Experience local tour guide (Beijing,China)
By Peter, 02/10/09
I am a native of Beijing, educated, very knowledgeable of Chinese history, culture, landmarks and historic sites. I am fluent in English and can guide you throughout Beijing or surrounding areas. If you need transportation I can help you arrange a car.I am friendly and humorous, in my ...

We were in Beijing in Early Oct.

Here are some highlight and some mistakes that we learned from.

I will discuss the Wall last but bear in mind that we had 6 days.

We scored a huge advantage by booking a little known hotel within walking distance of the Forbidden City. I would not call it a 4 star but it was very clean and the breakfast ...

loved this section of the wall. it's not nearly as crowded and you can get some great shots with no one in the background in places....it looks like your on the way all by yourself. when you arrive make sure you only buy a trip up on the gondola and a trip down on the toboggan. its lots of fun. i also bought some coffee table books there that i could not find anywhere else in china.

The best side to visit The Great Wall is without question the Mutianyu section, by far better than Badaling, less crowded, older, more difficult to go up to (which is good for me) and just prettier. You can have it just for yourself! At the end, ask for this new place called The Schoolhouse, really nice, great western (and chinese) food and relaxing environment, english speaking staff and probably the best bathrooms in China!!

Definitely go to the Great Wall at Mu Tian Yu. It's the other section of the Great Wall near Beijing. The main or more frequented section is Ba Da Ling. When I was there ... November, 2005 ... hardly anyone was around. I felt as if I had the Great Wall to myself ... quite a feeling.

As a documentary photographer, I took numerous stills ...