The Main Event. The Great
Wall is China's most famous attraction. We saw it at Badaling,
about 40 miles from Beijing. It took us
about one hour to negotiate the steep
walkway and crowds to get to this point,
where we ate lunch. (photo by Lyle)
Four Among Many. The mass
of people, mostly Chinese, at the wall during the May Holiday was
incredible. We did not climb this easier
and slightly more crowded southern route. (photo by Lyle)
Unrenovated Wall. The renovated
portion of the Great Wall at Badaling totals about two miles. The
ruins criss-cross the rugged mountains
in seemingly every direction for miles. (photo by Aaron)
Over the Wall. Following other tourists,
we dropped down over the Great Wall (about 8'),
went around an iron fence and explored
the ruins close-up. (photo by Lyle)
Guard Tower. This view shows the
remains of a guard tower. Some tourists ventured out to this
point, but very few compared to the restored
wall. (photo by Alyssa)