China Travel Forum

[Walter]

I'm going to Beijing for the first time in March and I have most of my travel experience from European countries I really don't know about China.

I want to do a day-trip to the Great Wall and after having searched this forum it looks like the best way is to avoid organised tours and go to Simatai by taxi instead. According to my LP I can't expect Chinese taxi drivers to speak English so how do you hire a taxi driver for a day? Do you just hail someone from the street early in the morning and ask him if he is ready for a 9-hour trip (that's the way it worked when I was in Bangladesh)? Is it difficult to make an agreement about lenght of trip, place and price when there is a language barrier?

Thanks for any info.

[burstbubble]

WELL, I don't think most of the taxi drivers can speak english, you have to bargain with them. And you should know which part the Great Wall you are going to pay a visit cause there are at least 7 sections of Great Wall opened to the toursits in Beijing.

[Sam]

I've gone several times and always hired a taxi right from my hotel. I tend to stay at nicer western hotels that have English speaking doormen that can help with the directions and negotiation. I've never had trouble with non-English speaking drivers. I like to hire nice cars and not one of those ratty little red things. If your hotel doesn't have nice cars lined up outside in the taxi lane, go to one that does. You really don't want to spend 4 or 5 hours riding in an uncomfortable vehicle, especially after a somewhat physical hike at Simitai. I've paid about ¥400 for the day but you might be able to negotiate cheaper. I generally don't get too agressive when negotiating taxis for the day because I don't like to start off on the wrong foot.