Beijing, host of the 2008 Olympic Games, has more to offer than just an Olympic venue. Sites like the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven charge an entrance fee. Other sites like the Great Wall and the Ming Tombs require, in addition to entrance fees, an excursion outside of the city. However, there are ways for the frugal traveler to cut costs.
The big Wall
Seeing some sections of the Great Wall is a must (seeing it all takes ages). It is located outside of the city and getting there can be expensive. Tours in English are expensive. Guided tours in Chinese? One tenth to one fifth of the cost. Chinese-language minibus tours depart every morning from the street just south of the Great Hall of the People in Tian’anmen Square. Tickets can be purchased at the curbside booth prior to departure. We stopped at four different sections of the wall, Badaling being the most popular, commercial and crowded, and three others where we were the only people we could see.
Note: Please make sure to get back to the minibus on time or the driver will drop you off. Times will be called out in Chinese, so please clarify with the driver. One of the tricks I use when I travel to non-English speaking countries is to take a pad of paper and a pen with me. I point to my digital travel clock and write down a time that I think it is. The driver will usually pick up the pen and set it to the correct time.
Donghua Men’s Night Market
One of the attractions of Beijing is exotic food, if only to watch the locals eat. Anything and everything is available at the Donghua Men Night Market, from snakes to seahorses, everything you can imagine and more. The night markets are a great place to people watch and of course it’s free.
Gardens Around the Temple of Heaven
There is an entrance fee to the must-see Temple of Heaven, but the beautiful gardens that surround it are free to wander. Not only is the scenery beautiful, but in the mornings especially the parks are full of locals doing their morning exercises (like Tai Chi)
Tiananmen Square
Located in the heart of Beijing, Tiananmen Square is one of its symbols. The square itself is free to explore and is surrounded by monuments and Chairman Mao’s mausoleum. At sunrise and sunset, there is a flag raising and lowering ceremony.
Beijing is one of the cities to see in the world. With thousands of years of culture and history, it is sure to fascinate.