How can I get to the Great Wall from Beijing, is it easy?, is it very far from Beijing?
2006-12-29 10:49:44 · 11 answers · asked by altair 1 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ China
First of all, make plans for this to be an all day expeirence.
Secondly, don't go to "badaling" it's insanely crowded and an extremly fake reincarnation of an amazing place. There is a KFC there, and they have built handrails into the side of the walls .....aarrg !! Everyone and their dog goes to Badaling. Mutianyu is great, much more scenic, and is not too far from Beijing. Simatia has been the best so far. If your big into hiking, you can do an amazing hike from Jinshanling to Simatia. Simatia also has the highest peak of the great wall...its a heck of a climb.
Thirdly, don't take any buses from tourist areas, or from people who sell bus tickets on the street corners, because you might end up at one of the subsidary lines of the great wall. My best advice is to book with an international youth hostel, as they won't rip you off, and you can travel with a small group in the hostels small bus/van. I would also advice you stay at a hostel while in Beijing, because they are far cheaper, and usually just as nice, if not cleaner, then some of the regular hotels. Loads of great advice from the messages boards at the hostels. The Leo2 hostel has a fantastic "secret wall" tour where you visit an unrestored part of the great wall, and go from an amazing hike along it for a few hours. At the end you have a great meal in a tiny village. But, maybe thats better for a second trip, because everyone should see a restored section to get the full expeirence of what the great wall is/was.
You can rent a personnal car, just compare the price with a hostel beforehand, and understand that you can bargain, and that the private company may try and take you some place different to save themselves money. Insist of where you want to go and watch the road signs. Also, they may want to take you to this Jade factory on your way to the wall. They will tell you they need to check the car before going on, and drop you at the door. The private companys make a bit extra money for every car load they drop off there. Don't Worry!, they won't leave you there (you pay at the end of the day when you get back to your hotel) and the jade factory tour is very quick, somewhat interesting, and their bathroom is quite good. This will take no longer then a half hour, then you will be back on the road.
You can book hostels at fair prices here: http://www.hostelbeijing.com/
And you can contact me here: gi_joe21x@yahoo.com
P.S. The Jinshanling to Simatia hike has a mix of unrestored and restored sections, and I believe has the most watch towers of any section. Possibly the most scenic as well, but it is a bit more then 3 hours to drive there.
DON'T TAKE A TAXI OR CITY BUS. You WILL end up at a small subsidary line that is pathetic in comparison to the real deal
2006-12-30 03:19:49 · answer #1 · answered by Havok 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Beijing is the best place to see the Great Wall. There are several sections of the Great Wall. The most popular one is Badaling, which is about 2 hours northwest of Beijing by car. There is another famous part called Mutianyu which is northeast of Beijing, a little bit farther than Badaling. If your goal is to enjoy the Great Wall then I will recommend you go to Mutianyu, which has the dramatic view of the Wall as well as beautiful mountains, and not too crowded. Simatai is a primitive section of the Wall, if you are naturalist and enjoy the physical challenge.
Whichever is your choice, I would recommend you to get professional help with the car and the professional tour guide, since it's more enjoyable to enjoy the Great Wall and not to worry about getting back to town. Plus you will enjoy more with the history and information background from the guide.
We can help you with all aspects of the tour to the Great Wall. If you need any further help, please feel free to contact me at: Jia@Jiasdreamtours.com
2006-12-29 14:20:47 · answer #2 · answered by travelgal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The main touristy Great Wall attraction is Badaling. The best way to get there is to hire a car with driver. You get there in comfort and can bargain for the price. There are other areas of the Great Wall near Beijing where there are not that many tourists. Hiring a car can get you to these areas as well. But plan for a whole day for the trip to and fro and time spend at the Great Wall. Another way is via bus but unless you understand Chinese, I don't recommend it.
2006-12-29 12:20:42 · answer #3 · answered by KK Oz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with a local travel agent, the Badaling version of the wall is only one hour away from the main city while other non-touristy parts such as mutianyu are a little further away.. Easy.. Contact the folks at journeyeast if you need to setup local tours trravel or aiport pickup.
2006-12-30 16:24:51 · answer #4 · answered by Tom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i became on the large Wall yet a chum of mine (sitting around the room from me on the 2d) did no longer bypass to the Wall having in basic terms been in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Realistically, extremely some human beings bypass with the aid of China with out even leaving the airport so there might desire to be others.
2016-11-24 23:47:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the #919 public bus in Beijing
2006-12-31 16:12:46 · answer #6 · answered by tobabill 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bus or taxi..its really close to beijing
2007-01-01 12:03:34 · answer #7 · answered by Nancy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the train
2006-12-31 04:50:49 · answer #8 · answered by Webballs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a spoon from the drawer in your kitchen
Go out into the back yard
Start digging
Let me know how long it takes you!!
2006-12-29 10:51:47 · answer #9 · answered by sixcannonballs 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well it is very very far so am thinking that you would have to take a plane
2006-12-31 01:49:31 · answer #10 · answered by man from china 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋