Interested in booking a private driver in Beijing to go to the Great Wall?
It can be done!
If it’s within your budget, I recommend considering having a private driver to take you to the Great Wall. It is so much better than being on a crowded tour bus with people you don’t know.
Many hotels offer this service but I found my hotel to be quite expensive! So I looked online and found credible discussions of drivers and was able to book an impromptu excursion to the Great Wall.
Here’s my review of Mark’s driving services in China, and the link to his contact information on TripAdvisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294212-d2518896-Reviews-Mark_s_Guide_Driver_Service_Day_Tour-Beijing.html
I found Mark on the Tripadvisor forums. When a business appointment fell through, I found myself with a free day in Beijing. I emailed him the night before (!) asking him if he could take me to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall. He was not free, but he sent his colleague Harry. I had a lovely memorable excursion hiking by myself on the Great Wall. Harry was polite, on time, and helpful. He waited for me at the bottom of the wall for a few hours as I explored, and helped me find snacks and water afterwards on our way back. I would really recommend both Harry and Mark’s services. For those of you who are concerned, I am a single young woman and felt very comfortable using Mark’s company. Mark emailed me with the drivers name, license plate number, ID, etc., and there were no problems what so ever. I recommend the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, we left Beijing at 7:30am and so I had a few hours on the Wall with few other tourists before the tourist buses pulled up around lunch time. Thanks Mark!!!
And here are some photos and comments of my time at the Great Wall:
