I am going to Beijing for the Olympics and want of course to see the Great Wall whilst I am there. Is it easy to organise a trip, and which part should I see? Adrian McPherson, Liverpool

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green repsonds: The wall to the north of Beijing isn't as you might imagine, a Hadrian-like single line of defence, but is actually a mass of interlocking and overlapping sections.

By far the most popular bit to see as a daytrip from Beijing is the section at Badaling. It was the first section of the wall to be restored, and is just over 40 miles from Beijing (about 2.5 hours drive). This is where Richard Nixon was taken to marvel, and hundreds of world leaders since. The views won't disappoint, with the 20ft thick wall and huge watchtowers marching over the top of the hills.

The Great Wall here was built wide enough to accommodate five horses or eight soldiers abreast, or on a bad day at Badaling, you might ponder, about 12 post card sellers. And this is the drawback here. Being the closest section to the city, it gets very crowded.

However, if you are looking for a more serene experience, I'd say you should head further out, to the spectacular section of the wall at Jinshanling. It's more than three hours by car, and while you probably won't be completely alone at the site, there is none of the tourist town feel of Badaling, and you'll certainly be able to give the few postcard sellers the slip, and find a spot on the wall to sit in peace and try to take it all in.

It's not just that it is quiet either ­ the wall here zigzags over impossibly steep peaks and snakes it's way fairy-tale like far into the distance.

As for booking the trip, any of the big hotels can arrange a tour, you can book in advance through your tour operator, or via a local travel agent once you get there.

Three good companies to try are China Odyssey Tours, China V Tour, and Beijing Impression. Expect to pay from about £40pp (based on two people sharing a private car), for a day trip that includes entry to the wall and lunch.

For more information on other sections close to Beijing, see www.greatwallchina.info.

Bradt has published an excellent guide dedicated to the Great Wall (£13.99). Alternatively there is some useful information on the wall as an excursion from Beijing in the Lonely Planet (£11.99) and Rough Guide (£12.99) to Beijing.

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