Some trip advice (Beijing area)

[Silent]

Next monday early morning I'm scheduled to arrive at Beijing int Airport. As I will be in Beijing at least three more times during my 5 week trip I'm considering to skip Beijing. For a short (almost one week) trip before returning to Beijing for departure on a North Korea tour. So I wonder:

- Are their convenient public transport options from Beijing Int. Airport to Jinshanling or Simatai Great Wall?

- What would be the better option Simatai or Jinshanling?

- Is it a good plan to visit the wall for a few hours and to move on to Chengde or is it worthwhile to stay the night?

- I did a quick search foraccomodation that didn't turn up too much, but I assume there are plenty of options. Correct?

- Is it worth to visit nearby Wuling Shan?

For the weeklong trip I'm considering the following destinations: Simatai/Jinshanling, Chengde, Eastern Qing tombs, Pan Shan Scenic area (and depending on time Tianjin). Any opinions on that?

As the transport I need is pretty local I assume it won't be effected too heavily by the migration due too autumn festival and national day or amI too optimistic about this?

For the North Korea tour I need to store some luggage in Beijing as gps, large zoomcamera's etc are not allowed. What secure options are there to store luggage for 8 days in Beijing? I'm thinking about some cheap but reliable hotel. Any suggestions?

[WestTexas]

Skip the Qing tombs. They aren't anywhere near cool enough to see on a one week tour.

[大肚男]

I'll second skipping the tombs, unless you have time. Also, according to the internet simatai is closed right now.

[WestTexas]

Also, I have been to Beijing like 9 times and have never been to Tianjin. Every time I go to Beijing I think, 'Oh maybe I'll go to Tianjin." Then I go look around online and there doesn't seem to be any sort of tourist sites at all there. So I've never gone.

I assume there is a reason why the Forbidden City isn't on your list.

If you want to check out some other places that are cool, I would suggest the Summer Palace or the National Museum. Both are reachable by metro, and the National Museum is free.

[imron]

This thread, while old, might also provide some ideas.

What would be the better option Simatai or Jinshanling?

Why not hike from Jinshanling to Simatai (takes a few hours), that way solving the problem entirely. In my opinion, the hike along that part of the wall is far better than just visiting one of those sites.

[roddy]

Might not be feasible if Simatai is closed, or might involve finding a route up to the wall over local farmers' land, which may well involve some negotiation. The hike is well worth doing if possible though.

The Eastern Qing Tombs I've heard good things about (tombs in general get a bad rap due to the Ming Tombs being a bit of a disappointment) but never visited myself.

[Silent]

Thanks for the reactions. It looks however that the intended North Korea tour is not going to happen. So now it's up to plan B. A North Korea tour departing from Dandong. So it's time to arrange that tour and make a new global plan.