Premium account Joined: Dec 05 Points: 5709 Posts: 16
Posted: 2008-03-22 17:16:00
In may I am planning to go for a short trip to Beijing and surroundings. Does anybody know the good place to stay in Beijing, and the best way to see the Great Wall - should I organize myself or use the travel agency ?
Premium account Joined: Oct 02 Points: 18176 Posts: 294
Posted: 2008-03-22 18:14:00
Szanowny Panie Louis
There is big hostel just opposite Beijing Central Station (bookable through hostels.com) with good transport link to the airport. See my travellog (May 2006) for details - also about the best way to see Great Wall.
Good luck! Enjoy your trip!
Wojtek
--- You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced... W.D.
There are many parts of Great Wall in Beijing surroundings. I was in Badaling and Simatai and would recommend you to Simatai. It is further away from Beijing but there are not too many tourists and you can trek a bit or even for a full day. Going from one watchtower to another is challenging too as some steps are very steep. The view is breathtaking on a sunny day.
I'm afraid I couldn't help much on this cos a local friend of mine drove me there last time. I heard that there is a bus / minibus to Miyun from Dongzhimen long distance bus station and then another minibus / taxi to Simatai.
The Beijing Sightseeing Bus Centre alongside Tiananmen Square should also have buses going there. I would suggest you to check out with the hotel / hostel when you are there. Probably you will also meet some other backpackers and can share a taxi with driver together for a day...should be around 500 RMB (50 EURO)
[ This Message was edited by: kwongmei on 2008-03-24 21:14 ]
The backpackers hostel on the south side of Beijing has a bus that goes to Simitai everyday (at least it did when I went in 2001) for 60 yuan. If you take a taxi, he'll charge upwards fo 200 yuan. To go to Badaling, there are tons of taxis/companies that will take you there. The price shouldn't be more than 100 yuan.
--- Live abroad and learn something about yourself!
Details for four key sections of the wall near Beijing area:
Badaling Section of the Great Wall
Address: Yanqing Country
Time: 7:30 a.m - 5 p.m
Ticket: 45 yuan ( April 1- October 31)
Transport: take 919 from Deshengmen Long Distance Bus Station, 500 meters east of Jishuitan Subway Station. Buses depart every half hour from 5:50 a.m and return form Badaling until 6:30 p.m. the trip takes on-two hours.
Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall
Address: Mutianyucun, Huairou District
Time: 7:30 a.m - 6 p.m
Ticket: 40 yuan
Transport: take 916 from Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station, 100 meters east of Dongzhimen Subway Station Exit D, then walk 150 meters to the left. Buses depart from 5:20 a.m and return until 6:30 p.m. the trip takes two-three hours.
Simatai Section of the Great Wall
Address: Vubeikouzhen, Miyun Country
Time: 8 a.m - 5 p.m
Ticket: 40 yuan
Transport: take 980 from Dongzhimen Long Distance Bus Station, 100 meters east of Dongzhimen Subway Station Exit D, then walk 150 meters to the left. Buses depart from 6 a.m and return until 7 p.m. The trip takes two ¨C three hours.
Juyongguan Section of the Great Wall
Address: Nankouzhen, Changping District
Time: 8 a.m - 5 p.m
Ticket: 45 yuan
Transport: take 919 from Deshengmen Long Distance Bus Station, 500 meters east of Jishuitan Subway Station. Arrive Nankou Town Bus Stop and take a small bus to Juyongguan Great Wall. Buses depart from 5:50 a.m and return until 6:30 p.m. The trip takes two-three hours.
--- If you will be China,be here first www.2008motel.com
