I want to travel to see the Great Wall of China.. should I...?

I was wondering if I should look into booking with a travel group or if I should go through a site like Expedia/ others? I dont speak the language and would have no idea on how to get around. Any helpful hints, or sites, or travel groups would be awesome! Thanks!! *ps. 4 people, three girls/ guy, 20-31 yrolds*

It depends on how adventurous you are! Even if you don't speak the language, you can get around, and with four of you are pretty safe. With most tours, you'll spend 2x as much or more then you would going on your own, and your time at the wall will be curtailed by trips to junky little shops trying to sell you overpriced pearls and nicknacks. You can ask the information desk at your hotel to negotiate with a taxi for you to take you up, wait for you, and bring you down. I've seen tours that ran 140 dollars a person for what will turn out to be 2 hours at the wall at the most, (though most throw in the Ming tombs, too) A taxi, if you bargain, will be more convenient, more comfortable and will cost you about 70-100 TOTAL, depending on how long you want to be up there. Be aware that the taxi will likely ask you for all the money as soon as you arrive at the Wall--this may be because he'd love to pick someone else up while you're on the Wall and scoot home, but it could also be because some fares are unscrupulous and try to get home on some bus or other once they are there. The best thing to do is offer him half at that time, and the other half when you arrive back at your hotel. THe hotel manager can help you negotiate all this.

The best tour, if you'd like to do it that way, I'd go to the BTG Tours on Jianguomen, where you can get an all day tour to the Simitai Great Wall (One of the nicest, least "touristy" parts of the wall--taxis will probably only take you to Badaling). They will pick up at your hotel and return you there. You'll have to bring your own food. I believe the cost is around $30 a person. It's an all day excursion. You can call Maggie there at 13501035004 once you reach Beijing. She speaks English. The tour is usually only every other day--T/TH/Sat when I last had anyone go on it.

If you have any more questions, need anything, just write.

i think booking with a travel gp would be better.... you can try looking up for day tours to the great wall of china.
yeah... it will be a little tough for you & your friends to travel around if none of u know how to speak and understand mandarin.... also.... if i remember correctly, transportation is not really convienent in beijing (assuming tat's where u and ur frens are heading).
yeah.. better to book a day trip to the Great Wall of China.

Have fun & travel safe!! =D

Go for it, it is great!

If you don't speak the language and have no idea how to get around, your best bet is going with a travel agency, because they're experienced and know where to take you.

Various kinds of great wall tours:
http://www.happybeijingtour.com/infoshow...

Wish you can enjoy them!