Travel

Have a Travel Adventure and Experience the Great Wall of China

They talk about the world is shrinking and it is, in respect of the ease of world travel. Tourists want to travel to the more remote outposts of the globe and adventure travel is increasingly popular. When I was a child, I dreamt of visiting the Far East and the Great Wall of China, specifically. China held a fascination for me but I never dreamt that I would really get there one day.

My husband and I settled to save up and go on the vacation of a lifetime. We have a friend who dwells and works in Japan who speaks Chinese Mandarin fluently, having studied the language at Beijing University and has also worked in Taiwan. The plan was to visit our friend in Tokyo and see a little of Japan. Then we flew to Hong Kong to spend some time there and then after onto China. Our friend went with us, which made the trip a lot more enjoyable and much easier, having someone to interpret for us.

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Take a leap and meet people in the Great Wall of China

Beijing is a fascinating place and we did the typical sightseeing, including exploring the Forbidden Palace and Tinnamen Square. One of the striking things is the number of cars in the city and the background noise of tooting car horns. Then came the time to board the coach to bring us to the Great Wall of China. We had read as lots about it as we could but nothing really prepares you for it.

I was determined to walk at the wall, a part of it anyway, as it stretches over 4,000 miles! When we arrived, it was very busy, mostly with Chinese people and a some foreigners sprinkled here and there. We walked one of the widely known stages of the Great Wall of China. It is divided into watchtowers, gateways and old barracks, other sections dating back to the 5th century. The longest human made construction in the world transcended all expectations.

Get fit as you stroll the long-mile Great Wall of China

Notably our friend, who has one leg, had walked the wall before and this was his second visit. He walked ahead of me, on his crutches and disappeared into the distance! It was the hardest thing I have ever done and I was almost at quitting point sometimes but I persevered and finished my section. The Great Wall of China steps are very steep in places and it grabs every ounce of energy to climb them. Numerous vendors are selling clothing, post cards and other souvenirs. I proudly bought my I Climbed the Great Wall T-shirt, which I still wear this time. Experiencing the Great Wall of China was truly memorable and I would recommend it to all of you. Go to the gym first and get fit first, that I should have done but didn’t!

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