Where are John and Kara?: The Great Wall of China, Mutianyu, Beijing, China

Arriving and preparing for the climb

On a beautiful clear Beijing Wednesday morning we headed on our first adventure to Mutianyu, a section of the Great Wall, China. This section of the wall is a little further from Beijing than Badaling (a main tourist hotspot) but it doesn't get as crowded. Not only were we lucky to have perfect weather, this particular Wednesday fell right in the middle of the annual national political meeting. This meant that, for security purposes, all major travel routes into Beijing are temporary restricted (abet international tourism). So the beautiful, clear and sunny day we had the Wall mostly to ourselves!

A beautiful and clear day

Getting there wasn't too much of a hassle. We took the subway to the central bus station and with our Chinese friend Ellen, we set off. When we got on the bus a random asked us where we were going - as we are more accustomed to getting ripped off being foreigners we took their interest suspiciously. Sure enough at one of the bus stops along the way someone entered the bus and told our Chinese friend that we need to get off because the bus does not go to the Wall. Outside the bus there was a taxi driver who then wanted to take us the rest of the way.

Following the wall!

Looking West during our lunch stop

The long lonely route

For those planning to make the trip, please note that this is a very common scam. Regardless, we played their game to our advantage, bargained the price and then paid $7 for the half hour taxi ride (from the quoted $50) which got us their much faster so we were happy.

Steps up the watch-tower

Winter view into the gully

Adventurous John

Following the stairs

Taking a rest stop

Looking down the side of the Wall

We were both surprised on arrival at how high and steep the Chinese built the Wall. This section of the Wall was super high a top a mountain so it involved a lot of climbing. We took the stairs and avoided the cable car. Once we got on top of the wall we decided to make our way to the highest point that we could see. We were pleasantly surprised after 3 hours of hiking to come to a "wild" unrestored section of the wall with its original stones and with trees growing on it.

Looking back across the wild section of wall

The climb to the highest bit actually turned out much steeper and slipperier than we anticipated, averaging 45degrees and we had to cling to the sides of the wall so we wouldn't slip and fall. Why the built the wall that steep is a little bit odd. However the top was amazing! We could see a lake in the distance and many layers of blue mountains with little "watch towers" on their peaks were the Wall continues to run along. The nature was serene and they cool wind grumbled in the trees.

The History of the Wall is quite unreal. The Wall was built over a time span of one hundred years by several ruling emperors. The name 'Great Wall' was coined actually by the first westerners who visited the East. In China for many decades it was actually considered the 'Wall of Suffering" as over a million people are believed to have died in the harsh conditions during its construction. There was a particularly cruel emperor who at one time sent all able men over the age of 12 to go work on the wall. It is believed that the bodies of those that died were left lying alongside the wall or they were buried in the Wall. The construction of the Wall tore generations of lovers and families apart.

Crumbling watch tower

One of the most famous legends revolves around a women named Mung who's husband was carted off to the Wall only after one day of their marriage. He did not return to her so after three years of waiting she went to the Wall to find him. However, she found he had died. Mung cried so hard that it caused the Wall to break and nobody could fix it for the gods sympathised with the common people and it would forever crumble.

Making it to the top of the highest point

The view back towards Beijing

The original wall crumbling away

Nowadays, the Chinese believe that it is the strong that visit the Wall. In ones life time it is a very important event to visit the Wall. It is a show of courage, strength and perseverance.

After six hours on the Wall, and the last ones to come down we slowly made our way back to Beijing, reliving the day, watching the wild squirrels and listening to wood peckers.

We would highly recommend going to the Wall at Mutianyu and if you are adventurous enough do walk to the wild section as this was also well worth it. What an amazing day! When summer arrives we plan to head out further for an overnight hike - keep an eye out for our The Great Wall of China Part 2.

Tot siens,
John and Kara