Day 4 - The Great Wall of China

It’s not every day that you visit one of the seven modern wonders of the world, so we were very excited to be picked up at 8am and driven out of the city - through some typical Beijing traffic - to head out on the expressway to visit the Great Wall of China.

On the way out we stopped at the services and were impressed with the shops and restaurants on offer. We bought a huge bag of dried fruit for 30 yuan (about £3) - very tasty, Roadchef take note!

Then it was on to the Wall. There are sections nearer Beijing, but the one recommended to us was at Jinshanling, about 2.5 hours drive away. The distance from Beijing meant it should be quieter, and this proved to be the case.

Conditions were perfect under blue skies, so after a ride in a shuttle bus and cable car we arrived at the Wall. It’s hard to describe the feeling of standing on something so well known and yet foreign, steeped in history and culture. The Wall was not too busy, so we were free to explore at our own pace and absorb the Wall disappearing into the distance over the mountains, the birdsong, and the breathtaking views.

Our guide, Sean, was on hand to highlight some interesting details (the wall was as much intended to keep inventions and ideas in, as it was to keep invaders out) as we moved and climbed along some fairly steep steps and inclines. These harder sections tended to thin out the crowds, so by the we got to the end of our walk on the wall 3 hours later, at times we felt as if we were almost alone on the wall.

In the words of Chairman Mao, the founder of modern China, “不去长城 非好汉” (Bù qù chángchéng fēi hǎohàn) – “He who has not been to the Great Wall is not a true man” (or woman! - we say!)

In the evening we walked to Jinyu Hutong for some more of the local food - shrimp wonton, braised chilli pork, lamb skewers, rice, picked cabbage, 2 drinks - £8!Read more