My Beijinger Journey: I Climbed the Great Wall of China

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It was a dream of mine to step foot on the Great Wall of China, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. In fact, it was and will remain as one of my favourite amongst them and i was grateful to be given this opportunity. It is claimed that this defensive structure could be seen from the moon! The great length of the wall, which took hundreds of years to build, always amuses me. I had my dream fulfilled, with all its accompanying satisfaction reached, when I was standing at the peak of the Juyongguan pass, overlooking the stellar view and at the climb i made. This pass of the Wall was built during Spring and Autumn from 770 to 476 BC- many, many, many years ago.

 Pumped! The Great Wall!

Waking up rather early in the morning, adrenaline and excitement were the fuels that kept me moving. It was a clear, sunny Monday morning and i found this Gate of the Wall to be less crowded with tourists. After getting the ticket, student price of 25 RMB, our climb began. We were a big group from the conference, a bus load of excited folks eager to scale the powerful wall. It was beyond my expectation. I knew climbing the Wall was not difficult but i least expected it to be no easy feat. The climb to the first station challenged my physical stamina and mental strength, and it was only a quarter way through. The first climb required the most push!

 
Near the parking lot, already challenged by the Wall.

Just before beginning the climb to the first station; the tough push.

Sitting on one of the steps along the Wall.

Posing with a cannon used during the war time. Some history of this pass, obtained from the information board: This Juyongguan pass lies in the Jundu Mountains. In the early time, the Yan State kept it as a guarded passage known as the Juyong Stronghold. During the Han Dynasty, this pass grew into a town of considerable size. It was planned by General Xu Da and Chang Yuchun, the second in command, and completed in 1368 during the reign of Ming Dynasty's Hongwu. Ever since, this section of the Wall underwent frequent renovations. This pass is more than 4km long, equipped with barbican entrances, gate towers and watch towers, seen in some of the following pictures.

With Jack, the committee in charge of our group, against the background of one of the stations.


 We kept going, taking a breather in between the stations and in between the steps, and when people came the other way, we asked them how far more were we to reach the peak. Less motivating response, some said we were only one fifth journey, and our energy was draining. I knew i will never be satisfied if i do not reach the peak so my determination kept burning. There was also a saying written on the entrance of the Gate that says 'if you do not reach the Great Wall, you are not a real man'. Burning, burning.


While climbing, i took some time to look around and to enjoy the scenic climb. I could only imagine how people in the past actually traverse from one point to another, let alone the thought of building this six thousand plus kilometer wall! Ancient civilization impresses again.




 


The view from the peak was spectacular. The picturesque green plains covering the undulating, hilly terrain was medicine to the ache starting at the knees and feet. Even more satisfying was the knowledge that I made it to the peak and conquered this relatively minute part of the Wall. The feeling was beyond expressible in words.

 Most of the Wall has been rebuilt and the original ones can be seen in this picture. It did feel like i was walking on the backbone of a dragon.

At the top of the climb!

A proud smile to say that 'I Climbed the Great Wall of China'.

Greenery overload. Breathtaking. See a bridge between the valley.

After our rest, basked in the glory of reaching the top and enjoyed the view, we headed down the other way, completing this pass almost like a circle. Going down was a different experience. The knees started to shake and since it was a different route, we encountered different stops. There were souvenir shops and an abandoned temple of sort.

Lovers' lock. In eternity.

Miniature statues of Chinese animals on the roof of the temple along the way down.

Our descent through narrower passageway.

 Almost at the bottom. Getting crowded towards the bottom and wishing people good luck on their way up. A long way more for them but definitely worth the time and energy.

Just before boarding the bus, i stopped by the souvenir shops to get myself some memorabilia from the Great Wall. Exhausted and sunburned, you can see me smiling even until today, reminiscing my time at one of my favourite new Seven Wonders of the World. The Juyongguan Gate of the Great Wall of China, ticked. There are other Gates to visit such as the popular Badaling and Mutianyu Gates, but i shall keep that affair for my next trip of the Wall in the future.

It was a dream come true moment for me.

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