of information and bring them with you.
If you want to travel by car, simply take a taxi. It doesn't matter that you can't speak the language. Simply have reception at your hotel write down where you want to go, what day, what time, where you want to be picked up from and dropped off, and whether you want a half day or a full day at the Wall (a half will do). One or two days before you want to go there, simply show this paper to any driver you like, or flag down taxis in the street, and bargain. You should pay no more than ¥400 inclusive of tolls, parking, etc. for either of these destinations. ¥500 if you absolutely must. Drivers currently favour Mutianyu because the road tolls and parking fees are less.
Alternatively you can even take a train from Beijing North Station (Xi Zhi Men metro station). There are about 12 services a day in each direction. ¥6 each way.
For Mutianyu there's a one-day tour bus that leaves from Xuanwu Men (NE exit of metro, immediately in front of the South Church) at weekends and on public holidays, 15 April to 15 November; departs at 8.30am, but best to be there by 8am. ¥95 return, and including entrance fee (of ¥45). Could hardly be more convenient.
Alternatively any day take the 916 from Dong Zhi Men to Huairou Bus Station, and take a minibus from there.
Both of these locations are 70km or less from downtown Beijing. Not really much of a trek at all.
> Does anyone have a recommended tour guide that will pick us up from our hotel and take use to the Great Wall. Note that I cannot speak the local language.
Why pay hundreds of yuan for something that should only cost you tens? Very little of what guides have to tell you is accurate, and one is not needed for the Great Wall. You can find far more accurate sources of information and bring them with you.
If you want to travel by car, simply take a taxi. It doesn't matter that you can't speak the language. Simply have reception at your hotel write down where you want to go, what day, what time, where you want to be picked up from and dropped off, and whether you want a half day or a full day at the Wall (a half will do). One or two days before you want to go there, simply show this paper to any driver you like, or flag down taxis in the street, and bargain. You should pay no more than ¥400 inclusive of tolls, parking, etc. for either of these destinations. ¥500 if you absolutely must. Drivers currently favour Mutianyu because the road tolls and parking fees are less.
