Note that they don't even issue tickets any more. You pay at the ticket counter (with your passport) and you just show your passport when you get in.

1. By "pick up point", I assume you mean the taxi queue? Immigration at PEK T2 usually isn't horrible, even if you don't have APAC or eChannel, but afternoons can be a bit slow (i.e. 20 minutes). That having been said, if it does take 20 minutes, the good news is that your bags will probably beat you to baggage claim. Assuming an ontime arrival, I think 3p is a fairly safe bet.

2. I generally aim to get to T2 at T-70 (v T-90 for T3), and I would allow 50 minutes for that taxi ride because you're getting close to rush hour. One tip here is, that if traffic on 2nd/3rd ring is heavy, let the driver use 5th ring. This adds a bit to the fare, but is usually much less congested.

While we all have different tastes, Made in China is my personal favorite. And, since you're staying at the GH, it's a no brainer for you.

Thank you for your compliment. One other thing; if you desire (almost) real time service, join our Wechat group. We mostly talk about mindless banter, but are also capable of answering questions about pretty much anything. If you add me (moondogsh) as a contact, I can invite you to our group. Be sure to mute notifications after you're in.

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

There are many drivers advertising here: http://www.thebeijinger.com/classifieds/cars-drivers
Never read negative feedback about any of them. I have used Mark a few times. found him on thebeijinger many years ago. He has a website: Mark's Mutianyu great wall Tour ,Beijing tour guide, English speaking driver, Beijing private tour,
Made in China is among the best duck that I had in Beijing.
You'll find that spending 1.5 hours to 2 hours on the Wall is plenty.

Agreed. Based on its cheesy name, and location inside an American branded hotel, many people will tell you Dadong is better. While I like Dadong a lot, I give Made in China a slight edge because I love the environment, and the Beggars Chicken is simply cool. FYI, we have a long thread on Peking Duck here; no recent posts, but there are also aren't any recent entrants to the market, as far as I know.

I'm guessing your trip is before `10/1, but that's when AA plans on moving to Daxing; currently, they are at PEK T2. The lounges honestly aren't worth dwelling over; however I don't know of any good restaurant options either.

In an earlier post you didn't sound too adventurous wrt Beijing Duck: which is the least adventurous food item in Beijing. As such, it's possible that eating at the GW may be "a little" challenging. I wouldn't worry about it: just play it by ear. Prices will be extremely reasonable. I think fitting in Mutianyu on your departure day makes perfect sense and you will have plenty of time assuming you leave the hotel at a decent time.

As EXP you will be fine wrt lines for check-in etc. There's no status-based security fast-track, but T2 is generally fine anyway. The lounge is an Air China lounge: it's nothing special, but better than the average Chinese lounge.

For your first day/ arrival, I recommend walking to Tian'anmen in the afternoon and around Wangfujing in the evening if you're not too tired, but not much more than that. You'll then have a couple of days to plan out the rest of your visit. Enjoy!

tb

When I did an extended stint in Peking a few years ago, Dadong and Quanjude were the best places for Peking Duck. I tried Made in China but didn't order the duck there - will give it a go next time.

Great Leap Brewery

Is this still going? I visited it a good few years ago and it was just a conservatory at the back of a house in a Hutong somewhere near Sanlitun. I remember thinking at the time that I was getting lost in the Hutong when I came across a gate with "Great Leap Forward" on it.