Another trip, and another section of the wall this time. Again, it was great ! The wall sections that are maintained for visitors are great places to visit, well organized, well maintained, and easily accessed.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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The walk leading up to the wall from the parking area is lined with souvenir shops.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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You can climb up trails, or you can ride up on a gondola lift, I recommend the lift. The mountainous area in this section of the wall rises and falls considerably while you are walking along the wall. Adding a climb up to the level of the wall would be adding some significant uphill hiking.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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A foggy day. We weren't able to see the long trailing lines of the wall winding up and down the ridges and hills off into the distance. We had to satisfy ourselves with shorter views and the effects of the low visibility.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Cool effect in the towers...you could see the clouds of fog
rolling gently in through one portal and out another.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Lots of moisture that day. It clung to everything. The Mutianyu section of the wall had very different vegetation than the Badaling section I visited earlier. The trees come right up to and in some cases over the edges of the wall at Mutianyu.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Very few people that morning, partly because of the early hour,
maybe also people saw the fog forecast.
We had only one day, so we were full speed ahead.
maybe also people saw the fog forecast.
We had only one day, so we were full speed ahead.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Cute little guy. Calling out to his mom
who had disapeared into the fog.
(grandfather close behind, looking out for him)
who had disapeared into the fog.
(grandfather close behind, looking out for him)
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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It looks cold, but in reality was quite warm and really, really moist.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Interesting views along the walls, trees peering through the fog.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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It was eerie at times, hearing voices,
not far away, drifting through the fog,
even though no other visitors could be seen.
not far away, drifting through the fog,
even though no other visitors could be seen.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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My day at Badaling was shared with thousands of other visitors.
But this day, even though the viewing was compromised by the fog,
we had the wall almost to ourselves.
But this day, even though the viewing was compromised by the fog,
we had the wall almost to ourselves.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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A wide variety of trees reach right up to the edge of the wall
for great views through the tree tops.
for great views through the tree tops.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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As I say, the wall treks up and down,
providing some strenuous hiking.
providing some strenuous hiking.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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It seems that this section of the wall is no stranger to moisture.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Finally, it began to brighten...a bit...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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...increasing the distance we could see.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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As the morning passed, more and more people arrived to take part...
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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...and LOTS of them were down in the souvenir area.
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Photo by Mark W. Laughlin
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Couldn't resist adding this shot for a little color. This fruit appeared to be grown locally (we saw lots of fruit trees on the drive up). They were selling it roadside and in several locations in the souvenir area.
The Badaling and Mutianyu sections of the Great Wall are easily reachable by car or bus from Beijing. If you visit China, I highly recommend flying through Beijing and taking some time to see them. Wear good walking shoes and be prepared to climb. Don't hesitate to take the lifts to eliminate some of the effort.
- Mark W. Laughlin
August 2012
