There was a program everyone was using in Beijing when I was there to get past the government blocks and access facebook. But hell if I can remember the name of it now. If other members' suggestions don't work, I can try asking some of the people I met there if they remember the name of it.
All I remember is the logo was a white bird.
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Yeah 天津 might be better, considering the absolute speed you can get there. I was going to fly out from Beijing but apparently Shenyang has direct flights too (thought not as many per day) and after factoring Shenyang to Beijing D-train costs, it wan't worth it. At least it's still comparably warm down there. Monday's forecast for Shenyang is calling for Rain/Snow. YAY.
I know, I just got back from Changchun, you live in a bloody cold part of the world! Here I am in Beijing complaining about it being 15 degrees celsius. What happened to my Canadian spirit? When I first came here I was wearing short sleeved t-shirts while everyone was in their goosedowns. Hey, the next time you're on a high-speed train take a look at the window and you might just see my glass. If it is my glass I'm happy for you and I'll let you finish, but I'd just like to say that Beijing Mingdun has the best safety records for glazings on trains OF ALL TIME, OF ALL TIME!
Chibi, when you go to the great wall go to simatai to avoid the tourists, it's one of the more worn out parts of the wall and is generally cooler.
Or if you go to Badaling either go super early or later in the evening (and be prepared to bribe some gate keepers to stay open) so you have the wall mostly to yourself. Furthermore, if you are able to physically make it, the hike on Badaling to the left is better because it is steeper less tourists go that way, and eventually you get to a part of the wall that has trees growing out of it because it hasn't been maintained at all. This part is a bit dangerouse but not too terribly so. The last tour bus out of badaling usually leaves around 3:00pm so it becomes a lot less crowded after that. However, I own a car here so I can have more freedom in how I move around. Don't use illegal taxis, but I imagine that is something you already know.
I hope you're having a great time in China![/QUOTE]
We mus have approached the wall from different directions, because to my recollection, the Great Wall at Badaling was steeper on the
right side. The left side was the side that had been more heavily renovated throughout the years and was less steep.
