Questions from first-timer to Beijing

[ping255]

Hi guys, I'm planning to go to Beijing for a F&E holiday next Spring (Mar/Apr), and it will be my first time to China, so need some advice.

1. Accommodation - any recommended hotels which is clean and convenient? It seems like hotels around Wangfujing and Forbidden City are pretty popular among tourists.

2. Day tour to Mutianyu of the Great Wall - any recommendations for private or group tours? English or Mandarin-speaking guide is fine, but we are looking specifically for those without shopping stops. I googled for such tours but most of them are English-speaking private tours that cost at least SGD150 per pax. Are tours to the Great Wall around this range, or are there cheaper group tours?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dilphinus]

Hi guys, I'm planning to go to Beijing for a F&E holiday next Spring (Mar/Apr), and it will be my first time to China, so need some advice.

1. Accommodation - any recommended hotels which is clean and convenient? It seems like hotels around Wangfujing and Forbidden City are pretty popular among tourists.

2. Day tour to Mutianyu of the Great Wall - any recommendations for private or group tours? English or Mandarin-speaking guide is fine, but we are looking specifically for those without shopping stops. I googled for such tours but most of them are English-speaking private tours that cost at least SGD150 per pax. Are tours to the Great Wall around this range, or are there cheaper group tours?

Thanks in advance!

Just stay near a metro as most attractions are near a metro.

Howard Johnson is just next to the Beijing Main train station and metro. There is a Crowne Plaza in Wangfujing. Hotels are generally more expensive in this area. I stayed in this area for my first trip to Beijing.

You can consider staying in Jianguomen. There's an Ibis and an Orange Crystal.

I usually stayed at Orange Crystal at Jinsong. Last few trips, switched to Green Tea and 7 Days in the area nearer to the airport.

For tours to the Badaling, with a shopping stop, the price should be around RMB100. You dont have to buy anything. Badling is usually bundled with the Ming Tombs. It will be more expensive for Mutianyu.

Badaling is very touristy. Mutianyu is also pretty touristy, though not as touristy as Badaling.

 

[spurman]

Just stay near a metro as most attractions are near a metro.

Howard Johnson is just next to the Beijing Main train station and metro. There is a Crowne Plaza in Wangfujing. Hotels are generally more expensive in this area. I stayed in this area for my first trip to Beijing.

You can consider staying in Jianguomen. There's an Ibis and an Orange Crystal.

I usually stayed at Orange Crystal at Jinsong. Last few trips, switched to Green Tea and 7 Days in the area nearer to the airport.

For tours to the Badaling, with a shopping stop, the price should be around RMB100. You dont have to buy anything. Badling is usually bundled with the Ming Tombs. It will be more expensive for Mutianyu.

Badaling is very touristy. Mutianyu is also pretty touristy, though not as touristy as Badaling.

Wanfujing affordable hotels shall be novotel peace n crowne plaza. And maybe a china one called sunway or sometime. Opposite crowne plaza.

Nite time can walk walk wanfujing.

So far tink all tours should have some shopping one. Jade n tea.

Mutianyu also quite crowded liao. Even during late feb time. Hehe.

Summer palace can take cab there also or by metro.

Other places to go. Forbidden palace and temple of heaven...

Enjoy
.

 

[Hisashiburi]

For mutianyu, u can book a cab or driver for the whole day.
Ask him to bring u there early in the morning around 7am pickup time.
U will have the whole wall to yourself!

Then go to Summer palace and then ask driver to bring u to eat or shop or back to hotel.

Cost around 600rmb for the whole day(a few years ago) n u pay at the end of the trip.

 

[ping255]

Ok! Many thanks for the info & advices!

 

[delceer]

any good health centre to recommend for relax after a day of long walk ?

 

[RoyceSmith]

Is that difficult to take public transport to mutianyu?

 

[beanstalk6]

Is that difficult to take public transport to mutianyu?

I won't say it is difficult.
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/beijing/mutianyu.htm

 

[durachip]

If this is your first time to Beijing, you probably don't want to miss the forbidden city, summer palace, and the great wall. But Beijing is full of history and very suitable for walking tours along the hutongs. You can search the internet for walking tours of Beijing. Try not to miss the Golden Mask show, a spectacular theatrical show choreographed by Zhang Yimou.

 

[cherrystalk]

please go hou hai and san li tun!

 

[g_t2006]

please go hou hai and san li tun!

I find these two places quite sianz lei. I go to Sanlitun for the bookshop. Used to frequent Qianmen but stopped going too.

 

[jes205]

just came back from beijing..taxi from airport to Wangfujing was about 90 yuan. Interestingly, hotel to airport was 120 yuan. The driver's car was clean, he drove in an orderly manner and his chinese accent was ok. So I asked him how much for day trip to Mutianyu and he quoted 700-800 yuan. Bargained down to 600 yuan (I honestly think he would have taken 500 yuan). Read before the trip that you don't really need a guide for the wall..be prepared to walk/climb/crawl the wall coz if you are not physically fit or able, it's pretty challenging. U can take a cable car up and cable car/toboggan down. u didn't state ur budget for hotel so difficult for people to recommend..Forbidden City was awesome, you don't realize the grandeur of the Palace until you are there.. I regret getting the audio guide (40 yuan) coz it was hopeless. There is so much history there and if you like stuff like these, suggest you do your homework and get a proper guide. Summer Palace was also very nice..there is a lunch place in the Summer Palace that is recommended, Ting Li Guan which serves 'Imperial dishes'. DON"T waste your time and money, it's a tourist trap.

 

[ping255]

Thanks all! Yes, I think Great Wall, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Sq and Forbidden City are must-go places. I will find out more about the other places shared above!

 

[beanstalk6]

Thanks all! Yes, I think Great Wall, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Sq and Forbidden City are must-go places. I will find out more about the other places shared above!

Beijing is more than just the historical sites.

 

[vuzuuu]

Can recommend a hotel range between s$50-s$60 at a nice location.
Thanks.

 

[beanstalk6]

Can recommend a hotel range between s$50-s$60 at a nice location.
Thanks.

What is a nice location to you?

 

[vuzuuu]

Probably close to a metro or subway.
Anyway, thanks for the help, will check out Greentea, 7 Days, Super8, Hanting.

 

[vuzuuu]

Greentea, 7 Days, Super8, Hanting and those local Chinese chain of hotels. Up budget to around $90, Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel, just right next to the Beijing Main Train Station. Check prices for Ibis and Holiday Inn. Both aren't too expensive, depending on locations.

Wondering all these Greentea, 7Days, Super8 and Hanting provide heater during the winter? Thanks.

 

[beanstalk6]

Wondering all these Greentea, 7Days, Super8 and Hanting provide heater during the winter? Thanks.

Usually it is central heating.

 

[katoboy]

May I know that at the Beijing international airport do they sell sim card with wifi that can last from 10days other say that can't bring power bank too any advise.