The Great Wall (China)

The Great Wall Of China (Mutianyu) February 28, 2010

The Great Wall is best described through my pictures. 

On the drive to the Great Wall, I was attempting to take a picture of a small temple (typical through out both Korea and China)... however, I was in a car and so it was a quick shot... this turned out to be a way better shot since this woman was biking right through it!

unexpected picture

We chose to visit the Great Wall at Mutianyu because it is not as tourist-y as Badaling. Also, choosing to go during the winter cut down on tourists. I say choosing, but this trip was planned about 2 1/2 weeks prior, so our timing was out of our hands. We were also 'fortunate' to go on a cold, windy, snowy day in February... very few other people were visiting, so we had an intimate visit with this magnificent structure.

My video evidence!

the family name made it to The Wall

The Great Wall Revisited by William Lindesay is an incredible book with pictures and details about the wall at two time periods. Showing how the wall has, and hasn't changed, depending on where you're visiting.  Carolyn's aunt owns a copy and after our visit to Mutianyu, we looked through the book with awe. I plan to go back to the Great Wall someday and would like to attempt to walk a good portion of it. People had written their names and other random things (for example, the popular Korean band "Big Bang" was written.) I wrote my last name, giving my family (and the other thousands of Bakers out there) an opportunity to get in on the action.






The only tough thing about getting off the wall, was after having a very intense moment looking into the past, we were bombarded by people selling souvenirs. "1 dollar!" They literally blocked our way. We contributed to their businesses, buying shirts and a few trinkets, so I don't feel too bad. 

street market (aka harassment)