I've been asked to do a last minute talk in Beijing in mid December and can add a few days. So, I'm flying out Saturday arriving Sunday, and have to be in Beijing by Friday afternoon. I can spend the whole time in Beijing or do a side trip. I have never been to China before, and I fully expect to do a 2-3 week trip at some point. So..

Question is, should I take it easy and do Beijing, or should I put that off for when I come out for 2-3 weeks with my girlfriend and do something more off the beaten track, knowing if I do Forbidden City, local Great Wall, etc, I'll repeat them in a year or two?

to me, off the beaten track might be... fly to Ulan Bataar, visit a few days, take the overnight train back to Beijing... something that I'd want to do but the average China visitor might not. I do expect to need a guide since the alphabet is intimidating and I dont speak the language..

I'd take any suggestions....

Being your first time in China you should just hang out in Beijing. It is very easy to find things to do for 5 days in Beijing, especially in winter when days are short. You'll get to learn a few things about how everything works in China and that will help you for your future trip. There is enough english for you to manage by yourself.

You can camp out on the Great Wall. The signs say do not enter but the locals will let you go through their property. For a couple of dollars, of course.

It can be bitterly cold and windy, so a grand plan for lengthy outdoor touring might in the end not be something you want to do. For me, I would not plan a lengthy side trip, but would take my time and see the Beijing area, inclusive of a Great Wall trip. A little wandering in the morning, a hot pot warm-up lunch and something inside in the afternoon could be the ticket for a few days, along with a day trip to see the Wall.

The China subforum has great contributors and there are threads that discuss many local sites worthy of visiting. Whatever you end up doing, enjoy your trip!

+1

Yeah, I'll +1 this too. A great idea and good advice. There's a lot to do in Beijing and since you don't have much experience with how things work in China and especially the language, it's best to take baby steps. That being said, before you get here, or on your way here, you should do research on what you would like to see or what you'd like to do. You can check out our app if you have time, www.myplanitchina.com we cover all of China, have original curated articles on things to do, places to stay, what to eat, what to pack etc. We even let you plan/book itineraries, so perhaps it could help you get a trip in. (or even what to do while you're in Beijing)

If you need more details you can PM me, otherwise, wish you the best on your travels and on your talk. Hope you enjoy Beijing

I might choose differently from the other posters since I have much less experience here, but it really depends on your preferences. If you know that you will be back doing the 'standard' things with your girlfriend later but she might not want to do non-standard things, then enjoy the single life! I did a trip with Beijing Hikers and loved it. A very different GW experience than I've heard from others.

Wow - Ulan Bataar? I'd pick that in a second if you're OK with the cold and dark and more challenge than just not having any language skills in Beijing. That could be a great experience!

I think that there are lots of 'off the beaten track' options here in China and of the little that I have seen in the last few months, those have been the best.

Maybe we should have an 'off the beaten track' Chinese experience thread!

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

Hmmm, it's already -10 C in Ulan Bataar so visiting in Dec really requires the proper winter gear. Beijing is a fabulous city even if you don't do the typical 'tourist' sites - and it's easy to get around on the metro or by taxi.