BEIJING DAY 2- 13th November CHINESE WALL-MUTIANYU

Our trip to the Chinese Wall, Mutianyu section, took 2 hours drive from Beijing.
We hired a local guy that took us for 40 Euro return 4 of us. We left at 8am very excited about the idea of walking on the Great Wall of China.
We chose Mutianyu, the second less touristic side 80km from Beijing and one of the toughest ones.
We were really lucky as I don't think we saw more than 20 people in total so we had the great pleasure to enjoy it to the full . Located in Huairou County about 45 miles from Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China. It connects Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. The wall was first built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557). In Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, two famous patriotic generals, rebuilt it in order to strengthen its defensive potential when they guarded the strategic pass. It served as the northern protective screen, guarding the capital and imperial mausoleums for generations.

Mutianyu Great Wall winds 1.4 miles through lofty mountains and high ridges, many sections of which are made of granite. The unique structure makes the wall almost indestructible. It measures 23 to 26 feet high and four to five yards wide. Both of the wall's inner and outer sides have parapets to defend against enemies coming from the two sides. Some parapets are saw- tooth shaped instead of the regular rectangular form. Below the parapets, there are square embrasures the top of which are designed in an arc structure, different from the traditional round embrasures. Besides its strategically important location and compact layout, the Mutianyu Great Wall is also famous for the breath-takingly beautiful scenery. Woods cover over ninety-six percent of the total scenic area. The wall presents different aspects of beauty in the four seasons. Flowers bloom all over the mountains in spring. Grasses dress the hillside green in summer. Trees are laden with sweet fruits in autumn, and especially in October, leaves are turning red or yellow, touching the mountain tops with gold. In winter, the wall is covered by snow, making it seem more magnificent. The pine trees around Mutianyu Great Wall are well-known. There are more than 20 pines over 300 years old and about 200 pines over 100 year old. Besides, spring water at the foot of the wall tastes pure and fragrant, much appreciated by visitors.

In the evening and back in Beijing 3 of us decided to go to the opera in the HUGUANG one.

At the beginning we (I) were quite amazed because the chinese opera has nothing to do to the way we understand opera. I must say that I couldn't find any interest at all as to me it was just some guy screaming. As it went on we did enjoy it more. It was an experience worth doing it.

Back to the hotel we joined the other Chinucas and went for dinner nearby in the hutongs area where we had some delicious noodles and veggies.