Blog du Wren

The Pretty Good Wall

Okay, just kidding. The Great Wall is exactly that: great. Even better than great, in fact. Visiting the wall is something I have been wanting to do for a long long time. Often times, that means the experience doesn't live up to any expectations. I'm so glad to report that this wasn't the case at all. Even though the day was a little overcast, and the tour that took me there dragged us through a million different government run shops and factories, my time on the great wall was spectacular.

There are a couple different places you can go on the wall, each with its own assets. I chose to visit Mutianya, because it was supposed to be less touristy. "Less touristy" is a relative term, I guess. There was still a cable car to take visitors to the top and a tobogon slide to take them down. I did neither although the tobogon was pretty tempting. But because of the weather and time of the year, there weren't too many people.

I got it in my mind to hike and hike and hike, so that is exactly what I did. Beyond about 3 towers from the ski lift, there were very few people, so that I could get some decent pictures. I made the 3 or so kilometers to the end of the reconstructed part, enjoying some of the best views and best hiking of my life. (Walking on such a huge part of history just seems to have that effect, I guess.) By the time I got to the end, I realized that I had to get back to the bus ASAP. So it was an almost-jog the rest of the way back, which, considering the terrain, was quite a feat.

All in all, I must have hiked 5 miles and my body is feeling it, esp. on top of all the walking I've been doing here in Beijing (Forbidden City, Tienamen Square, etc. etc.) I think today shall be a rest day.

Saturday October 21 2006

File under: China, travel

Toggle Comments (5)

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on Sat 21st Oct, 2006 04:32 am UTC Saxtor said:
I think you should have some tea and rest up for some more tea drinking!
(sorry, I can't resist. Ever since your last post, I've envisioned you walking around China with a huge bundle of tea strapped to your back.)
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on Mon 23rd Oct, 2006 05:07 am UTC hannah said:
glad the wall was great. g-r-e-a-t blog.
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on Mon 23rd Oct, 2006 04:57 pm UTC Saxtor said:
Dude, you're in China, on vacation. The last thing you should be doing is adding features to your blog backend! Needless to say, the "Checking for comments..." and blog history features are impressive. I guess you gotta do what you gotta to keep your webchops up....
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on Mon 23rd Oct, 2006 06:29 pm UTC Jule said:
Saxtor, have you been checking out Wren's backend? I am sure that is an overused joke in the bloggy circles, but I couldn't resist! Anyway...Nice wall and great pictures! think we should build a wall here in the U.S.?
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on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 10:04 am UTC Horge said:
Yeah I think I took the tobogan down from the wall as I was in a hurry to catch that bus, too. I don't remember how fun it was. The wall was cooler. And I think Bushie-Boy is already working on his Great Wall to keep out the huns* *if by "huns" I mean "hundreds of Mexicans keeping this country afloat by doing work that others refuse to do"
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