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After 10 power-packed days of trooping around Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing, I bade my fantastic travel mates farewell (as they return to the States) and was ready and extremely excited to start work at CRI Online. On Sunday, Amy emailed me my first assignment - which entails spending a night at the Great Wall to cover a two-day programme held in conjunction with the 34th International Museum Day, which falls on May 18th. The lineup was put together by an committee of officials from the Great Wall Museum and included a conference centering on developments of the Wall and the museum. Invited guests included big-shots like Great Wall experts (all veterans 70 years of age and above, I dare guess), governors of the Yan Qing County (延庆县) and museum authorities.
Although this would be my 4th time to the Wall (and my
3rd time there in
5 days), I felt honoured to be given such a grand-sounding first assignment. Which turned out to be like an extension of my holiday! Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not complaining, but these first 2 days of work felt just too good to be real. I was taken by surprise at how
the media was treated with such respect and support by the organizing committee. We were hosted with fancy accommodation at the Badaling Hot Springs Resort (八达岭温泉度假村) and each meal was a fantastic buffet spread - which reminds me, I must go running tomorrow morning.
Having the opportunity to sit in at the conference provided great insights - not only to the past and ongoing developments of the Wall, but also the manner of the Chinese people. It was like NM2201 Intercultural Communication (a Communications & New Media module I had taken at NUS the previous semester) coming into play. Judging by how the veterans' advice were sought and valued, the Chinese are do indeed value seniority to an extent so great and incomparable to some other cultures. It was heartening to note that the elders have much to offer in response, and that physical aging has not deterred them from contributing actively to the current affairs of the country. Respect!
Also noteworthy was yesterday's dinner of a Tofu Banquet (豆腐宴), which is the trademark of the Liu Gou village within Yan Qing County (延庆县柳沟村). Centering the table is a bubbling hot claypot of tofu, noodle, vegetables and braised
pork slices. Accompanying the cauldron are a spectacular spread of over 30 side and main dishes! Claypots atop burning charcoal were previously used as devices for keeping warm, but over the years have evolved into a unique delicacy indigenous to Liu Gou. It has now evolved into a tourist attraction - many come from within and beyond China to experience first-hand this much heard about Tofu Banquet. Eateries within this village that offer the Tofu Banquet are extremely prevalent - we visited the eatery No. 58.
Some information on the Great Wall The Great Wall of China (literally: the long wall of 10,000 li, i.e. 500m) dates back to the Spring and Autumn periods (春秋时代). 7 opposing states in the region built walls and stationed troops along the borders in self-defense. In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s conquered the other 6 states and established the first unified kingdom in Chinese history. To assert his geographical authority and guard against the Huns in the North, he commissioned to connect the walls and formed the long Qin’s Great Wall. Later, dynasties that followed also saw reinforcements of the frontier. In particular, during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) earmarked by unending battles
with Manchurian and Mongolian tribes, the long-drawn conflict prompted the empire to devote considerable resources in the extensive rebuilding and expanding of the fortification. In fact, the Great Wall that we see today was mostly built during the Ming Dynasty.
The Wall can be divided into many notable areas, and Badaling (八达岭长城) is one of the most representative sections. As such, it is also one of the most visited and therefore will come across as more touristy.
For travelers wanting an undisturbed and more challenging climb, I recommend an alternative hike from Jinshanling to Simatai (金山岭-司马台). These sections are relatively unrestored and present a rugged side of the Great Wall for adventurous travelers. *Photos in this entry were taken both during my travel prior to the internship and on on the first 2 days at work.
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