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Published: October 7th 2007
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Well, it ain’t called the Great Wall for nothing! Our tour bus left the big city behind to head out to one of China’s most recognisable icons - even from space! The Great Wall is only 1 hour’s drive from Beijing and is visited by millions of people every year. We didn’t get there too early, as that was when a lot of the Chinese crowds would be there…but it was still very crowded. What else do you expect in a country with more than 1 billion inhabitants?
There are a couple of choices when you get to the wall - right or left…we had decided to go left as it looked less crowded, but somehow took a wrong turn, which led to us trying to walk up a very steep section of wall, with hundreds of other people. It was ok going for the first five minutes, but soon we were stuck in a sea of people, moving one step per minute - it was time to turn around and find the other side. You would think that the wall would be a little less packed, considering it is 5000 km's long, 15 000 if you count all the
sections that branch out from the wall!
After a trek down, and around, we eventually found a turret that led us over to the other side. This was not crowded at all, and we managed to make our way up some extremely steep steps…at least 60 degrees! The steps are uneven, and have a massive height. Apparently, Chinese men used to be tall with big feet…not sure what happened there, but they sure have shrunk!
Iz was not feeling well after the previous night’s dinner - and had to sit and rest in the shade, while I stubbornly walked up to the next turret. I definitely had thought that the smog would be non-existent out amongst the trees and away from the city, but it still hung as thick as ever around us. It is such a tragedy that the people have allowed it to get this bad.
After a couple of quick photos to gloat over (that I had made it further than Iz for a change) it was back to the bus, after another gross pee stop. The traditional toilets here are putrid…and very unhygienic. The smell overpowers you as soon as you go in,
Jade Happiness Ball
These can be up to nine layers thick - carved from a single block of jade! and the floors are often dirty and wet - with what I don’t even want to imagine. You usually have to take your own toilet paper in, which can be a handy mask to filter the smells. I am in and out as quickly as possible!
We had a tour of a local Chinese craft factory, which produced pottery, paintings and figurines. The craft has a name, which I can’t recall, but it was beautiful handiwork, but expensive. The labour put into each piece is very time consuming, and the tiny bronze pieces of wire used to make each pattern, is eventually hand painted, fired, and glazed.
The factory was also a thriving restaurant, and we were seated in an upstairs room to enjoy another Chinese Banquet. Iz didn’t eat much, other than rice and vegies, as he didn’t want to upset his belly any further. I don’t mind the cuisine, though it does taste a bit bland at home…maybe I’m just used to greasy Boyne Chinatown Food?
After lunch, the bus took us straight to the Ming Tombs…one of the most powerful dynasty’s in Chinese history. Emperors and empresses were buried here, along with artefacts such
as swords, dresses, crowns and bowls. The worship room is amazing - the Chinese rarely use nails in their temples, and so the entire structure is held up by massive timber beams. Iz couldn’t even put his arms around the columns. There was a statue in the centre of the room of Emperor Judi, and behind this temple, was the sight of his actual grave. The Chinese aren’t sure where he is buried, and some don’t want to find out.
It was at least an hour’s drive back to the hotel, and once we were there, Iz was ready to rest up for a couple of hours. Then it was time to head back to Silk Street for one last time…and boy did we shop. I managed to score many items, including some necklaces, jade products, and at least 4 handbags - everything is just so cheap, and I have the knack for bartering. I ended up getting all three Jade balls for the price of one! Persistence is the key, and if that fails, just walk away, and they usually give in.
On the way out of the Silk Markets, a shady looking guy approached us and
wanted to know if we would like to buy DVD’s. Iz said YES of course, and before we knew it, we were walking down a dodgy back street, and into a restaurant? He sat us down at a table, lit the candles, and then brought out tonnes of DVD’s. As I looked around the whole restaurant, I realised that all the diners were browsing his collection.
We scored 30 DVD’s for about $40 Aus - including all the Star Wars series, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, and some single buys. We walked home looking like the world’s biggest spenders, with two massive black bags! Now we just had to figure out how to fit it all in to our cases….this would definitely add some kilos!
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