We Walked The Great Wall

Day 3, March 08, 2017

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC.

Chinese flag

Great Wall

As you can see, it has been around for centuries. It is one of the 7 Wonders of the World and today, Jerry and Mary Ann, Linda and I had the opportunity to walk on it. Like everything else, it has changed over the years, but it is still a major architectural achievement. It was built by slave labor. History books said that hundreds of thousands of Chinese perished during the construction of the wall, maybe as many as one million.

Jerry & Linda on the Great Wall

Jerry & Mary Ann - ancient Chinese cannon at the Great Wall

We left Beijing this morning and drove into the mountains to Badaling. This is the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall of China, approximately 80 kilometers (50 mi) northwest of urban Beijing city in Yanqing County, which is within the Beijing municipality. The portion of the wall running through the site was built in 1504 during the Ming Dynasty along with a military outpost reflecting the location's strategic importance. The portion of the wall at Badaling has undergone restoration, and in 1957 it was the first section of the wall to open to tourists now visited annually by millions. Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan have visited this location.

Great Wall

Chinese guard at the Great Wall

An interesting day, to be sure. After returning to Beijing, we had dinner in a local restaurant and then walked “Food Street”, a market in central Beijing, famous for its various food stalls. They serve many varieties of fried foods that you have only heard about. Look at the pictures. I think you will find them interesting. It is late, we get up early tomorrow and take the “bullet” train to Wuhan, a six hour train ride at over 200 kph.