Beijing – The Great Wall at Badaling(990 views)

Release date:2009-08-24 15:34:10

China has more sites of scenic or cultural interest than can possibly be visited in a lifetime, let alone in a short visit. Some tourist destinations, however, should not be missed by any visitor, and the Great Wall is one such destination.

It is likely that those who come to the Great Wall for the first time have at least some preconceptions about it - in many ways, it is the symbol of China, the one thing that everyone knows about. The Chinese have a saying - 'those who do not make it to the Great Wall cannot be considered a true man'. Thus, a trip to the Great Wall is something that all Chinese people consider necessary to make in their lifetime.

The Great Wall is not one continuos section of wall, as some believe, and it is not visible from space. In fact, it is considered by some historians to have been of little actual use as a wall and defensive structure. What us truly undeniable is the Wall's symbolic power - truly a remarkable feat of engineering and a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the Chinese people.

The most visited section of the Great Wall is in Yanqing County, just 50 miles northwest of Beijing. This part of the wall, known as Badaling, was built during the Ming Dynasty, and is one of great strategic importance. It has been heavily restored - some more remote sections of the wall are little more than rubble - and was the first section of the wall to be opened to tourists in 1957.

It's sanitised now, with shops, restaurants, hand rails to stop you from slipping, and all sorts of concerts and performances are held at this stretch of the wall on special occasions. But the majesty and grandeur of the Great Wall still persists, and as you make your way along the parapets, you can look out over the lush green mountains for miles in each direction, and think back to what it might have been like for soldiers in the Ming dynasty to patrol these walls all those years ago. the history of the wall isn't all glorious however, it's estimated that two million workers perished in the centuries-long building project.

If you visit in Summer, you'll have to share your trip with thousands of other tourists, but even that can't stifle the innate power and sombre elegance of the place. A trip in Winter also has its charms, as the Great Wall in the snow presents a real sight to remember.

Badaling also boasts a museum of the Great Wall which has many exhibits that provide some historical background to the area and is well worth a look. Buses to Badaling run regulary from the centre of Beijing.

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