24 hour Transit Without Visa to Beijing and Side Trips

5 Days Group Tour in Summer North Korea (DPRK)
June 12 to 16, 2018

North Korea Introduction, Planning and Preparation

I initially challenged the 24-hour Transit Without Visa (TWOV) eligibility of being Philippine passport holder on my 40th solo backpacking trip going to Ulaanbatar, Mongolia (Feb.2015). There were no difference on the process, even though I arrived early morning in Beijing last time. On lane of 24-hr transit in Beijing airport, I just showed to Immigration Officer my outbound ticket (both going to Pyongyang and going to Abu Dhabi).

No visa is required for foreigners who hold tickets to  final destination and have booked seats on international airlines, transiting directly through China, and will stay for less than 24 hours and do not leave the specified transit area (Transit WithOut Visa).

http://www.theviewingdeck.com/2013/04/how-to-get-chinese-l-tourist-visa-as.html

24-hour direct transit in China, also called the 24-hour transit without visa (24-hour TWOV for short), regulates that visa is not required for air, train, and ship passengers transiting in mainland China for a stay of no more than 24 hours before heading for a third country or region. The 24-hour direct transit is available for passengers holding onward air, cruise or train ticket with confirmed seat to a third country or region. Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan can be regarded as a third region in this respect. For instance, if a passenger travels like USA – Beijing – Hong Kong – USA, there is no doubt that this route qualifies for China 24 hour TWOV.
https://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-transit-24hour.htm

24 hour Transit Without Visa to Beijing and Side Trips (Tienanmen Square)

Beijing City tour last part; Visiting Great Wall of China in Badaling

6 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 21 to February 26, 2015

Beijing City tour 1st part; Morning to Ming Dynasty Tombs

Great Wall of China in Mutianyu, a Great Self-Guided Solo Trip (Jan. 2013)

How to go Great Wall of China in Badaling;
Parking lot north of Deshengmen Arrow Tower - Jishuitan Stn (line 2) Exit A then bus #877 12CNY fare 1-way. Other way is via Xizhinmen Stn (line 2) Exit A. Beijing North Stn Depart (S209 1057H) Leave (S222 1621H) 6CNY fare 1-way. Whole hiking takes 2-3 hours (3.7km). Walk from Tower No.1 (main entrance )  up to the highest Tower No.8, then walk down to Tower 12 ( near Bear Garden). Pass by Bear Garden, then walk about 10mins back to the Tower 1.

I decided to book (walked-in in Qianmen near Qianmen Hostel) my Beijing whole day city tour because I am already exhausted as this was my 15th day journey across Northeast Asia which started in Japan followed by Mongolia. 

BEIJING CITY WHOLE DAY TOUR (180CNY/$30) PACKAGE INCLUDES
- pick-up (0630H) and drop-off (1700H) transportation from hotel
- entrance fees on both Great Wall of China in Badaling and Ming Dynasty Tombs 
- english-speaking guide and chinese lunch 

ITINERARY FOR BEIJING CITY WHOLE DAY TOUR
​0630H ETD Qianmen meeting place
0900H Ming Dynasty Tombs
1000H Jade Factory Tour & lunch
1200H Great Wall of China Badaling via sliding car (100CNY)
1400H ETD Great Wall
1500H Silk Factory Tour
1700H ETA Tianmen Square

Great Wall of China Badaling section is the best preserved and the most popular one amongst all the sections. It is more than 1,000 meters (3281 ft) above sea level, and commands a strategic position for transportation and defense in ancient times. Badaling, literally meaning "reach eight directions", got its name because the maze of its ridges stretches in all directions. It is easily accessible and has easy walking conditions.
http://www.chinahighlights.com/greatwall/section/badaling-greatwall.htm

Beijing City tour last part; Visiting Great Wall of China in Badaling

Beijing City tour 1st part; Morning to Ming Dynasty Tombs

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

China Train Ride Experience during Lunar New Year Week 

I decided to book (walked-in in Qianmen near Qianmen Hostel) my Beijing whole day city tour because I am already exhausted as this was my 15th day journey across Northeast Asia which started in Japan followed by Mongolia. 

BEIJING CITY WHOLE DAY TOUR (180CNY/$30) PACKAGE INCLUDES
- pick-up (0630H) and drop-off (1700H) transportation from hotel
- entrance fees on both Great Wall of China in Badaling and Ming Dynasty Tombs 
- english-speaking guide and chinese lunch 

ITINERARY FOR BEIJING CITY WHOLE DAY TOUR
​0630H ETD Qianmen meeting place
0900H Ming Dynasty Tombs
1000H Jade Factory Tour & lunch
1200H Great Wall of China Badaling via sliding car (100CNY)
1400H ETD Great Wall
1500H Silk Factory Tour
1700H ETA Tianmen Square

Ming Dynasty Tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by the Chinese Ming dynasty emperors. However, the majority of the Ming tombs are located in a cluster near Beijing and collectively known as the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty. The site, on the southern slope of Tianshou Mountain (originally Huangtu Mountain), was chosen based on the principles of feng shui by the third Ming dynasty emperor. After the construction of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) in 1420, the Yongle Emperor selected his burial site and created his own mausoleum. The subsequent emperors placed their tombs in the same valley.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_tombs

Beijing City tour 1st part; Morning to Ming Dynasty Tombs

China Train Ride Experience during Lunar New Year Week

7 Days Solo Trip Revisiting Winter Mainland China

February 20 to 26, 2015

Zhangjiajie Tour last part; Tianmen Mountain's other Scenic Area

I booked and paid all my train rides during this 7-days trip via walked-in only because online booking has additional commission plus requirement of hotel address where it has be delivered. Moreover, my ultimate reason was all of my preferred schedule was fully booked/not available on just a month preparation before the flight date. Even so, this was also what I did on my 1st visit last January 2013, booking directly in ticket office.

DESTINATION: Beijing to Harbin Train #2265 285CNY($46) 18hr30min overnight ride (Feb20, hard sleeper)
REMARKS: booked during Beijing Airport Terminal 3 transit. No wifi, no electric outlet, with central toilet, personal pillow and comforter.

DESTINATION: Changsha to Zhangjiajie 54.5CNY($9) Train #536 5hr30min morning ride (Feb23, ordinary seat)
REMARKS: booked during the day and time of departure. No wifi, no electric outlet, with central toilet, crowdy, lots of baggage in aisle. 

DESTINATION: Zhangjiajie to Beijing Train #536 229CNY($37) 26hr overnight ride (Feb24, standing no seat)

REMARKS: booked in Beijing Railway Station before Harbin departure. No wifi, no electric outlet, with central toilet, crowdy, lots of baggage in aisle.

China Train Ride Experience during Lunar New Year Week (Beijing to Harbin)

Splendid Nanshan Outdoor Ice Skiing

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China

january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

Beijing City tour (CCTV Building & Tienanmen Square)

how to go here;

Shuttle buses every day depart at 8:30am from two stops （Sanyuan Bridge and Wudaokou Subway）. Sanyuan bridge is located 1km away from Sanyuanqiao station of line 10 (blue) while wudaokou subway is located in line 13 (yellow). Return fares are RMB 40 per person. Make your booking 1 day in advance via 010-89091909.
 
My expenses/itinerary for a whole day ice escapade includes the following;
0700H ETD hostel bound to qianmen station (line 2, blue)
subway interchange at yizhimen station (line 13, yellow)
0800H ETA wudaokou station (2cny)
breakfast at kfc (16cny)
0830H ETD shuttle bound to nanshan ski (20cny)
0930H ETA nanshan ski entrance fee (20cny)
ski, including ski rental and lift ticket for 4 hours (240cny w/ 340cny deposit)
suit rental, locker, pair of goggles, helmet, pair of gloves
snacks (38cny)
1700H ETD nanshan ski (20cny)
TOTAL: 356cny ($59.3 = PhP2,373) from 07000H to 1800H day trip

nanshan ski resort

Beijing City Tour (CCTV Building & Jingshan Park)

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China

january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

Beijing City tour (summer palace & temple of heaven)

how to go to CCTV headquarters;
Guomao station of line 10 (light blue).

The CCTV Headquarters is not a traditional tower, but a loop of six horizontal and vertical sections covering 473,000 m2 (5,090,000 sq ft) of floor space, creating an irregular grid on the building's facade with an open center. The construction of the building is considered to be a structural challenge, especially because it is in a seismic zone. Because of its radical shape, it's said that a taxi driver first came up with its nickname dà kùchǎ, roughly translated as, "big boxer shorts".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Central_Television_Headquarters

CCTV Headquarters

CCTV Headquarters

Beijing City Tour (Old Summer Palace & Temple of Heaven)

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China

january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

Beijing Olympic Park night shots

How to go to summer palace;
Old summer palace station of Daxing line (blue-green) of subway.


The Summer Palace (literally "Gardens of Nurtured Harmony") is a palace in Beijing, China. The Summer Palace is mainly dominated by Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. In December 1998, UNESCO included the Summer Palace on its World Heritage List. It declared the Summer Palace "a masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design. The natural landscape of hills and open water is combined with artificial features such as pavilions, halls, palaces, temples and bridges to form a harmonious ensemble of outstanding aesthetic value.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Palace

old summer palace

old summer palace

Beijing Olympic Park Night Shots

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China

january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

Great Wall of China in Mutianyu, a great DIY trip

I went to this site with the objective to have night shots on the sports arena. I believe this most picturesque at night. The place can be easily navigate through "green" subway, line 8.

The Olympic Green is an Olympic Park in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The Ling Long Pagoda or Linglong Tower (Multifunctional Studio Tower houses a part of the International Broadcast Center (IBC). It is located near the Olympic Cauldron, on the northwest side of the Bird's Nest Stadium. "Ling Long"  means delicate, and is referred to as the Delicate Tower in Chinese.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Green

Beijing National Stadium "Bird's Nest"

Beijing National Stadium "Bird's Nest"

Great Wall of China in Mutianyu, a Great Self-Guided Solo Trip

6-days winter solo backpacking in Mainland China

january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

Tunxi old street night strolling

I thought I could not do it, I thought it was just a dream, I thought it was just in the books and featured in movies. Stunning ancient architectures from the Angkor Wat, to Temple of Jupiter to Great Pyramids and now to Great Wall. Traveling is indeed always a good time, another memorable milestone in my life.

how did I go here (mutianyu);
On peak season, bus #897 is a special trip from dongzhimen station with a fare of 15 cny. For a winter off-peak season this is not available which I just know on the bulletin posted near the entrance. So upon my arrival in the morning in dongzhimen bus station, I checked the other bus #980 which will dropped me to miyun town for Gubeikou entrance of the Wall. But since I still insist to go to Mutianyu side, I asked local how to go there and write the chinese word of Mutianyu in a piece of paper for easy understanding of taxi driver. here's how the journey goes which started from 1000H to 1900H...

ETD hostel from qianmen station to dongzhimen station (subway, 2cny)
ETD dongzhimen bus station bound to minyu town (bus #980, 15cny)
ETD minyu town bound to huairou town (taxi, 60cny)
ETD huairou town bound to mutianyu (taxi, 60cny)
Total: 137cny ($23) from 1000H to 1400H travel time

Great Wall of China in Mutianyu

6 Days Winter Solo Backpacking in Mainland China

snowy escapade birthday celebration in shanghai - huangshan - beijing
january 26 -  february 01, 2013 saturday to friday

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." - Confucius

My 15th country to visit, 21st solo backpacking trip, 3rd visa application for tourism on entire single page, 2nd winter snow travel, 2nd birthday getaway and of course, usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure.

After four (4) attempts of planning for winter backpacking, finally I made it this January 2013. The first plan was on a flight date last Jan. 24 - Feb. 01, 2012 via Beijing-Shanghai-Guangzhou for a birthday trip. Due to change of workplace, I moved this plan to December 06-12, 2012 via Shanghai-Beijing but again not pursued due to unapproved vacation leave. I moved again this plan to Dec. 24 - Jan. 02, 2013 via Shanghai-Beijing-Xi amen but still, for the 3rd time, this trip did not worked-out due to heavy workload at office, how sad holiday celebration.

Great Wall of China Mutianyu, Beijing