Exploring the Great Wall

I have to say that visiting the Great Wall of China was by far the most amazing experience of the trip. We had spent four beautiful days in Guang Dong where the weather was 84 degrees and arrived in Beijing to be met with snow. I had to run to Sports Authority at the mall near our hotel to prepare for the excursion and it was well worth it.

Quick History Lesson:

The Great Wall of China was built along the northern borders of China to protect the Chinese Empire from invaders. By the 7th Century BC several walls were being built and that were later joined together and collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Over time parts of the Great Wall have been rebuilt, maintained and enhanced with a significant reconstruction period during the Ming Dynasty.

From its origins under the first emperor in the third century B.C., the Great Wall has never been a single barrier. Rather, it was an overlapping maze of ramparts and towers that was unified during the Ming dynasty, beginning in the late 1300s. Archeologists suggest that the wall may be as long as 13,000 miles (this includes natural barriers like rivers, hills, etc).

Walking the wall was amazing. I could only wish for more time. Standing on a monument rich with so much history was absolutely amazing. AMAZING is the best way for me to summarize my trip and all of my experiences while in China – Absolutely Amazing.