If I Could, I Would Build a Wall Around Your Love

Oh Beijing just keeps getting better. Ben, Linda and I woke up early Thursday morning and jumped on a bus headed to Matianyu section of the Great Wall of China. I understand why this is yet another wonder of the world. I love it.

We stopped at the Sacred Walk - the entrance to the Ming Tombs on the way:




Our campy tour group had to stop at several govenment stores before we got to the wall. This did not please me.



We also stopped for an awesome dinner - the first Chinese food in China that I really liked - but I think it was catered for tourists.


But then we had a few hours to make the Great Wall our little playground. The Chinese translation isn't Great Wall, it's Long City. They believe that if a city is walled and is protected then people will want to live there. With the population in the billions, I guess there's some validity to this theory. It's a steep hike to the top of the Wall (with several other options to the top - a lift, a cable car) but the views are breath-taking.




I think I climed about 6 million stairs going up and down several sections of the wall - divided by watch towers along the way.

But the best part of all is those crazy Chinese created a Toboggen slide down the side of the hill. Seriously, it's better than any ride at any amusement park I've ever been at:




You must try it sometime.