Page 36 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Beijing

34 ❯❯ Top 10 Beijing Highlights

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China snakes over deserts, hills, and plains for
several thousand miles. At its closest point it is less than 40 miles
(65 km) from Beijing. Created after the unification of China under
Qin Shi Huangdi (221–210 BC), it ultimately proved ineffective; it
was breached in the
13th century by the
Mongols and again,
in the 17th century,
by the Manchus.
There are four main
sites accessible from
Beijing: Badaling,
Mutianyu, Huanghua
Cheng, and Simatai.

Badaling
1
The restored Ming
fortification at Badaling
is the closest section of
the wall to Beijing. Its
accessibility means it
is perpetually busy.
However, it is possible
to escape the crowds
by walking along the
wall; and the views
are spectacular. Great Wall of China snaking through lush hills
Great Wall
Commune by
2 3
the Great Wall
Museum
Housed in an imitation Near the wall at Badaling,
Qing dynasty building at the Commune consists of
Badaling, the museum 12 villas, each designed
(left) presents the by a different Asian
history of the region architect. The complex
from Neolithic times, operates as a hotel, but
as well as detailing the non-guests can drop by
construction of the wall. for lunch, or take a tour.
NEED TO KNOW Mutianyu: 56 miles (90 km) • This area is extremely
Badaling: 44 miles (70 km) N of Beijing; 6162 6505; hot in summer and
NW of Beijing; 6912 2222; Bus 916 from Dong Zhi bitterly cold in winter.
Bus 877 from Desheng Men bus station, change at Go prepared: bring sun
Men; open 7am–6pm Huairou; open 7am–6pm cream and lots of water
daily; adm ¥45 daily; adm ¥45 in the warmer months,
Xizhazi: 60 miles (96 km) Huanghua Cheng: 37 miles and layers in winter.
N of Beijing; Bus 936 from (60 km) N of Beijing; 6165 • There are snack kiosks
Dong Zhi Men bus station, 1044; open 8am–5pm at each of the main four
to Yujiayuan station, then Mon–Fri, 7:30am–5:30pm sites, but it’s better to
bus H25 to Xizhazi station Sat & Sun; adm ¥45 bring your own food.

Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
Three-column, 8.25pt grid “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.5)
034-035_Top_10_Beijing.indd 34 28/06/2017 10:32
Date 12th May 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm