The Great Wall of China deserves the name.
At 21,196 km, the Great Wall of China is obviously the longest wall in the world. In fact, it’s construction is mythical in origin, with accounts of walls first being built as far back as 7th Century BC — but its famous sections — was built during the Ming dynasty (1368 -1644).
Of course, when I visited China, we had to visit the Great Wall. It was a trip and a half, with us starting off in Beijing, bundling into a large silver coach resembling murky mornings during school trips.
To be honest, it was a murky morning. We were half awake, with the gentle humming of the engine lulling us to sleep as we were driven till what felt like the world’s end. In between catches of sleep, the scenery transformed from a unforgiving concrete landscape, where the rising heat was visible from the large, clean roads, to blurs of green, every connecting and dancing with the wind in the sun’s heat.
As the coach collected more and more people, we streaked out of Beijing, into one of the many entrances of the Great Wall, feeling insignificant and intimidated by its shadow.
There are many ways to reach the wall itself, but the one we opted for was cable car — but this also meant we had to hike up a steep hill to reach a half way point to the connection point. It was hot. Melting hot, the type of heat that’s almost unforgivable, where your bones feel tanned. Sweat pouring from us, trapped between our backs and the rucksacks containing our life supply, we trudged up this hill, only to be bundled into this tiny cable car, zip wiring us to the top and onto one of the wonders of the world.
I loved it.
Finally stepping foot on this wall, the sheer heat of 40 degrees centigrade, left gaps where tourist should be. It was a welcome surprise, to have space to dance around on this magnificent structure.
When you first take those steps, it feels exactly like how you thought it would. The stones are identical in shape, methodical and precise in their layout. The shaded areas were nice “pit stops” to rest as you feel the heat escape your clothes, possibly swirling above your head.
We walked for two hours, taking in the green belt on either side of the wall. Bounding up steps, catching ourselves when there were steep hills leading down. What caught me by surprise was the little ‘corner shops’ or tourist points selling basic knickknacks and drinks. The owners encouraged people to continue on their journey — wholesome and heart-warming.
Finally, when we did decide to leave, we went by toboggan! A little slide down the wall, something probably once in a lifetime! The rules were simple — don’t go too fast our you’d bump into the one in front.
For the first time, the wind was in my hair, there was a sense of fun as we slipped and twisted our way down this historical monument. The toboggan was obviously a tourist trick, but still made our day!
If I ever have the privilege of returning to China, I definitely will be returning to the Great Wall.
