Originally Posted by jiejie (Post 22497164)

The more I look at your plans, the more I think the inside of the Forbidden City is what you need to dump off this plan, especially since you've seen it a long time ago. Get up early and leave BJ by 07:00, get to Mutianyu no later than 08:30, spend 2 hours on the Wall, return to central BJ about noon and have driver drop you at either Jingshan Park (if a clear day) or around the corner from Tiananmen (if hazy day). Spend about an hour walking and viewing the FC from the outside (maybe stop by the outer east moat) then about a half-hour or less getting to Made in China at the Grand Hyatt. Lunch reservation for duck at 13:30 and enough time for a leisurely meal. Then get to South Station. This plan would tend to favor you staying in the Wangfujing area.

I agree with moondog on not liking your latest plan. The timing just isn't going to work like you think. Give up whichever is least priority to you: GW, FC inside, or duck. Or move the duck to Tianjin/TEDA since you can't move the other 2 there.

Originally Posted by moondog (Post 22496623)

Unless you happen to know of a Dadong that is remotely close to the FC, I'm not liking this plan one bit because it entails two longish taxi rides (e.g. I would budget at least 45 mins to get from the 3rd Ring Dadong to South Stn, and an extra 10 mins coming from the Dongsishitiao location).

Originally Posted by drewguy (Post 22509336)

I was thinking of the Dadong on Jinbao street (No. 88) in the mall (just east of Wangfujing). It's perhaps a 20 minute walk from the east gate of the FC, perhaps faster by taxi (depending on traffic!).

Dadong locations:

http://www.dadongdadong.com/en/index.html?lang=0

See first one on list.

Originally Posted by jiejie (Post 22510069)

There have been quite a number of negative reports about the Jinbao Dadong branch. IIRC, some of them have appeared in this forum. Suggest not going there.

Originally Posted by drewguy (Post 22509336)

I was thinking of the Dadong on Jinbao street (No. 88) in the mall (just east of Wangfujing). It's perhaps a 20 minute walk from the east gate of the FC, perhaps faster by taxi (depending on traffic!).

Dadong locations:

http://www.dadongdadong.com/en/index.html?lang=0

See first one on list.

Originally Posted by trueblu (Post 22515740)

I think a 20 minute walk is optimistic to get to this location from the FC, however, it is walkable I guess. I'm less and less of a fan of Da Dong's duck (although I like a lot of the other dishes), but agree that it's a popular choice (in fact, my first ever duck was at this very location).

tb

Originally Posted by Tiki (Post 22805351)

We are looking for a budget duck place convenient to the subway between Qianmen (Line 2) and the Airport Express train since we have an afternoon & evening layover. Cheap & cheerful with no reservations required on a Friday evening just after Golden Week (special working day-whatever that is). After we eat, we will hop on the subway and go back to the airport.

So far, Li Qun is looking good unless someone has a better idea? http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restau...t-Beijing.html

Originally Posted by Tiki (Post 22805351)

We are looking for a budget duck place convenient to the subway between Qianmen (Line 2) and the Airport Express train since we have an afternoon & evening layover. Cheap & cheerful with no reservations required on a Friday evening just after Golden Week (special working day-whatever that is). After we eat, we will hop on the subway and go back to the airport.

So far, Li Qun is looking good unless someone has a better idea? http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restau...t-Beijing.html

Originally Posted by kay sedia (Post 23882532)

We have an upcoming 4-5 hours layover at PEK terminal 3. Is it possible to have some decent peking duck there? Any other restaurant suggestions? We are flying biz on Air China, so can use the lounge too.

Originally Posted by jiejie (Post 23885323)

These places aren't at the airport. Frankly, it sounds like too much trouble to me, for a layover that short.