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China Info | Going
To China | Beijing | Yellow
Mountains |
Shanghai | The Great Wall | Crime
The Great Wall
Standing on the Great
Wall of China will move you in ways that cannot be explained. It's an
awesome piece of achievement and history. Most people say they've seen
it on TV, therefore they see no need to see it in person. But we've all
seen astronauts walking on the surface of the moon on TV, yet few would suggest that they can comprehend the
feeling the astronauts had when actually standing on the moon.
Perhaps to some The Grand
Canyon is more awe inspiring. But nobody built the Grand Canyon.
Badaling VS Simatai
There are many sections
of the Great Wall to visit, and all offer different things to different
people. Badaling is the most famous. It's also the most commercial, and
has that "Just Rebuilt" theme park air about it.
The Simatai section of
the Great Wall is less commercialized and is comprised of the original
wall components. Of the two, Simatai would be considered the "real
deal."
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BADALING
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SIMATAI
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Authentic
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Rebuilt.
Probably looks like it did way back when it was being used to defend
Beijing |
Here
you are seeing the original, now dilapidated structure that has withstood
time, nature and man to remain standing as a monument to true human
achievement |
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Safety
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Very
safe (modern guardrails installed) |
Loose
stones and sheer drops off some sides (no rails on some sides so stay
in the middle) - not a concern for those who are careful |
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Ease
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Though
not a stroll through the park, it's easy climbing |
Small
(thigh burning) steep steps the whole way up |
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Insight
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Best
for those that wait for the movie instead of reading the book |
Best
for those that read the book because they are usually disappointed
with the shallow movie that follows |
Pay for the tour
to the Great Wall. They are not expensive and you won't have to deal with
the headaches of haggling a shaky deal with a driver who doesn't know
you from Adam. Once on the Wall, you can climb at your own pace. The only
downside is you'll have to be back on the bus at a set time, so wear a
watch and pace yourself for the return trip.
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