A 3days Road Trip Report - Beijing-datong-taiyuan-pingyao

Question

Mr L.had 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 following itinerary much tighter. Before we departed to Datong, Mr L and his family had 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.

Day1. I was in the parking lot outside of the grand foyer,in wangfujing area, 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 going outward of downtown Beijing.And maybe that's why those emperors would rather choose some Fengshui sites far outside of Beijing to sleep forever.

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

The Wall of 八达岭 is 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. To be continued.

Answer

Mr. L. and his family finally embarked on their long-awaited trip to China, despite the pandemic having delayed their plans for over three years. Their journey began in Beijing, coinciding with a record-breaking strong breeze in the city. While the weather posed challenges, their excitement remained undiminished.

Due to the wind, many sites were closed, forcing the family to compress their Beijing itinerary into a single day before departing to Datong. This included visiting most of the main attractions, although the Ming Tombs and Badaling Great Wall were postponed for a later excursion on the way to Datong.

Day 1: Beijing

The day started at Wangfujing, where the family gathered half an hour ahead of schedule. The morning traffic in Beijing proved challenging, reminding them why emperors historically selected Feng Shui-favored sites outside the city for their tombs. The Ming Tombs, surrounded by lush hills and golden rooftops, impressed with their scenic beauty. Visitors should note that the underground palace may be closed due to weather, so checking notices in advance is recommended.

Badaling Great Wall was crowded as usual, despite being a weekday. While convenient for their onward journey to Datong, the family noted that other, less crowded sections of the Wall could offer a more relaxed experience.

Travel Tips from the Trip:

Check weather conditions and closures in advance, especially during windy or stormy days.
Plan the Ming Tombs and Badaling Great Wall as separate excursions if possible to avoid rushed visits.
Be prepared for Beijing traffic, particularly during morning departures.
Other Wall segments such as Mutianyu or Simatai can provide a quieter and more scenic experience.
Verify opening hours for underground attractions at the Ming Tombs, which can be closed in adverse weather.

The first day in Beijing was intense but rewarding, setting the stage for their continued journey to Datong and beyond. The combination of historical sites, city bustle, and strong winds made for a memorable, albeit tight, itinerary.

The trip continues with the Datong leg, where further exploration of northern China’s heritage and landscapes awaited.