Travel Forum / Destinations / Asia / July 2005

We stayed at the Capitol Hotel in Beijing in March.  Excellent
accomodations, 2 blocks from Tienanmen Square and an easy walk to some
very nice restaurants.  I'm sure their concierge service could arrange
whatever side trips you want.

We stayed at the North Garden Hotel, 4* - literally around the corner from
Wangfujing St; THE major shopping precinct in central Beijing; 30 metres
from a Bank of China branch (with international ATM's). They have a travel
service!

http://directrooms-china.com/north-garden-hotel-beijing-3169.htm

Peninsula is a super hotel.  Fantastic breakfasts.  On the flights I think
I'd try direct to Hong Kong and then up.  JMO.  s

At the risk of stating the obvious, the Forbidden City is _in_ Beijing --
you don't need a trip to it, other than a taxi or, perhaps, a short walk.
If it's a tour you're looking for, that's something else.

As for the Great Wall, most hotels can arrange a private car and driver for,
IIRC, about $50 US.  The Great Wall is just that -- a very, very long, very
large wall.  It's exciting to visit and great fun to explore (though it
helps to be in shape -- many sections of the Wall, particularly those near
Beijing, are quite steep).  However, I wouldn't think an organized tour
would add much to the experience.

I can personally recommend the Great Wall Sheraton and the Shangri-La.
In both, the "executive" floor is worth the added cost. Both are fairly
far from the center of the city, but taxis are cheap. Both have local
(non-western) restaurants close by, as well as overpriced restaurants
in the hotel.

IMO the main shopping district is bereft of decent eateries, as
compared to the places that locals go. Get out a guide book and be
adventurous; take taxis to recommended restaurants. And don't miss Da
Dong.

Any hotel can arrange tours (which are run by 3rd party tour
companies). These will be overpriced, and will drag you to places along
the way that have bribed them to stop (jade stores, herbalists, etc).
You can visit any of several nearby sections of the Great Wall by
simply hiring a taxi for the day. This will be much cheaper than a
tour, and puts you in control. Check a good guidebook for the
recommended destinations (Frommer's Beijing or Cadogan guide).

You don't need a tour for the Forbidden City, and are better off
without one. It is in the exact center of Beijing, and you can get
there by taxi from any hotel for a few USD, or by subway if you choose
a hotel near the subway lines. Avoid the tour touts also; the signs
inside are quite detailed. Most tours will emphasize the large and
imposing public buildings, but the real joy of the Palace Museum (its
"official" name) is wandering the private, mostly unrestored areas at
the north end.

Larry