Heading to Beijing with a co-worker for meetings next week. We're taking Wednesday for playing tourist (and will have Thursday morning too, as our return flight is at 15:30). Given the cold temps (at least last week and this week - I've been checking to see how to pack) and the short days, we weren't thinking of trying to get to the Great Wall. Presumably we'd do Forbidden City. Is it possible/desirable to do Summer Palace and Forbidden City on the same day? I know they close early this time of year as well. Or should we spring for a driver and get to the Wall, not knowing when either of us could get back to Beijing?

For "shopping" (neither of us really big shoppers, and I did run through the crowded/fun/cheesy Silk Market on my last & only trip to Beijing, which was just a solo day in transit) would it be "enough" to just roam Wangfujing Street?