The Great Wall of China

Sure, most of you have probably seen pictures of the Great Wall before, but I'm here to tell you the pictures don't even begin to do it justice. Pictures can only capture a small part of it, and it's a totally different thing to stand there and see it scretching over the mountains in both directions as far as you can see.

I did a small loop of the Great Wall just outside of Beijing. It was circular there because it was the old gate into the city, and the enclosure was intended to house troops ready to go to war at a moment's notice. I'd say the loop was probably only about a mile, but that's a mile of STAIRS, so it was quite difficult. I made it around, though, and I saw a lot of really great views of the city and mountains around it because of it. Oddly, Beijing is mostly flat, but he part near the Great Wall is really mountainous.

I'm seperating these pictures out because there are so many of them. Enjoy!

R