Originally Posted by
trueblu
I don't know "black-lane" but presuming it's a premium car service (since you don't want to take a cab), then surely give them your airline arrival details (which is the LAX-PEK and return from the timings) and let them worry about waiting around for you. As stated, immigration at T2 is much faster than T3 in general. I'm assuming you know that you need a visa, even though you are on a short stay..
With regards to the other queries raised:
1. Driver to GW: US$134 is a decent rate. Make sure it includes tolls and parking (although that only adds tens of dollars). You're getting a car service from the airport, so you aren't a bargain hunter. Yes, you may be able to get a driver for 800RMB instead of 900RMB, but it's not worth the hassle if the GH can really get you a driver for that rate (the driver I used to use for visitors has recently retired, so no personal recommendations).
2. You can get food at Mutianyu, but it's all Chinese options at the wall area itself. The whole area has been upgraded significantly last few years, with more options -- that cater to the 98% of tourists that are Chinese. The "Schoolhouse" at Mutianyu no longer offers a restaurant option, more bespoke catering I believe (and it was never that great imo).
3. You can do Mutianyu on the day of departure: it opens from 08:00 or even sl. earlier in the morning. If you get there before 09:00 that would beat the majority of the crowds. You should account for at least 2 hours there for a visit, and if you want to climb up to the top, an additional hour. It will take c. 2hrs to get there from the GH in traffic (and can be more). Mutianyu is closish to the airport. BUT you need to check if your hotel-arranged driver is happy to drop you there instead of the hotel (they certainly shouldn't charge more, since it's a much shorter trip).
4. I haven't been to Made in China for a few years since the last time I went I found it over-priced and not as good as many of the other options in Beijing and the service had dropped off, however, could be that things are fine now. BUT, since you're staying at the GH, it makes perfect sense: ONLY if you confirm that you can order a half-duck. Otherwise, it will just be way too expensive for a single diner. Lots of other duck restaurants do half-duck orders, which make much more sense for solo travellers if MIC doesn't.
5. For a first time visitor, I think md's timings to the airport and how much earlier to get there are optimistic. Even for T2, I think you should aim to get there 90+ minutes in advance. If you have status on AA, the CA lounge, whilst not super, is reasonably pleasant for a short stay. And don't under-estimate traffic from Dongcheng to the airport. I would leave at least 1hr to get there, and it can take 90+ minutes on occasion. So I would typically suggest leaving 3 hrs prior to flight: in that case, if you take 90 minutes to get there, you won't arrive in a total panic. If you do NOT have status on AA, leave at least 20 minutes just to check-in: they are super slow at checking in at PEK for some reason, and it can be quite a wait.
Enjoy!
tb