Great Wall Mutianyu

After seeing / replying myself to several recent post have decided on hiring a driver and car for the day. Have seen cost of between 400 and 800rmb, which says negotiating price is just like buying goods at the market.

We will be coming fromBeijing. How long is the length of car ride out to Mutianyu? Is it wise to leave really early to avoid rush hour Beijing traffic or wait and go out ( leave 10.00 am)later.lONELY PLANET SAYS its 90km but doesn%26#39;t mention time to sight.

To the locals in Beijing what would you say is a reasonable price to pay for the car. we have 4 persons and none of us are petite.\

Also what other side trips on the way back would you suggest.

Expect to spend the greater part of daylight on this experience!

Great Wall Mutianyu

We went to Mutianyu in January with Qing (private guide). She organised a very comfortable van with an excellent driver for our group of 4 adults. We went to the Sacred Way at the Ming Tombs first, which was very worthwhile, and then approached the wall through the countryside. It was great to see the wall snaking along the ridges from a distance. This was a far more interesting drive than the return trip on the expressway. We had a late lunch at a dumpling restaurant after we had been to the wall.

Qing%26#39;s cost was 300 yuan and I think the van and driver was 800 yuan. This was more economical than going on an ordinary tour but mostly it was just much better.

I think we had use of the van until 5pm, and then we went and looked at the night market with Qing and went to a very good Sichuan restaurant near there with her.

Qing%26#39;s contact is: chineseqing_2008@hotmail.com

Great Wall Mutianyu

We left our hotel near Forbidden City at around 0800 and reached Mutianyu in about 2-2.5 hours.