Travels in China - The Wall, Part 1

It is said that no visitor to China should miss seeing the Great Wall.  The "Great Wall of China" refers collectively to a series of fortifications generally built in an east to west line along the historical northern border of China, basically paralleling the southern border of Inner Mongolia.  Some of these fortifications began as early as the 7th century BC.  They were strengthened, added to and reconstructed.  Initially built to provide protection from intrusion by nomadic forces or invasion by warlike peoples, they also provided a form of border control for the imposition of customs duties, regulation of trade and the monitoring of immigration and emigration.

As part of their own China visit, HWMBO and the study group went to visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.  Mutianyu is located approximately 70 km northwest of central Beijing and is quite popular with visitors.  Parts of Mutianyu were constructed in the 6th century but it was rebuilt in the 16th century and most parts are well preserved.  It is considered to have the best quality of all the Great Wall sections.

Because it is such a popular area, there are quite a few vendors hawking souvenirs

or selling alternate types of excursions or activities for the adventurous.

The intrepid travelers did not have to climb all the way to the top of the wall, courtesy of the cable car,

and here the Wall looms before them on the way up.

But there were a few steps at the end of the cable ride.

Once on top, they were treated to a splendid panorama

and could imagine how the sentinels of old must have felt.