Next month I'm flying DUS-PEK-AKL with a 19.5 hour layover in Beijing. I've read similar threads and got a lot of information from those bit I'm hoping you can help me with some advice for my specific situation.

5.30AM arrival, will be the first time in China for my girlfriend’s and myself so nice opportunity to get a first glimpse. Air China offers a hotel near the airport but I think it’s better to book something in the city so that we’re flexible as in when we need/will try to get some sleep? What’s the perfect 1 day itinerary for our case? And in which area to book a hotel (budget travelers)? Best transport from/to airport?

Next important question, food! Long day so will try to fit at least 2 meals into it of course . Obvious choices are duck and dumplings I think? Da Dong & Made in China are reasonably close to interesting areas we will visit I think? Is the price level of those 2 similar? Our day in Beijing will be a Sunday. Need for reservations? And where to go for street food? We like beer so Great Leap Brewing also sounds like a place to add to the list based on other topics.



A month later on the way home it’s SYD-PEK-DUS, 22 hour in Beijing this time with a 4:40AM arrival. That day we want to go visit the Great Wall. We would prefer to go to a not so crowded place where we can do some hiking on the wall. Mutianyu, or is there a better option? Can someone recommend a driver/guide for transport from the airport? Not sure yet where we will go after the wall for the rest of the day, any ideas?

Lots of questions, hope to get some help, thanks in advance.

I normally pass on hotels comped by Chinese airlines because they are often awful places and tend to be near airports (i.e. not much else around), but if CA offers you the Hilton/Langham or --more likely-- Crowne Plaza, I'd be inclined to accept, especially if you are allowed to check in at that early hour. Basically, you'll be able to relax during the morning, head into town clean and refreshed, and then you could drop by again several hours before your next flight. If the hotel on offer is not one of the 3 I mentioned, I'd want to think more, but would likely pass.

Regarding your day in Beijing, the plan I suggested in the "one day in Beijing" thread might be old, but the basics remain unchanged: Made in China --> Forbidden City --> Beihai --> Houhai/Gulou (there is a Great Leap Brewing place near Nanluoguxiang)

They don't offer me any of those unfortunately, this is the list on offer:

JinHangXian International Business Hotel
Beijing Aulympic Airport Hotel
Vansi Hotel Beijing
Beijing Airport Lanwan International Hotel
Beijing Airport Yuanhang International Hotel
KaiShengXingFeng International Business Hotel

I don't have personal experience with any of these, but I just did a bit of research, and the 2 I've bolded (I think the second one starts with a W btw) appear tolerable (at least compared to the other 3). Basically, if you have a true overnight layover in either direction, I would definitely pass on the free hotel, and find somewhere else (BJ hotel rates are not especially expensive). But, in your case, a hotel near the airport could be useful simply as a place to drop off your stuff in the morning and wash up in the evening before your onward flight. By the way, unless they make the hotel shuttle super easy (i.e. someone from the hotel is waiting for you with a sign), I'd probably just grab a taxi. Some drivers might act angry about the short ride, but they get a queue jumping coupon whenever they accept short rides, so this isn't a big deal.

I copied the hotel names from Air China, but it appears they are mistaken and it's Wansi and not Vansi indeed.
As I noticed later it's not even possible to choose yourself from the list, I got the KaiShengXingFeng for my first day in Beijing and the Aulympic the day on the way home.

But I still think I'm not going to use it the first day; I find it hard to predict when and how much rest I'll need during the day so I'll be more flexible with a hotel in the city.
I'll check my luggage through to AKL directly, this should be possible I presume.
Also just taking the airport express seems easier than a transfer/taxi to the hotel and then another taxi ride into the city later or am I mistaken? How bad is the rush hour on Sundays? What will a taxi ride cost me?