We were told we shouldn't have visited Beijing on National Day. Too many people and with all kinds of transportation problems, especialy when we didn't have any iterinery planned. But it turned out just fine. We landed in Tianjin International Airport. Took bus to Tianjin train station and the fast train to Beijing was virtually empty on 29 Sept! On the evening we arrived, we located a govt travel agent (Information Office) and was able to book cheap tour bus tickets to the Great Wall and Ming Tombs for the next day. (Only thing was the guide spoke only Chinese, so you have to ask fellow passengers for translation on important instructions). On National Day eve, many places of interest as well as shopping were closed, but enough other places to go to, e.g. Summer Palace (reachable by subway), Confucius Temple, Temple of Heaven or the oldest Muslim mosque in Cow Street. And you can take a walk in the Hutongs. No need advance bookings for trains going back to Tianjin as well. If you visit Beijing, give yourself flexibility. It is cheaper, and you have control of your time.