Start of Great Wall - Qinhuangdao

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This is our first trip travelling by train in China. It's a 3 days tour but we have only 1 full day in the city as the travelling by train takes 3 hours plus.

This is a historical city where the Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China begins from the sea (called Lao Long Tou or Old Dragon Head). We planned to visit that section of the great wall . We booked a taxi to take us and agree to pay him by the meter. The driver recommended us another section of the great water called Jiu Men Kou which has a section built across a river. It was a good recommendation but became unpleasant when the driver insisted that the section of the great wall near the sea had been closed and the important great all pass "Shan Hai Guan" is also closed for renovation. We ended up taking pictures of the Old Dragon Head from afar and went back to hotel.

Not convinced that the other 2 desinations were closed, we got another taxi to drive us there on the second day. We were luckier this time as this driver frank and honest. We also negotiate to pay a fixed fee instead of paying by meter. We visited both the Old Dragon Head and the Shan Hai Guan. Because of the time lost on the first day, we can only visit this 2 place on the second day.

On the third day, we booked the driver we found on the second day to drive us around before going to the train station. We went to Beidaihe beach which is very well know in China. We were there in Dec 07. Its very cold but trade off is there is very few tourist so travelling around is very easy and you can take nice photos without the crowds.


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Photos

Beginning of the eastern section of Great Wall of China
The eastern section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall starts from here and joins the other sections that extends 8800km westwards ending at Gansu.

Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China
Ming Dynasty Great Wall - Jiu Men Kou section. This section of the Great Wall was built across the river.

Beidaihe beach
This is a popular beach during the summer so you can only take such photo during winter time.