The Great Wall
Trip Start
Feb 2009
1
2
28
Trip End
Jul 2009
Beijing, China
Friday, February 6, 2009
Update, as promised. We hiked along a 10k section of the Great Wall, though I am convinced that that measurement doesn't include the distance up and down, and there really isn't any place that isn't going up or down. Some of the stairways that we went up would be more properly called ladders, they were so steep, with steps a foot or so high. Many places were crumbling and dificult to climb. I kept having visions of men in full Chinese armor running up and down the stairways to carry messages at night in the rain, an wondered how many of them fell and broke their necks.
On the other hand, the scenery was truely impressive and beautiful. Unfortunately, most of the most impressive things don't show up well in pictures. The hills faded into the distance, with the Great Wall widing across them. I kept stopping just to stare around at the view. I was exhausted at the end, but it was well worth it.
Comments
now all of china knows you're here!
when looking at the pictures i kept thinking of the opening scene in mulan. shit! asdhfajdhf disney!!
the great wall is beautiful. and it looks like not many other people were walking (climbing?) it at the same time as you. sweet. :)
Beautiful pictures!
Where are all of the tourists? You must have walked pretty far or maybe there aren't many tourists in the winter.