The hills around Beijing are dotted with fascinating sights, the foremost, of course, being the Great Wall. Many of the sights can be seen in a single excursion, which can include other sights just on the outskirts of the city. Nearly all organised tours include a stop at the Ming Tombs on the way to the Great Wall at Badaling and Juyong Guan. The temples of Tanzhe Si and Jietai Si are readily combined as an agreeable day trip, and the intriguing Tianyi Mu, a cemetery for eunuchs on the western outskirts of town, is on the road to the quiet courtyard houses of Chuan Di Xia. Surprisingly, the most enjoyable way to reach many of these sights is by public transport. Although slower than an organised tour, public bus or train travel is flexible, doesn't drag you to dubious attractions, and costs a fraction of the overpriced tours offered by hotels. When heading out of town, avoid weekend mornings when traffic can be gridlocked. Attempting to return on Sunday afternoon is also frustrating.
