China - Chengde Pt 2 (The Wall)

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I pay my second visit to the Great Wall, this time near the far Eastern end, and to the more modern parts, built of stone during the Ming dynasty.

The plan is to do a 10km hike along a stretch of it (thus accounting for 0.1% of it's original length). I set off at a brisk pace, as we're being followed by women with big bags trying to seel us tourist tat. It's quite a hot and humid day and the wall is incredibly steep in places, but these women do this professionally. Although I manage to get my particualr follower (a Mongolian girl by the name of Twee) out of breath and red-in-the-face, she keeps up.

I sing Pink Floyd songs for most of the two hour walk, enjoying the amazing scenery and noting that much of the wall has been renovated. It's a great day out though, and wonderful to be getting some much needed exercise.

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Photos

The Wall
Archetypal shot

The Wall
Stretching across the hills

The Wall
Hazy morning shot