It is grey en voight outside, a red, orange autumn panaroma is passing my view. On my left and right side are steep mountain peaks. Up and down they go, looking like waves. It is October and autumn in Beijing. We are on our way to the Great Wall of China, to Jinshanling to be precisely. A reliable source told me this is supposed to be the most beautiful and less touristic part of the Wall, I am curious!
A little history
The Great Wall of China, as we know it now-a-days starts in Shanhaiguan a city district in the North of China at the Gulf of Bohai until the Jiayu pass. A mountain pass near the city Jiayuguan located in thee province of Gansu. The Great Wall is for the greater part build between 1368 and 1644. The 6000 K. long wall is originally ment as a defense wall to protect the Chinese states and empires of the various hostile nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe (for example the Mongols). Among the arise of combat planes the wall became, as a defence figure, redundant.
Even if you would want to, it is not possible to walk the whole Great Wall. On many spots it is heavily damaged and broken due to erosion and war violence. Beside it, are parts of the wall with permission of the empire used for other building projects. The Great Wall would have maybe been totally gone as it didn’t served its touristic objective. As legend says the wall is visible from space, although the Chinese prefer to believe it, it truly is an urban legend.
One of the seven
Our first plan was to camp on the Great Wall. See the sunset and -rise from one of the seven new world wonders. Unfortunately due to the weather conditions and the end of the camp season it’s not possible anymore. Our visit to the Great Wall is just for a day. When we walk up over the orange sand path and arrive at the first view point above the mountain peaks, my jaw drops. As far as I can see mountain pass and sloping landscapes covered with endless orange, red and purple trees flow over in each other. The Wall is build on the steep mountain peaks, with curves and bends it disappears behind the horizon. Every approximately one hundred meter there are belvedere build on the wall. From a distance they look like small castles, a fairy-like view. We walk the whole morning and afternoon on a private wall, unbelievable special. Every ten steps the scenery seems to be even more beautiful and we stop for more pictures.
We went to the Wall with The China Guide. A great recommendation! We were picked up and brought back to our hotel, we had a pleasant English speaking guide who had a lot of background information. Are you visiting China in spring or summer? Camping on the Wall is possible and seems like a great adventure!
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