Beijing Continued......The Great Wall

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This place is one that needs no introduction. It is one of the most recognizable structures on the earth, and people from every nation can identify it in an instant. It is also said that it is the only man made structure that can be seen from orbit. The name is an understatement. This is not just a great wall, it is the Greatest Wall ever constructed. Stretching as far as the eye can see, over incredibly steep and tretcherous terrain, the wall is aw-inspiring. The length is over 6400 kms!!! To give you an idea of the length, the Trans Canada Highway is 7,821 kms long. Staggering!! We went to a remote area to see the Wall, and to do a hike from Jinshanling to Simatai. Great plan.....untill Erin was plagued by bugs. Harmless little bugs. After putting on every peice of clothing that we had in our daypack (in 30 degree heat!), Erin looked like a muslim girl, with only her eyes showing. We ended up taking the road less travelled and went to a part of the wall that is decayed. It is the way the wall looks where it has been left since it was built. In other area's they maintain it, or make it look pretty for tourists. We were pretty much the only ones on the wall were we where. It was incredible.
It was a special experience to be able to see one of the wonders of the world with your own eyes. We don't need to go on......the walls magnificence is known world wide. Here are some pictures.

We have also included some pictures from the summer palace. It was a refuge for the emperor and his family during the hot summer months. It backs onto a lake, and the grounds are beautiful, and as are most things in China, the scale is enormous. It is comprized of many temples, shrines, and pogodas.
Certainly, China has some of the best preserved, ancient structures in the world.

The pictures we have taken are only a representation. They can never convey the powerful and moving experience that can only be felt if one is physically there. We hope that you friends, can get a mere glimps of the beauty and magnificence that is the Great Wall.

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Photos

Up we go...to the Greatest Wall
Jingshaling entrance to the Great Wall (about 1.5h from Beijing)

Touching the Great Wall
This is at the Jingshaling section of the wall. It is not as convenient to get to this location so you will see far less tourists here. It was great! This section has 24 watchtowers and a large part of it remains unrestored.

Steep steps on the Great Wall
These steps were so steep that you had to use your hands as well to help you up.

Erin trying to keep the bugs off of her
It was a very hot day, but it did not matter to Erin. She had my jacket on and a towel around her head to keep the bugs off of her. These bugs were everywhere and would land on you quite frequently. Eventually (most people) get use to it and dont let it bother them=)

The Great Wall or...
the never ending wall???

Watch towers
This is only one of the 67 watchtowers in this area alone.

The view...fascinating!
The wall is literally in the middle of no where. I was really hard to imagine that it took almost 2000 years to build.

The Summer Palace
Royalty would take refuge here from the insufferable summer heat that roasted the Forbidden City. The Palace beauty is made up of many temples, pavilions, lakes and corridors.

The Summer Palace
...and the little guy

It is what you think it is...
It is very common to see babies and small children wearing pants with an opening between their legs (front to back). It is believed to be better for the children to have the fresh air plus it saves alot in the cost of diapers. We asked someone "how do you know when a baby has to go?" For #1, the parent will hold the baby in an upright position with legs in hands and make the sound "ssssshhhhhhhhhhh". For #2, we were told the parent knows that x amount of time after the baby eats they will have to go (like the baby in this picture). Oh, and this happens anywhere and everywhere...no rules apply.