China part 3 -- Great Wall

The Great Wall of China. Once again, words fail me. It is thousands of miles long. Thousands of years old. It's been repaired a few times (last time in the 1600's). Now sections of it are maintained for tourists. It's not exactly needed for defense anymore. You can see it from the highway if you are on the right section ----->


In order to see it up close and personal though, you have to go to places set up for sightseeing -- or be prepared for a long and arduous hike. Zixu was so good as to take us to the Simatai section of the wall, which has been made safe, but not rebuilt for tourist activities. Nicest is that a gondola took us 2/3 of the way up.
Imagine the poor workers who built it. No gondola. And carrying heavy rock!



Once on the wall (and climbing that last 1/3 is more than enough exercise for me! Legs and lungs were burning.) we had a spectacular view.














Parts of the wall were different from other parts
<---- this part had holes through which spears were thrust -- loooong spears!





Inside one of the watchtowers ----->
Umbrellas necessary to protect from the sun -- the heat combined with the exercise was just about too much!





More amazing views. It is almost incomprehensible that a place such as this could actually be built. We understand, however, that the cost in human life was very great.

Ancientness was just seeping out of the cracks.







Finally, having climbed, walked, climbed, walked, and taken waaaaay more photos than we can ever display, we headed back down. Since the group wanted to take the zip line, Dad and I were forced to do the same so the group could stay together (pretty fun!)










Although Zixu took us here on our previous trip, it was just as amazing, and breathtaking, the second time. Imagine. I have walked on the Great Wall of China! Twice.