I went to China for the second time in 1990. Our hosts took us to some of the places I had seen in 1987, including the Great Wall at Badaling near Beijing.
I don’t think it is possible to visit the Great Wall too many times and I found it to be as inspiring the second time as it was the first. But this time, instead of following the tour groups, I headed in the opposite direction and climbed a part of the wall that I had not been been on before.
I did notice some differences in the three years since I had been there before. There were more Chinese families visiting the Wall, and they were younger than the visitors I had seen before. They were also more colorfully dressed than previously.
After getting over the ridge I came to a portion of the Wall that was out of sight for most tourists. This part of the Wall had not been reconstructed; watchtowers were in ruins and parts of the wall had disappeared. In many ways, this part of the Great Wall was even more impressive than the restored parts. The great age of the wall was obvious among the ruins, as was all the effort and suffering that went into its building.
I would definitely go back to visit the Great Wall again!
To see these pictures and others, click HERE.
Tags: China, Great Wall, Travels
Senior Moments 
November 4, 2010 at 3:45 am |
Thank you so much George for sharing these photos with us. What a tremendous experience for you.
November 4, 2010 at 8:26 am |
You are only the second person I know who has visited the Great Wall of China. Most recently, a friend went to China to bring home a little Chinese girl who has fit in her family so very well. The photographs of the wall always leave me awestruck.
November 4, 2010 at 9:09 am |
Amazing, George, just amazing. Love the collage.
My Mother went to China when she was in her 80s and cannot say enough about it. She would love to return. She had so much fun. She went with a tour of college kids and they took care of this sweet little old lady. I think they had fun taking her around too. MB
November 4, 2010 at 9:17 am |
It must be amazing to see the Great Wall. I loved the photographs.
November 4, 2010 at 9:29 am |
Ah! Again you exhibit the courage and adventure to go “The Road Not Taken”. Good for you.
Sounds beautiful and interesting. Glad more younger Chinese are taking in this magnificent sight. I believe China is experiencing its own quiet revolution.
November 4, 2010 at 10:08 am |
Thanks so much, George, for sharing these! They’re wonderful!! My youngest daughter went to China last year and was totally fascinated by the Great Wall. I think it would be incredible to see! But with your photos are the next best thing to being there! Hope you have a great weekend!
Sylvia
November 4, 2010 at 1:18 pm |
Three years ago hubby and son went with a van that our bed and breakfast provided to go to the Big Wall – while I went into the streets of Beijing to paint, because wanted the plein air experience.
The pics of the Great Wall didn’t turn out too well as it was very foggy that day, but I do have a little book with all the angles of the Great Wall. BTW I was looked as a kind of no a novelty painting outside -people are not used to that. What contributed to it too of course was that I was a Western woman- alone (but I felt very safe).
November 4, 2010 at 6:36 pm |
It’s amazing how all those wonderful shots from so many years ago can transport one instantly back in time. Beautiful mosaic and thanks for sharing about your adventures!
November 4, 2010 at 7:56 pm |
George: What a neat look at the famous wall. My son’s group beformed there.
November 4, 2010 at 8:20 pm |
How neat to get to see such a great piece of history.
November 5, 2010 at 5:27 am |
That must have been an exciting trip, both of them, I would enjoy visiting the wall.