What’s the best activity if it’s 45C and you slept only 6 hours the previous night because the hostel was noisy? Climbing the Great Wall, of course!
We got up early and caught a bus to Badaling (八达岭), the most famous Great Wall stretch, two hours away from Beijing. I climbed the Great Wall in 1999 and I was looking forward to doing it again. Only that time I was prepared: I had good shoes and water. Two details I had forgotten the first time I was there (being a stupid 16 years old).
Climbing the Great Wall is tough. It’s hot and within minutes we were literally dripping sweat, the steps are high and the slopes can be quite slippery. Basically, it’s harder than it looks. But hey, the view is well worth the climb!
For some reason, we were greeted by bears at the entrance. I still wonder whether they were captured in the wild nearby the Wall… I hope not!
OMG, just amazing. To visit and walk on such a historical landmark.
A Cowboy’s Wifes last great read…Say Hello to My Little Friends
Cool Zhu 😀 I didn’t see that big bear when I was there 😉 Happy climbing my dear friend
Wow. That is one place I want to visit myself. I just love the view of the wall, tracing the mountaintops.
Linguist-in-Waitings last great read…Perverted Politics
Those are amazing photos. When I went the weather was very hazy so unfortunately the view was nothing like as good. It’s great to see what I missed.
Have fun!
Lizs last great read…Shoot a Lonely Planet cover photo
Wow … I so want to be you right now. 🙂 Except for the climbing. You can be you for that. :p
Ghostys last great read…The Benefits of Solitude
WOW superb. The inside view is amazing. Thanks for that Zhu
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Why I’m not seeing my comments? Moderation enabled is it?
CM-Chaps last great read…Tag – Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
I would love to be climbing it with you. The view is phenomenal!!
Scarlets last great read…dream girls
Wow – what incredible pics! You are so lucky to get to go there and see everything.
expatravelers last great read…A Name
That’s my girl. This is the Best part of China; tiring enough though 😀
So you climbed entire wall? Did you make certificate by your name there? There you get those (Fake) certificates 😉 It’s fun!
Thanks for those lovely pics. We are getting a good ride of China because of you! Take care!!
The pictures are excellent. Have fun! 🙂
Shantanus last great read…The Sisi Story and More Royalty
@A Cowboy’s Wife – I’m lucky, this is my second time!
@shionge – I think the bear park is new, I didn’t see it either in 99.
@Linguist-in-Waiting – Amazing isn’t it? It’s a truly amazing place to visit.
@Liz – The weather is rarely that good, I think we were lucky.
@Ghosty – Ah man, you can’t go there without sweating and climbing!
@CM-Chap – You’re welcome! Sorry, your comment was caught as a spam at first, I unspammed it of course.
@Scarlet – Are you sure? 😉 The climb is tough!!!
@expatraveler – I do feel lucky!
@Annie – I didn’t get a certificate but hey, I have pics! 😉
@Shantanu – Thank you!
Very cool!
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@Spyder – Thank you!
I’d like to visit the Great Wall someday. Thank you this post and nice pictures.:)
Celines last great read…Monsoon Magic
Ohhhh My goodness! You have just done something that has been on my “lifelist”. I am truly jealous now…lol! Your photographs are lovely and really show how amazing the wall really is. Thank you so much for sharing these with us 🙂
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