Updated: May 24, 2020
Food market closed
3*
We visited Wangfujing Street mainly for the food market, however it seems to be (information from varied sources) permanently closed, which was disappointing. Other than that, it is a bright, vibrant street with places to eat and more significantly, a large number of high end shops readily available; not really our thing but may appeal to some who want to browse.
Updated: May 26, 2020
First Experience of China
5*
This was the first landmark I visited and despite being somewhat jet lagged it was a great experience hence the 5 stars. It is located 'outside' of the city but connected to the subway so getting there was easy. It's location outside the city means it feels more natural and less urban/touristy which I appreciated. Entrance for two of us was only 120RMB (peak season as well) and includes mostly all the attractions inside. Suzhou Street is a cool experience, directly accessible entering via the Palace Gate. There is a fair amount of walking involved, especially up to the Temples at the summit of the hill, but the view is worth it. We didn't walk around the lake as it looks like it would take a very long time, but I can imagine it would be very tranquil and act as an escape from central Beijing so to speak. There weren't to many tourists, however it was a damp, misty day (morning) and almost the end of peak season. There are food and shops dotted around although we didn't purchase anything inside. Overall, the site can be covered easily in a day and it was nice to take in the views and learn a little about Chinese culture/history.
Updated: May 26, 2020
Incredible Views
5*
We got here with Mubus from Beijing (see other reviews) arriving at around 2pm. We opted for just the entrance tickets (40RMB per person) as the add-ons like the cable car were far more expensive (+120RMB pp). My girlfriend did do the chairlift up and toboggan/slide down (previous year) which she said was worth it however.
As we were part of a tour, the guide handled tickets and we got a free lift to the entrance (the ticket office and actual entrance are some distance a part and you have to get a shuttle at 15RMB pp to get there otherwise). We were recommend to take the path up to tower 10 and proceed from there. The walk up to tower 10 from the Great Wall entrance is tough and certainly the cable car is suggested for anyone who struggles with moderate exercise. The walk up took roughly 20 minutes. We went on a clear day (we waited to book our tour until we were certain of the weather conditions) and the 40RMB plus 20 minute walk was absolutely worth it when you arrive at Tower 10 and take in the view. From Tower 10 we walked all the way to Tower 20 (the last accessible tower) taking as many photos as possible along the way; there was certainly no shortage of scenic photo opportunities. The wall is well maintained and there is a good balance between necessities (e.g. bins) and shops, and keeping a natural vibe; it didn't seem touristy at all and felt like genuinely scaling an ancient wall. The walking conditions, of course, are sketchy, but this only adds to the experience (note: wear appropriate footwear!). The climb to Tower 20 is not for the faint hearted, but again the view was well and truly worth it. The walk from Tower 10 to Tower 20 took roughly 1 hour 30 minutes with photo stops a long the way. Not stopping on the way back makes it quicker, and then we descended via the same route from Tower 10. Despite being a world renowned attraction, it did not feel busy at all, possibly as the afternoon, we were told, is less crowded.
In conclusion, this experience of China, to date, has been my personal favourite. I truly recommend a visit, not just to 'tick-off' another famous site, but because it is genuinely awe inspiring.
