Beijing Travel

We spent 6 days in Beijing on our way back to Australia from Europe. We stayed at Park Plaza, Wangfujing which is in a fantastic spot for Western Tourists since there is heaps of shopping, restaurant and the like, but is very close to various hutongs (neighbourhoods) . Our hotel room even overlooked a hutong, which was fascinating to watch as it really showed you the 'raw side of Beijing'.

We visited the Great Wall of China's Mutianyu section through a company called The Amazing Trip which was recommended by the concierge of our hotel. We chose TOUR C which cost RMB 350 per person. We chose this because it included a section of the Great Wall that isn't so touristy (compared to the main area people go called the Badaling section) and since the one Lonely Planet recommends is hard to get to (esp. in winter when the local buses only operate long distances if they have a minimum number of passengers - 18 at the time we went) called the Simatai section.

The tour included pick up and drop off in an air conditioned van, a driver, a friendly english-speaking local tour guide, a substantial lunch of local cuisine, entry to a jade factory (not my cup of tea, but not torture either, & no pressure to buy anything), chinese herbalist visit (with free consultation & no pressure to buy - quite interesting), The Sacred Way (but not the Ming Tombs in this tour) and 2hrs on the Great Wall of China. The only thing not included was the optional cable car up to the wall (cost RMB 50pp and worth every cent). Alternatively you can come down on a toboggan ride!

2hrs was a perfect amount of time, not too long and not too short. We walked between stage 14 and 20/21 and it's mind blowing. We were really cold all day, but we went on a clear sunny day and once you're on the wall, the sun takes over and the breeze drops and it was lovely up there!

We saw maybe a dozen other travellers during our 2 hours on the wall which made us feel as though we were the only on there. Nobody but us and scenery in our photos! Very few touts at the base and none on the wall. Maybe because it's winter?

There was snow everywhere when we went (January) so I suggest hiking-ish boots if you have them (and thermal socks). Plenty of toilets and opportunity for toilet breaks along the way.

Really great experience. Wouldn't have done it any other way.