Good 2 Day Plan for Beijing?
 

Well, I'm headed out to Beijing this Saturday for the first part of my 3 part vacation. I just had a few questions and concerns for you guys to see if you have any helpful input or suggestions. First off, I'm traveling alone as usual, but seeing I have yet to travel outside of the normal tourist cities like London, Tokyo and Paris, how safe is Beijing in comparison? I'm only 20 but I travel frequently so it's nothing new to me, but being alone in China is. I went ahead today and put together a rough plan for my 2 day trip there. I've been reading about all the places for a week or two now so I know what they are when visiting them, but I'm just starting to put an itinerary together so let me know what you guys think...

Day 1
Arrival at PEK is at 230PM from DTW. I'm taking the airport express/subway to my hotel which is the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven. My plan was to checkin and shower then walk over to the Temple of Heaven. Then I was going to find somewhere for dinner and head over to Olympic Park around sunset/night to see the Bird's Nest etc. I'm an amateur photographer so the observation deck at the Trade Center III peaked my interest but I can't find any information on the hours there. Other then that, that should be it for the arrival day.

Day 2
Now this is the day I'm worried about. For one, the chance of rain is currently showing 60%. My plan is to take the train from the north station to Badaling to see the Great Wall. I was planning about 3 hours there, which would put me back in Beijing around 1PM. One issue I'm having is the issue with lines at the train station in Beijing. Everything online I'm reading is telling me there are enormously long lines. The first departure is at 6:12AM so I'm not sure how early I should arrive to make sure I make the trip, plus, I'm not sure how I'm going to get there at that time in the morning. Regardless, if all goes to plan I'm figuring I'll spend the rest of the daylight day (1PMish to 7PM) at Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, which I'm praying is enough time. That evening I might add in the Summer Palace if time permits.

And that's about it. I'd really appreciate any input and suggestions that you have so I can be better prepared for my trip!
Thanks!

Get up early and see the flag raising at Tiananmen Square, and check out the Forbidden City across the street, subway runs near by,

More than one place to see the Great Wall, but a driver is better, you will be near it when you land, at least a little drive from the 4th circle, seemed like 40 minutes or so, to the wall.

We try to stay at the Crown Plaza, about $100 with breakfast included. walking distance to the Forbidden City, and yes it is safe, even at 4:00 in the morning, been there many times. hard to adjust upside down....you will not get it all done in the 2 days. enjoy. zia jian

The birds nest is a nice sight, but the Great Wall is impressive to a country boy, and we have went back many times.

be reminded that summer palace is not in downtown and it is closing at 1800pm in summer (according to local website)
suggest no need race against time
IMHO hanging out leisurely looking around thoroughly may be more enjoyable as most tourist sights in Beijing are fairly big to stroll
Good luck

I agree with satman40, a car is the way to get to the wall. I chose not to go to Badaling because it was too commercialized. I went to Simatai given that is was rebuilt, but not overly touristy.

Also, I think that the forbidden city along with Tiananmen Square is a must. Also would suggest the Cotton Market or the pearl market. Taxis and drivers are cheap, so don't waste any of your two days waiting for mass transit.

Day one seems insane to me because it is all over the map. I would just start at the TOH and walk north (Tiananmen, Forbidden City, Beihai, Houhai, Nanluo/Beiluo Guxiang, Lama Temple, and maybe taxi to the Olympic Village from there... dinner at 798 if you aren't dead tired).

I did that exact trip to Badaling. See my post for exact details on how to find the S2 trains from the North stop. You might be early enough that there won't be alot of people, but once they let you board the train ... run so you get a seat. Also, don't buy the tickets they offer on the train. Its a waste of $$, just buy them at the gate.

Here's my post with full pics:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china...ip-report.html

After you finish the wall, you could goto Summer palace. Its somewhat on the way back to the City. However, that place is MASSIVE and you'll literally be in there for hours, if not the entire day.

That won't work given his 2:30 arrival. Between customs/immigration, and airport train he won't arrive at hotel before 4p, probably later. Keep in mind that ToH closes at 6p, although the surrounding park is open later (10p), but you want to see the ToH itself, not just the park.

Also, last entry to the FC is 4p, so can't do that on Day 1.

I think the plan of starting at ToH (if time permits) is sound. Then go to Olympic Village, or have dinner first. Hit Beihai/Houhai or Nanluoguxiang either on the way or way back, depending on hunger timing.

Day 2 seems manageable, but much more so if you hire a car to take you. Have the car drop you at either Lama Temple or straight at FC. Do that first, then Tiananmen square, which is open after FC closes (unless you want to see Mao's tomb). There's no way to also get the Summer Palace into this mix--it's two of three for a day between Wall, FC, and SP.

I overlooked the 230p arrival part. But, getting from ToH to the Olympic Village during any time of the day, let alone the afternoon, is not something I would never dream of doing.

Line 5-Line 10-Line 8. I've done it from Dongdan in the evening, and, while it's a hassle, it wasn't bad.

So the jist of what I got was try to hurry over to the Temple of Heaven as soon as possible before it closes. Then cover everything listed in day 2 minus the Summer Palace (but do Forbidden City before the Square). Overall, it all sounds good.

Anyone have any prices or recommendations for a driver from the ToH area to Badaling and back?

Go somewhere other than Badaling, if possible. Since you are only 20 years old, I'm guessing that you're fit enough to handle Huanghua, for example.

You're not going to accomplish all of the original plan.

Day 1--I doubt if you will make it to the TOH unless the stars are all in alignment. While the place closes at 18:00, I think last tickets for entry are shut off at 16:30 or 17:00, so you will be hard-pressed to make it to the West Gate (closest to your hotel) in time. Variables of flight arrival time, getting through the TWOV queue, baggage wait, taxi to hotel are out of your control. So maybe you make it, maybe you don't. At any rate, I'd let rush hour on the subway happen while you find a place for dinner and let the sun go down, near the east side of the TOH (Hongqiao Market side). Then hop the subway and go to the Olympic Park after the crush has lessened.

Day 2--You only have time for two out of the three main sites. I suggest you forego the Summer Palace strictly for logistical reasons, and do GW in the morning and FC in the afternoon. Ending up late afternoon or early evening for dinner in the hutong areas.

This is one of those rare circumstances where I would recommend you stick with going to Badaling due to cheap and easy logistics doable on the fly. You'll just have to return to BJ for a longer visit in the future and go to one of the more unrestored areas then. For the present: If you are keen and can get up early enough, there shouldn't be much of a queue for that first 06:12 train to Badaling. But the night before, have the hotel doublecheck for you that this departure will be running the next morning--some days they don't do it. Plan to take a taxi to the station, it's really a newbie visitor's only practical option at that hour. Look for a cab about 05:15, there should be some hanging around or cruising around near your hotel (or have hotel help you). It should only take about 20 minutes with no traffic to get you to BJ North station (Xizhimen), and maybe 10 minutes to walk and find the ticket window and buy a ticket. Train probably won't open for loading until 06:00 am and it's all hard seat. You will beat most of the crowds with this early train.

On the return, if you want to train back, your best choice is the 11:19 departure from Badaling, or the 11:50. This will set you up for a reasonable afternoon. This should give you about 3 hours of quality time actually up on the Wall, which in July heat is plenty. You can also take a public bus back (the 877 is best but the 919 will do, RMB 12)--the Visitor Center at Badaling can point you to the bus stop. Both buses will take you to Deshengmen, not far from Xizhimen/Train Station just north of the North 2nd Ring Road and walkable to the Deshengmen subway stop. Either way, you'll want to get to the Line 2 subway (circle line) and take it around to the Qianmen stop. This puts you at the south end of Tiananmen, from whence you can walk around the Square to the gate with Mao portrait and then inside to the Forbidden City. Allot 4 hours for T-Square/FC, it's enough. You'll exit from the north gate. If it's a reasonably clear day you can climb up Jingshan Hill opposite the north FC exit for a high view. (If a smoggy or rainy day, maybe not such a fruitful endeavor). Then walk north to the Houhai Area (hutongs, restaurants for dinners, bars for drinks). It will be a long day, so wear the best walking shoes you have.

You've got that backwards. It is currently only possible to do the Forbidden City from south to north (I suppose you could exit via Tiananmen as well, but that's kind of lame in my opinion, and you'd miss out on Beihai Park).

I always ask people to choose between Jingshan Park and Beihai Park because they fulfill the same objective (view of the FC from a high place). I prefer Beihai for a variety of reasons, but probably the most important is that the north exit is very close to a lot of interesting places.

I prefer Beihai also and particularly if the Jingshan summit view is obscured by bad air. Beihai itself simply has more to offer inside even if one doesn't walk up the hill. It is certainly an option to do in lieu of or in addition to Jingshan Park (south entrance of Beihai is west of Jingshan), walk to north exit of Beihai and you'll come out opposite the Houhai area on the other side of the boulevard. OP can make a decision in real time depending on time, his mood, and how much his feet ache.

Yes, and it happens to look a lot like the Summer Palace Park (which makes sense because there's a historical connection between the two locales; I believe they used to be connected by water).

Thanks all for the help! I work for Bank of America so getting time off is rather rare for me. I've got today through next Sunday off for vacation so Beijing is actually just stop 1 so I'm hoping I won't be tired out after because Rome and Amsterdam follow! The plan I'm reading from you guys sounds pretty good. I don't check my bag so that shouldn't be an issue in PEK but seeing as I've never been there before I have no idea what to expect with getting out of the airport. I'm 'anticipating' an arrival around 4PM at the hotel but who knows how that'll go. I would love to stay longer in Beijing but I fly nonrev under my parents with Delta so I have to stick with what's open. Beijing weather is showing 60% rain still for Monday so it might be a wet day there.

Then, just try your best to enjoy Beijing. If you are interested, shoot me a PM and I will intro you to my friends at Hooter's; they will gladly show you the best that SLT has on offer.

SLT?

sanlitun -- an expat heavy area.

Having said that, with the v. tight schedule of the OP, I would stick to sightseeing, despite md's generous offer.

tb

Tb: Our OP is 20 years old! Can we permit him to experience SLT? I will offer him my cell phone number in the event he encounters a pickle, and I'm sure you will as well. I shall also compel the entire Hooter's staff to protect him.

I'm not too concerned about safety, although SLT at night, when inebriated, is probably one of the few 'dodgy' areas for expats in BJ. My only point was that if it came to choosing between doing some touristy sight, or seeing SLT, I would opt for the former.

I'm sure for many 20 yos, the SLT bar/ club scene would definitely hold attraction...it's just a matter of juggling.

OP: feel free to PM me if you want my number whilst you're in BJ. I can't speak Chinese well, and have no contacts in 'hip' places, but would be more than happy to help if in a bind.

tb

TB:

Because your are married and live in Zhongguancun, you might not realize that Beijing is one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Most people who query us in this forum are couples; as such, I rarely mention SLT. But, this current thread pertains to a 20 yo guy, traveling solo.

In short, he needs to go to SLT. There is no travel agency on this planet that can promise a Hooter's entourage, but I can deliver on this front.... and the girls will pay for the OP's drinks if they like him.

I must confess my first quick read of this "...it's just a matter of jiggling." :o I think I was still mentally back on md's offer of Hooters staff protection.

I spoke with Sarah on wx and she told me that she would go all out for the OP if he is handsome.

Despite being a fuddy duddy family man, I'm well aware that BJ is a great place, even if I have to live vicariously at times. Having said that, although the offer sounds amazing, even when 20, it may have not been my cup of tea (too shy). So I guess it depends on the OP's personality.

Now, I'm really hoping the OP takes up the offer and reports back! :D

tb

Hahaha. Let's hope it doesn't end up in the Tea House scams thread.

Well here I am to report back on my trip. It's currently 2AM here and I have a cab coming at 5 to take me to the airport. First day I was 10 minutes late to the Temple of Heaven but I was still able to walk around and see most of it. 2nd day it rained the entire time, especially at the Great Wall. My poncho ripped but in the time between it ripping and me buying a new one my bag got soaked which confused my camera and soaked my passport. Then by time I got to the Forbidden City that afternoon it was closed since it was Monday. Certainly not the best trip I've been on but hopefully, if I come back, it'll be better.

Sounds like it would be hard for it to be worse. :(

Hope it at least gave you a flavor and desire to return.

(my bold) Interesting. The FC was supposed to stay open on Monday afternoons between July 1 and August 31, and for national holidays. Not sure what's going on here.

Sorry to hear that you had a soggy and not-so-fruitful trip, and hope your camera and passport are salvageable.

sorry to hear that but hope you have chance to be back for a good trip ,Beijing is a great place

I'm also sorry that Beijing left a bad taste in the OP's mouth. I feel that his plan was a bit too ambitious from the get go. With only two days, I would have skipped the Forbidden City, and started out at Beihai Park.

It did rain an awful lot yesterday morning. Sorry to hear about the soaking. I'll admit that on this occasion, I was wrong: a night out with hooters girls would have been preferable to the usual tourist spots!

Hope you enjoy your next foray to BJ.

tb

They called me today. They only require handsome and fun.

Both my passport and camera seem to be OK. Which is good, because I'm off to Rome now. I would like to return to Beijing at some point and finish seeing everything, hopefully next time it won't be raining. And honestly, I was doing quite fine on time. If it hadn't been for the rain or the FC being closed, everything would have pretty much worked out. Thanks a lot for the help guys, I'm thinking about doing Shanghai in the next 6 months or so, so I'll be back with more questions then!

I'd like to think I have both...(ish), but somehow, I'm sure my wife would (quite appropriately) object!

tb