Today, we climbed the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu.
Located about 45 miles outside of Beijing, Mutianyu is a bit more rugged and less crowded than the more famous Badaling. Over 96% of Mutianyu is covered by trees and orchards.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu was originally built in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577), and restored in the early Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644).
The climb TO the Great Wall is daunting - from the parking lot it’s about 1/2 mile of steep, steep walkway lined with vendors hawking t-shirts and fans and hats and embroidered cloth and cold drinks.
Then it’s another gazillion steep steps up to the cable car.
A 10 minute ride even farther up the moutain, and we’re there.
Almost.
MORE steps to the base of the Wall.
Then MORE - and we’re on the Wall.
The Great Wall of China.
My Mom is amazing!
80 years old, and she is game for any challenge. She wasn’t about to let her age be an excuse for missing out on anything.
We walked from one watchtower to the next, slowly, stopping to catch our breath here and there.
“Betcey,” she’d say.
“Yeah, Mom?”
“We’re climbing the Great Wall of China!!”
“Yeah, Mom, we are!”
Mind-boggling.
Your Mom is awesome! So are you :) So glad you two could enjoy that trip together!
ReplyDeleteHey Betcey - Looks like a great trip and taking it with your Mom is so cool! Funny to get back in touch right now as I am about to finish a career changing degree in teaching ESL and China is one of the places I am thinking of going for a year or two to teach. Love your photos!
ReplyDelete