Beijng then on to the Great Wall

---

We made a stop at the Temple of Heaven a series of temples built at the time of the forbidden city and used by the Emperor
The structures are very similar to those at the City as well.

Then we were on to the Great Wall, Sumatai section. This area has been refurbished probably for the recent Olympics. That
makes it a little disappointing but probably much safer.
We took the gondola up then hiked the rest of the way pf the very steep trail to the top of the wall arriving at Tower 8. We
hiked up the hill to about #12 then all the way down to tower 2 which is much lower, broken at the river. A trail has been
built to the bottom and after a 20 minute walk down that we were back. I'm not sure of the distances between
Towers but hiking along the wall is very rigorous. It is very steep and steps are uneven.
We came back to the hotel and sat drinking a cold beer in the shadow of the wall.

---