the Great Wall

the Great Wall
Apr 28, 2007 02:41
ANAN1221 Points: Join Date: Apr 25, 2007 Status: offline	"Not been on the Great Wall, not a great man". So says an old Chinese proverb, and who are we to disagree? At just over 4,000 miles, the Wall is the longest structure ever built and an awe-inspiring attraction for those visiting China. Mass tourism to the wall tends to head for the well-known section, Badaling. But if you want an off-track experience, check out Simatai, which is fairly remote and in more of its original condition. It is steeper to scale however with rough steps and desolate crumbling watchtowers making it a destination not for the faint-hearted - but definitely worth the effort. A middle-ground is the section at Mutianyu which is the best-preserved part of the wall that was used as the northern barrier defending the capital and imperial tombs. A clear benefit of Mutianyu is its cable car, for those not keen to climb more than 1,400 steps to the top.

Apr 28, 2007 02:41

ANAN1221
Points:
Join Date: Apr 25, 2007
Status: offline

"Not been on the Great Wall, not a great man". So says an old Chinese proverb, and who are we to disagree? At just over 4,000 miles, the Wall is the longest structure ever built and an awe-inspiring attraction for those visiting China.

Mass tourism to the wall tends to head for the well-known section, Badaling. But if you want an off-track experience, check out Simatai, which is fairly remote and in more of its original condition. It is steeper to scale however with rough steps and desolate crumbling watchtowers making it a destination not for the faint-hearted - but definitely worth the effort.

A middle-ground is the section at Mutianyu which is the best-preserved part of the wall that was used as the northern barrier defending the capital and imperial tombs. A clear benefit of Mutianyu is its cable car, for those not keen to climb more than 1,400 steps to the top.

Apr 29, 2007 22:33	#1
KEVIN0518 Points: Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Status: Offline	Cheers.Now you are a great man.

May 6, 2007 01:07	#2
TRAVELDREAM Points: Join Date: Feb 7, 2007 Status: Offline	I was and am disppointed by the Great Wall.

May 6, 2007 12:11	#3
JABAROOTOO Points: Join Date: Jul 4, 2005 Status: Offline	Well you need to see it at one of the more remote spots if all you have seen is the mass mess of touristssprawling like antsjust to get that photo to say fulfil the old proverb for thier lives. It's been impressive at all three place I have encountered it. It's the poor air quality that sometimes makes visibility and photography dissappointing

May 6, 2007 19:43	#4
TRAVELDREAM Points: Join Date: Feb 7, 2007 Status: Offline	"Not been on the Great Wall, not a great man". It's not a very old saying. It was said by Chairman Mao.

May 11, 2007 00:26	#5
KEVIN0518 Points: Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Status: Offline	Haha, Traveldream. You are knowledgeable.

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