Private Layover Tour to Mutianyu Great Wall from Beijing Airport

Rushed but beautiful photos taken

We had David as tour guide and Mr. Wong as driver. It began from pick up at the airport. Since we arrived at noon, so picked up some lunch before hopping on the ride to the Great Wall. Along the way, we stopped by a jade gallery for about 30 mins. I see other tour bus there too, so guessing that others go there as a stop too. We were briefly briefed about jade and were taken to the showroom to shop and purchase. The experience was not stressful but the sales were president to sell. Our family just politely declined and waited by our car outside. We then continued on and arrived at the Great Wall in 15 mins. The wait time for chairlift up was 45mins. Once we were up, we took some good photos. To get down, we opted for the slide. The wait was over an hour but was fun. Afterward, our family declined the tour to stop at the tea museum on our way back because we figured that it would be like the jade gallery where we felt pressure to make the purchase. Throughout the tour, David stayed with us but we all felt rushed. He was constantly say come here, go there or this way. This fast pace was unexpected. His English was ok, communicatie-able and we understood him most of the time. We felt that if he wasn’t rushing us all the times, the tour would have been more enjoyable. The reason we chose this tour is because they can pick you up at the airport then drop you off at the hotel at the end. We wanted to give this tour a high rating but the service really felt short for us. I’d still recommend this tour for those arriving early and maybe it would not be as rushy.

Response from the operator: Hello dear Ip, Soo May: I'm sorry to hear that your trip didn't meet your expectations! Due to the heavy traffic in Beijing, there are many tourists queuing up for the cable car during the peak tourist season. Your time is indeed quite tight. Your tour guide David said he accompanied you until you requested to return then taking you to queue up on the slide. Jade factory and tea ceremony are experiences of traditional Chinese culture, and it is your free choice. We will never force consumption. Regarding your feedback that 'He was always saying come here, go there or this way', he explained that helping you take photos of the best location and you did not adopt the idea. The tour you booked includes airport or nearby hotel transfers. additional fees are required for exceeding the scope,We did not charge you this fee The hotel we received your notification about is incorrect, after David verifying with you, they safely transported you to the correct hotel. Based on your feedback, the tour guide David will be punished. Thank you for your understanding and support, and we will continue to work hard to do our best. Wishing you a happy life! Best regard! Jenny

via Viator

Great Wall Tour

Very efficient and great way to see the Great Wall. I had limited time in Beijing and a flight out late afternoon. Figuring a way to get to the Wall and make my flight was daunting (as many of the group tours are 8 or 9 hours), but this trip made it so easy. I was picked up at my Beijing Hotel at 7 a.m. and had a very comfortable ride to the Great Wall at Mutianyu. We were literally the first people at the Wall, took the chair lift at Tower 6 (that you pay extra for but IMO was worth it) and Jenny gave a very nice tour and experience around the first few Towers we visited. Then she headed back down and I had several hours to explore and was able to walk up to Tower 20 and back and take the surprisingly fun toboggan back down. From Tower 6 to Tower 14 I saw only one person -- a worker and it was spectacular to be at the Wall, and especially do to basically be up there without the hoards. There is a gondola at Tower 14 so by the time I got there, others were exploring, but still, it was relatively empty. I had plenty of time at the Great Wall and was back down by the private car. My one "complaint" was that I was then asked about a jade tour or tea ceremony which I wasn't really that interested in, but I still felt I had plenty of time at the Wall. One might want to clarify that up front, as I felt that on a private tour that wasn't really advertised. I wound up doing the tea ceremony (although I could have begged off of it I'm sure) which was actually kind of nice, although it is basically a sales pitch. Still, it was okay and I wound up buying some tea. We then easily made it to the airport and Jenny saw me all the way to check-in. She was very pleasant and nice and everything about the tour made my visit to the Wall quite easy and comfortable. That alone made this well worth the $ in my opinion.

via Tripadvisor

Tour of the Great Wall

The tour was absolutely incredible!! The tour guide was on time, personable, kind, and extremely knowledgeable. She gave us background information and offered to take several pictures of us. She truly went above and beyond especially when some of us forgot our money in the car she didn’t hesitate to loan us money so we could do all the activities we wanted to do. She also went out of her way to set up a delicious lunch for us. It was the most incredible experience and best tour I have ever experienced. Thank you Jenny!! You made this tour something I will remember for the rest of my life!!

via Tripadvisor

Great (Wall) Tour, exiting and wonderful

Thanks for the individual Tour, as we arrived in Peking pick up was easy and the description great explained...only the waiting in line at 5am twice is a bit of a hassle. So after two hours we begun to drive in a nice luxury car with wonderful guidance with all questions e had in perfect English and well prepared. Arriving at the wall was nice as we had no other guests or visitors disturbing our experience, at 9am in the morning. After two walks on the wall in -2C degree temperature, we decided to move on. Thanks for the warm coats and sharing the taken pictures!!! as we did get tired due to jet-lag, we only did want to see the jade arts and jewelry shop as well as being part of a tea ceremony, very exiting - but we could not do TCM nature health pharmacy....we have been just soo tired. Very nice guidance and support of our situation by the guide returning to the airport and make sure we get save to the departure gate. Wonderful and exiting trip worth the money!

via Tripadvisor

Excellent Experience

I’m a school advisor and wasn’t sure how our 24 hour layover would turn out with 7 American High school students. We scheduled a pick up at the hotel to the Great Wall. The chair lift was fun but the toboggan down was the most enjoyable experience. Lunch was prepared for us at the end of our toboggan ride and we made it to the airport in time to catch our flight to Korea. The kids had a once in a life time experience.

via Tripadvisor