A latest autotravel report (Beijing to Pingyao) 1

Question

Mr.L had planned this family travel to China for many days, but the pandemic came and things delayed for more than three years. Finally they were in Beijing.Just at the same time with the violent breeze in record history of the north capital city.

Sure, the excitement was still there, barely affected by the diversion during the flight landing, nor the bothering willow seeds flying around.

But the strong breeze did closed many sites and made the itinerary much tighter. Before we went to Datong, Mr L and his family have to use one day to visit almost all the main attractions of Beijing.

The Ming Tombs and the badaling Great Wall were not in that day, given that they on the way to Datong and we can make an excursion.

I was in the parking lot outside of the grand foyer, half hour in advance of the agreed departure time. Ice breaking meet was smooth,but driving in morning traffic was not that pleasant, even for outward of downtown Beijing.And maybe that's why those emperors would rather choose some Fengshui sites outside of Beijing to sleep forever.

Truly good Fengshui(wind&water) sites Ming Tombs are located in. Even the surrounding hills look lusher, and made the golden roofs inside more splendid.But the underground palace was not open, maybe because of the wind. For those who care about that under part, check the notice in advance is necessary.

The Wall of 八达岭 was as crowded as usual, even in such a workday. Not much to say about such a popular site. But I would definitely recommend other segments of the Wall,if it's not for the convenient excursion on our way to Datong.

Answer

Mr. L and his family finally managed to begin their long-planned China trip, arriving in Beijing after pandemic-related delays. Despite unusually strong winds during their arrival, the family remained excited, although the gusts created some minor inconveniences, such as willow seeds flying around and site closures that tightened their schedule.

Due to time constraints and the strong wind, the family dedicated a day to cover almost all major attractions within Beijing city. Some key sites, such as the Ming Tombs and Badaling Great Wall, were postponed for later visits on the way to Datong, as these locations are more convenient en route.

Mr. L’s report highlights the morning experience of meeting the driver and navigating Beijing traffic, which was less than pleasant despite arriving early for departure. This emphasizes the appeal of historical emperors choosing sites outside the city with better Feng Shui for their resting places.

The Ming Tombs, located in a scenic area with lush surrounding hills, offered splendid views of golden roofs. However, the underground palace was closed due to the wind, so visitors interested in exploring it should check notices beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Regarding the Great Wall at Badaling, it was crowded even on a weekday, reflecting its popularity. While convenient for their Datong excursion, other less-crowded Wall segments are recommended for travelers seeking a calmer experience.

Plan extra travel time for city traffic when departing Beijing in the morning.
Check local weather, as high winds can close attractions like the underground tombs and affect outdoor visits.
For the Great Wall, consider visiting less popular sections if you prefer fewer crowds.

Overall, the day was efficient in covering Beijing’s major city sites despite the weather, and careful planning allowed the family to enjoy highlights while postponing distant attractions for later, smoother visits.

Ming Tombs: visit scenic above-ground areas if underground palace is closed.
Badaling Great Wall: accessible and popular, but expect crowds even on weekdays.
Other Great Wall segments: recommended for less crowded experiences.

The report underscores the importance of flexibility when traveling in Beijing, considering weather, traffic, and site schedules, while still allowing a fulfilling sightseeing day before moving on to Datong.

A latest autotravel report (Beijing to Pingyao) 1

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