Thank you, Susan. It's a beautiful spot but I wish I had had the opportunity to see an unreconstructed section too. The early 90s - what a fascinating time to be in China!
Yes, it was an amazing time to live in China. Lots of significant history and things had such a different charm. We bought our groceries at an outdoor market down an alleyway off the north campus. My students at the medical college loved to do ballroom dancing on Friday evenings. Life was far simpler and we biked or walked everywhere.
I went alone to the Great Wall in the heat of dummer and was adopted on the hike by a group of schoolgirls who were astonished that I needed to drink water!
Yeah I heard Mutianyu is perhaps a better option. I would have loved to have seen a truly unspoilt, undeveloped section, just to compare with my experiences at Badaling.
"Yet there is something intoxicating about it - the idea that I am here, standing before something so colossal, so ancient, and so steeped in history. I am aware, too, that this experience is not entirely mine to own. The Great Wall has been commodified, but even so, I cannot help but marvel at its scale. It stretches up the mountainside, the stone steps uneven beneath my feet, the view opening up as I climb higher."
So much of Nico's reflections mirror what I've heard other's describe when visiting places like the Great Wall. I felt it in Ha Long Bay and across various points in Beijing. So much of what we see brings with it the juxtaposition of greatness combined with the feeling of dirtiness associated with the march of over-tourism.
Wandering a part of the Great Wall really does put things in perspective, doesn't it? Everything I did while traveling in China – even the most mundane things as taking the subway or going grocery shopping – felt completely epic.
You've hit the nail on the head. That's what first struck me about China - even the simplest of tasks was so far removed from anything I had ever known. It was a huge adventure.
Walking on a symbol--yes! I've done that climb too, or something near there, I can't remember exactly. Mind-blowing. This brought it back. Well done, thanks!
I have been to that area of the Great Wall twice. I taught in Nanchang in the early 90s. Fun to read your article.
Thank you, Susan. It's a beautiful spot but I wish I had had the opportunity to see an unreconstructed section too. The early 90s - what a fascinating time to be in China!
Yes, it was an amazing time to live in China. Lots of significant history and things had such a different charm. We bought our groceries at an outdoor market down an alleyway off the north campus. My students at the medical college loved to do ballroom dancing on Friday evenings. Life was far simpler and we biked or walked everywhere.
I went alone to the Great Wall in the heat of dummer and was adopted on the hike by a group of schoolgirls who were astonished that I needed to drink water!
I love how these types of interactions (which seem inconsequential in the moment) can leave the longest impression on us.
Oops, heat of *summer
Fun read! We must see the Great Wall, bc it is great 😄. Mutianyu is a quieter section but it’s still touristy. 🙏
Yeah I heard Mutianyu is perhaps a better option. I would have loved to have seen a truly unspoilt, undeveloped section, just to compare with my experiences at Badaling.
I have gone beyond Mutianyu, “hiking” on the ruins of the wall, but it’s not as exciting as one might think.
"Yet there is something intoxicating about it - the idea that I am here, standing before something so colossal, so ancient, and so steeped in history. I am aware, too, that this experience is not entirely mine to own. The Great Wall has been commodified, but even so, I cannot help but marvel at its scale. It stretches up the mountainside, the stone steps uneven beneath my feet, the view opening up as I climb higher."
So much of Nico's reflections mirror what I've heard other's describe when visiting places like the Great Wall. I felt it in Ha Long Bay and across various points in Beijing. So much of what we see brings with it the juxtaposition of greatness combined with the feeling of dirtiness associated with the march of over-tourism.
Wandering a part of the Great Wall really does put things in perspective, doesn't it? Everything I did while traveling in China – even the most mundane things as taking the subway or going grocery shopping – felt completely epic.
You've hit the nail on the head. That's what first struck me about China - even the simplest of tasks was so far removed from anything I had ever known. It was a huge adventure.
Such a wonderful adventure! So nice to see others who can relate to that. Thanks for your reply :)
Walking on a symbol--yes! I've done that climb too, or something near there, I can't remember exactly. Mind-blowing. This brought it back. Well done, thanks!
Thanks Dan, I appreciate the comment!
I love the compassion you felt for the camel♥️🙏🏽☮️. Your sensitivity is as sweet as chocolate. 🖖🏽