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 The Great Wall ~ Mutianyu 慕田峪March 16, 2017 |
~ I was not born for one corner,
the world is my native land. ~
Qin Dynasty (221 BC)
- Unified Imperial China and made himself the very first Emperor, Qin (pronounced "Chin") Shi Huangdi. He was only 13 years old. The kingdoms were all at war between 8-3rd centuries until Qin united them into China.
- Established the dynastic cycle of Emperors
- Standardized money, measurements, legal rights, writing, and began what would become The Great Wall. Qin organized state politics, economics, social and military
- Qin assumed control of feudal estates, was an iron fisted leader ~ brutal but effective. Ruled with absolute power. Anyone who disagreed was killed. Writing he didn't approve of was burned.
- His capital of China then was Xianyang (central)
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| This is the section we walked :) |
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| Heading up to the ticket booth to purchase our ride up |
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| 1987 UNESCO World Heritage site <3 LOVE!! |
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| Just outside the toilets before heading to lunch after hiking the Wall. |
As we landed in Beijing days earlier, we knew very little about the sites. We basically had a Lonely Planet phrasebook and tips of 'must-sees', but other than that ~ we were pretty clueless. Since we've been home we've even learned about other things that we wish we knew about before & while we were there! (The glass bridge walkway, for one thing!) We didn't really understand tourism or how to best get around outside of Beijing. One thing I would do differently is invest in an app that is super user friendly for voice translation. Live and learn <3
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| Not my photo...and I have no idea what section of the wall ;) but a pensive expression. The wall remains a symbol of the country's enduring strength and perseverance and ingenuity. |
Great Wall of China (n) ~ a system of fortified walls with a roadway along the top, constructed as a defense for China against the nomads of the regions that are now Mongolia and Manchuria: completed in the 3rd century b.c., but later repeatedly modified and rebuilt. 2000 miles (3220 km) long. During the Ming Dynasty, the wall was estimated 5500 miles long at its greatest and most fortified time.
Whoa. 2000 miles long. I wonder how many people dragged materials to the peaks of these mountain tops? I wonder what mechanism they used? I wonder if they were pleased to be a part of it? Were they slaves? Convicts? Free people? Were they fed well? Did the wall do its job? I guess that's why it's called a "World Wonder" haha!
So I looked up facts...
So I looked up facts...
- Approx. 1 million labourers. Mostly soldiers and convicts.
- 3-400 000 died during its construction
- Many were buried within the wall itself
- The wall was vital for military communication (fires, smoke signals between watchtowers)
- 1211 AD Genghis Khan invaded & conquered China. The wall wasn't successful.
- 1368 the Chinese expelled the Mongolians ~ this marked the beginning of the Ming Dynasty
- The wall was rebuilt at that time using strong materials like granite, brick & limestone AND skilled labour was used during this rebuilding
- No, it cannot be seen from the moon.
~~ The Great Wall emerged as a physical manifestation of Chinese strength, as well as a psychological one. A representation of the barrier maintained by the Chinese state to repel foreign influences and exert control over its citizens. ~~
Take a step back with me...the First Officer of our flight overseas mentioned that we were fortunate arriving the day we did as the International Communist Party Convention was just held in Beijing, and for that the country closes down the industrial coal based plants that create particulates and air pollution. I can't google anything about this convention...the only thing that comes up is the Ministry of Commerce held the 2017 National Foreign Investment Work Conference at that time in Beijing. Regardless, the factories were shut down and blue skies and fresh air could be had ~ we had NO idea the significance of such a ~ luxury ~ until the following week when they must have been back to full production. Poor air quality is very despairing because the city and country is very beautiful.
< I am very supportive and can see how China is changing to better the global environment and turn back time to the days when industrial productivity didn't ravage their airspace. >
< I am very supportive and can see how China is changing to better the global environment and turn back time to the days when industrial productivity didn't ravage their airspace. >
After talking to the FO, we were anxious to kick off our adventure with the Great Wall experience. Setting the mood of our trip to China, if you will.
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Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it. ~ Confucius
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We resourced the owner/landlord of our rented apartment for all our questions and queries. Zoey made our trip fantastic. She and her husband were on a trip of their own to France, but she helped with any uncertainties we had.
She put us in touch with
Click the link above to email her ~
or check out their Facebook page here.
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| Our primary job as a loving parent is to guide them into uninhibited, mindful independence. |
It was about a 2 hour drive, 70km northeast of central Beijing & from our apartment, to where we were planning to ascend and walk on the wall. On the drive, we enjoyed Beijing and the outskirts and here's some thing we saw. Tiffany & Co. Audi shop. Buildings & bridges...nothing unlike what we'd see in a major Canadian city like Vancouver or Toronto!
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| Tiffany & Co. |
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| Audi Beijing |
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| Just a super cool bridge on the way to see a wonder of the world. No big deal ;) |
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| A toll section on the highway enroute to the Great Wall ~ not unlike Florida, for example (I'd say the 407 in Canada...but I'm pretty sure it done by camera?) |
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| Buildings in Beijing ~ there's a lot of neat & unique architecture and also just a lot of buildings that are mass produced it seemed. |
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| IKEA Beijing (this one was for my friend, Lina Streeper <3 ) |
Ok...so we arrive. Park. And see a Subway on the way to the ticket booth for the gondola!
This is where we returned for noodle bowls after the hike along the Great Wall! I'm falling in love with China all over again just revisiting these photographs this day!
The section of the Wall we visited was the Mutianyu section. Let's talk for a moment about the history of this one particular section of this World Wonder.
As I mentioned previously, the building of what would become the Great Wall began by the first dynasty, the Qin Dynasty, nearly 2300 years ago. Different dynasties fortified it, lengthen it, etc.
The Mutianyu section was built in the 3rd century BC. The Jiankou section is to the west and the Lianhuachi section is to the east. A pass was built in the Mutianyu section in 1404 (Ming Dynasty) and in 1569 the wall was rebuilt and to this day is well preserved ~ in fact it is the best preserved section of the entire wall (as well as the Badaling section according to an internet search).
The inner & outer parapets (protective walls along the outer edge) are crenelated with merlons (solid part between two parapets along two embrasures ~ also known as small holes in the parapets), so shots can be fired at the enemy on both sides. This is a very rare feature on other parts of the Great Wall. There are 22 watchtowers along this 2250ft stretch of the wall.
Whoa, right?
The inner & outer parapets (protective walls along the outer edge) are crenelated with merlons (solid part between two parapets along two embrasures ~ also known as small holes in the parapets), so shots can be fired at the enemy on both sides. This is a very rare feature on other parts of the Great Wall. There are 22 watchtowers along this 2250ft stretch of the wall.
Whoa, right?
The Mutianyu section is named for its adjacent namesake village, Mutianyu village. It has been revived thanks to tourism and glassware and an interesting Jeopardy answer ~ it is "twinning" the American city Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts. I'm not sure if it's aesthetic twinning, like similar roads and structures, or social and economical (agricultural) twinning. Interesting though, eh?
I had no idea before this trip that along the wall there was sections designated for foreign tourists, for Chinese tourists, and sections that are in too great disrepair for anybody.
We arrived at the base of the wall on an open gondola ~ just we would skiing at Lake Louise or Whistler.
Respect for one's parents is the highest duty of civil life. ~ Chinese Proverb
I believe that. I believe this is manifested when we give our future generations something worthy of reverence. It's the circle of life.
I believe that. I believe this is manifested when we give our future generations something worthy of reverence. It's the circle of life.
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| On the chair lift!! |
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| Trev getting the camera ready! |
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| Trevor and the older pair just leaving to ascend |
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| 9 years old. He has been all over the world to all sorts of ancient structures and world wonders. |
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| Just before the Quartet ascended the wall. |
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| Almost there... |
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| Me and the younger pair were in front :) |
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| We planned to ride that bad boy on the way down ~ stainless steel toboggan! |
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| Just about to the top and I can see the flag of China 🇨🇳 |
NOW
Let's talk about walking along the Great Wall of China!
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| Just have a banana before walking the wall. Good habits formed at youth makes all the difference. Aristotle said that. I echo it. |
Love the life you lead ~ lead the life you love.
I'm a 40 year old adult. Trev's 41. Traveling with our kids who are 5, 6, 8, 9 years old as they step onto the Great Wall, or touch the Pyramid of Giza, or walk through the Colosseum in Rome is a neat experience as a parent. I can only hope & imagine how it will grow them into curious people that appreciate the world they live in. They hear us talking, watch our amazement and pleasure and we include them in our awe & joy. It grows synapses. That's what I know about neuroscience. It quite literally is growing grey matter. I'll say it again and again. Give your presence, not presents. We really love that they are witness to the world and active creators of their own destinies.
I am not crazy,
my reality is just different than yours.
Imagination is the only weapon we have against reality.
~ Cheshire Cat ~
I am not crazy,
my reality is just different than yours.
Imagination is the only weapon we have against reality.
~ Cheshire Cat ~
Walking a structure like the Great Wall is absolutely breathtaking and monumental. The tremendous amount of joy and wonder that a place like Beijing will leave is a sure thing ~ whether you're prepared for it or not. When you travel to a foreign country, the 'unknown' is always a mystery. An exciting adventure, if you're open to that. Life changing. Human beings are the same all over the world. We appreciate the joy on children's faces and the sound of their laughter. We have loving family units that connect us. We reach out in conversation, if only for a moment and engage another person. I'm an extrovert by nature, and I've always found talking to random strangers easy and comfortable. When I stop to think that something in their life lead them to this moment, right now, walking the Great Wall with me ~ so awesome.
< Imagination. Einstein spoke about it being where his 'genius' came from. Minimizing imagination by equating it child's play or a game of pretend is what limits humankind. Every single creation in existence, from the Great Wall to the first flight to the moon, was a product of imagination. >
You cannot walk the wall without thinking of the men & women who suffered the building of it, the ones who dreamt it real, and the soldiers who fought and bled on it. Or even the people of China that it was meant to protect. Or what about who's all been there to walk along it as tourists after its military purpose ceased? People come from far and wide just to witness the wonder that is the Great Wall. Absolutely so much dancing around in one's head as you stand on the walkway!
< Imagination. Einstein spoke about it being where his 'genius' came from. Minimizing imagination by equating it child's play or a game of pretend is what limits humankind. Every single creation in existence, from the Great Wall to the first flight to the moon, was a product of imagination. >
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| What you do in life, echoes in eternity. Make your walls obsolete. |
You cannot walk the wall without thinking of the men & women who suffered the building of it, the ones who dreamt it real, and the soldiers who fought and bled on it. Or even the people of China that it was meant to protect. Or what about who's all been there to walk along it as tourists after its military purpose ceased? People come from far and wide just to witness the wonder that is the Great Wall. Absolutely so much dancing around in one's head as you stand on the walkway!
I love world travel. I love in general. Share your smile with the world ~ it's a symbol of friendship and peace. Being present and just take in your surroundings and the energy of people around you is essential in life.
I see people.
I see their smile, their eyes, their warmth. The wonders of the world are awe inspiring, no doubt. But it's the people I cross paths with along the way that I am most fascinated by. A man is a man and a child is a child. There is no difference, to me, between mothers who nurture there babe in other parts of the world compared to my native Canada. None. We are all one.
Here's the photographs I was able to get of our adventure on the wall...
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| One of my favourite photos...it would be so much greener in just another month! |
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| Brothers, Connor & Ellar, experiencing the wall together |
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| Another favourite of mine <3 |
Super steep!!
The wall is different from each vantage point.
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| Astrid. |
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| Astrid, Connor, Ellar, and Trevor |
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| My boys and an unknown tourist in the background. Like I said ~ people at the same place and time as me fascinates me. |
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| The 6 of us |
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| Selfies are a mother's best tactic! |
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| Connor |
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| Brothers on the wall. Exploring. |
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| It was a lot of work climbing all the stairs and the incline alone. |
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Just a couple of adventurous hearts, on top of the world.  |
We even found a section that was designated for tourists to leave their mark <3
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| The stainless steel toboggan we rode down! |
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| 2 to a toboggan except Connor had his own |
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| " Tobogganing is so simple " |
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| Rice beer! It was no different taste-wise to our Canadian beer. |
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| There was little options for refreshments after the wall. Chinese Sprite |
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| One of my very favourite photographs. The flag of China, on the wall, and 3 of my kids embracing each other. Life is good! |
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| The toilets in China. At least around Beijing ~ they were either stainless steel or porcelain and toilet paper was available. Every toilet was very clean and taken care of. I'm sure in the country they'd be holes in the ground though. |
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| Ellar in one of the watchtowers lol of course he's a ninja with a bow and arrow! |
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| These guys posed for photos in traditional warrior garb after we disembarked the toboggan. They asked for an atrocious amount of money for us to take a photo with them. After it was taken. It's not lost on us consequences we could face if we offend or disrespect someone when we travel. It's a fine line because other country's don't do business like Canada. And we're cognizant of this. They accepted what we would pay them...but not what they asked. Not too many times did people try to take advantage of us, being tourists though. |
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| A favourite photo of myself on the wall. Trevor snapped it. Grateful <3 |
And that's it! I know I'll publish this and feel like ~ d'oh ~ there's SO MUCH more I wanted to say!! Haha ~ but then, I always do!
I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes ~ one that's very appropriate and I hope inspires you, too!
< You're off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting so...get on your way! >
~ Dr. Seuss ~
