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The great wall in the mist
The rain stopped; the clouds were receding and the wall floated over the mountain.The Great Wall of China—one of the seven wonders of the world—lives up to your expectations. It’s a massive construction project spanning northern China from Beijing in the east to Gansu Province in the west. This was my second visit to the Great Wall. I first came in 1978. I was young then and had promised myself that if I quit smoking I could climb to the top of the Great Wall of China. I remember that climb and the victorious celebration when I got to the top hill outside Beijing. At that time I had one two year old son at home with his dad. The second son was born less than a year later.
This year, 2007, I climbed with my two sons and daughter-in-law. (Joey and April and Mike)We hired a driver to take us to Mutianyu, the less crowded access point to the wall. In the pouring rain, with ponchos and umbrellas, we climbed up to the wall. They were energetic, so I said, “Go ahead. I’ll meet you later at that watchtower.” See the photos of us in the rain. Not the most flattering pictures! But the Wall looks great!
April and cable car stop
We took a cable car up the mountain from the parking lot. Then we walked the rest of the way. How I have missed my family and friends! My sons and my daughter-in-law arrived in China May 25 for a flying ten-day vacation. We visited Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing—enough to get a taste of each city. The Shanghai Museum is probably the best museum in all of China. It’s well organized, has thorough English translations, and is set up with artistic, but effective lighting and stage settings. I could have spent much more time there. I liked the coin displays especially. Look at the money minted by Genghis Khan. One personal collection of coins from the Silk Road, was donated to the museum, and reflected the cultures that used the Silk Road. In Shanghai, we also went to the antique market and bought some old-looking, but probably new, stuff. I bought a mah-jongg set, so I hope someone will help me learn how to play! As always, April is the star of antique markets; she found great pieces including a small stool that she happily carried the rest of the trip. The final event in Shanghai was an evening boat ride on the Wang Po River. The boat was huge and decorated with dragons. We went to the top deck,
Susie and April in cable car
Here we are all wet in the cable car. along with about 300 senior citizens. During the trip we were entertained by a band and singers. The advantage of a dusk tour is seeing the sights in daylight and then lit up at night. I wanted to see the shipping cranes and get a feel for the extent of the export business. I saw some of it and it appeared bigger than Hong Kong’s shipping. The pictures show the Shanghai Pearl TV tower and, us, of course.
We took the train to Nanjing, and I took my family to several meals to meet my friends. Joey and Mike climbed Purple Mountain. We all went to Fu Zi Miao (Confucius Temple and shopping area—see earlier blog.) I hit the bell; Mike hit the drums; and Joey shot the arrows. April burned incense and laughed with all of us.
We flew to Beijing and stayed at the Novetel Peace Hotel, great jazz in the evenings. We had a fight with an illegal taxi driver—very uncomfortable, we felt threatened; luckily we were at the hotel with security all around.
At the concierge’s desk, Mike and I signed us up for a driver for the Great Wall and for acrobat
all wet at the beginning of the trip
We were this wet in the beginning of the trip. Imagine how wet we were at the end! but it was worth it. tickets. We tried to find some Kung Fu shows, but nothing good was available. With our maps we started eating great meals, etc. I already described the Great Wall trip; next, was the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The construction work (for the Olympics) involves the center throne room, etc. of the Forbidden City, but the surrounding rooms are finished and are great. They now house displays—ceramics, bronzes, old geography tools, Buddhist sutras and paintings, etc. The refurbished buildings shine with the new paint.
Tiananmen Square was quiet, filled with tourists, and no reminders of the massacre held there in 89. The building was closed so we couldn’t see Mao’s body. (I heard about it in ‘76, and I saw it in ‘78.)
The acrobat program was youngsters, not adults. It’s an acrobat school telling a story about an acrobat school. It was excellent, varied, colorful, new moves, and fun.
The Beijing Zoo was very large and interesting; but we’ve been spoiled by the Atlanta zoo, one of the best in the world. Mike is a primate docent at the DC zoo, so we made sure to see the Beijing primates. Personally, I liked the birds best.
watchtower
The watchtower brought out the best in us. Joey, what did you like best?
Our last night Mike and I had a Peking Duck dinner at a great place within walking distance of the hotel. Most of the good places we found were in the
Lonely Planet-China. Finally, after ten short days, they flew back to the USA and I flew back to Nanjing. July 1 I leave China. I was invited back to teach, but I’ve decided to really retire and not work for a while. Of course, I have to finish at least one more blog about China before I can totally relax. I never told you about the incredible cave paintings at Dun Huang.
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Gailey
non-member comment
Hey, Susie! What great photos of everyone - even in the rain!! Are Joey, Mike and April singing in the rain in the watchtower?!?! I like your rain hat - you look great. Can't wait to see you and hear more in person. So happy you all had such a good visit! Love you!