Not as cold as yesterday but still brisk enough we layer up in defence of the -1 winds.

Having discussed the Great Wall again we decide to go on another trip to a different section today. The trip is via our hostel and well run, no hidden shopping trips just the wall! We drive for two hours to mutianyu and get a cable car to the top (100 yuan return), the views are fabulous. We immediately agree this is exactly what we pictured in terms of a true Great Wall experience.

To the left of the cable car exit you have a mix of flat surfaces and steps meandering through the mountain, it then reaches the base of a steep climb and you have the option of climbing the steps to see from the peak of one of the slopes, we walked near the base found a sun trap and sat for 30 minutes just taking it all in.

We then walked back to the cable car entrance and took the right turn which brought us to a series of watch towers, the walk was mostly downhill and the sights were breath-taking - to the left a mountain range and you could see as far as the wall continued before disappearing over the summit. Our piece was mostly restored but we could see further to the more authentic parts in ruins. We then opted for a downhill walk rather than using the cable car and met our group for lunch which was similar to the feast on Wednesday but with a busier table as our tour had a coach full from Norway, Australia, UK, Germany etc.

We returned home and decided to search for the Summer Palace and a lake that Matt had read great reviews about on trip advisor - it apparently has a fab nightlife. We arrived at the palace by metro and sadly it has closed so ask the staff and a local cab driver to direct us to the lake - no one seems to know it or where it is despite Matts info stating it's near this palace. We are forced to give up as our Chinese is beyond basic and everyone we speak to doesn't seem to know an ounce of English or want to be of assistance at all. It does feel like some people here are genuinely avoid helping tourist, the taxi man doesn't answer Matt at all and once again we are dropped at the wrong place. The traffic warden just stares and laughs at us, our directions are written in Chinese but still it's apparently no use - the staring is beginning to frustrate Jacqueline as it's so blatant it's ridiculous - we head back on the metro and have an early night packing up for Shanghai.