During our four-day stay in Beijing, we had the opportunity to marvel at one of the wonders of the world: The Great Wall of China. In the past, activities involving extensive walking weren’t high on my son’s list of preferences. However, fuelled by the insights from a book he had recently immersed himself in, he surprisingly expressed keen interest in the prospect of a trek. As we traversed the wall and despite the heat, his curiosity was palpable, and he eagerly absorbed the many stories narrated along the way.

Our original plan involved embarking on a three-hour hike from Zhenbeikou watchtower, a journey that commenced with a climb up a forested hill path, followed by a 5-mile trek toward Mutianyu. The intention was to traverse the remaining towers in reverse. However, due to conservation efforts, a section of this route was temporarily closed. Therefore, we opted for the traditional route visit, which, in hindsight, proved to be a serendipitous choice. It spared my son from what could have been a strenuous hike, ensuring an overall positive experience for all.

We felt truly fortunate to have once again been guided by our expert local tour guide, Michael, as we basked in the brilliance of an exceptionally sunny day.

Our journey led us through the iconic towers of the 6 km Mutianyu section, an architectural marvel renowned worldwide for its legendary and captivating presence. The Great Wall of China stands as an awe-inspiring series of fortifications, stretching over 30,000 miles in total. Conceived with the primary objective of safeguarding China from the northern barbaric threats, its roots trace back to as early as 220 BC.

Over the centuries, the construction persevered, and much of what stands today was erected during the Ming dynasty in the 15th century.

Proceeding to the Mutianyu entrance, we opted for the convenience of a cable car ride, ascending to tower 14 (refer to the map above). From there, we traversed through six meticulously restored towers, making our way up to tower 20. Given the scorching heat and humidity, the hilly terrain took its toll on Felipe, leading to a bout of fatigue. Taking a brief respite in Tower 17, accompanied by Michael, Felipe recharged while I continued the journey, completing the section up to tower 20.

Despite the slight crowd, the view from Tower 20 was nothing short of spectacular, leaving me in awe. Standing there, I couldn’t help but imagine the grandeur of the landscape during the wall’s original construction. While it has been centuries since the wall served its primary defensive purpose, it stands as a enduring symbol of Chinese strength and the challenges faced in times gone by. The blistering heat did little to deter me from fully immersing myself in the panorama before me.

On our descent, the options presented themselves: either walking down through 14 towers or embracing the Toboggan adventure from Tower 6. Given Felipe’s enthusiasm for the Toboggan, we opted for this unique experience. It turned out to be not only a great choice but also an immensely enjoyable one for him. I fully recommend it, especially for those traveling with kids.

I must add that I, too, thoroughly enjoyed the Toboggan experience! Our exhilarating journey concluded with a refreshing breeze as we made our way back down.

Now click below to see more about our day…

“It is better to see something once, than to hear about it a thousand times”

Super Happy and Grateful

❤️

Jenny

Next: Forbidden City