Today we visited the Great Wall of China which has probably been one of if not the most incredible part of this trip.
The morning started early with a long drive through the mountains outside Beijing on the way to the Great Wall. Even from the road, you could already see sections of the wall stretching across the ridges in the distance. The steep incline of the stairs immediately stood out. Some sections felt almost vertical, and it quickly became clear why people say climbing the wall is harder than it looks. Once we made it up, the views were unbelievable. The wall seemed endless, winding through the mountains in every direction. It was also interesting seeing how different parts of the wall were restored compared to others. Some sections looked almost untouched and rugged, while others were packed with tourists taking photos and stopping at lookout points. Despite the crowds, there were still moments where you could stop, look out over the mountains, and really appreciate the history surrounding the structure. It is incredible to think about how long ago the wall was built and how much labor it took to create something on that scale.
After climbing back down, everyone was definitely ready to eat, so we stopped for a buffet lunch on the drive back into the city. It was a nice reset after spending most of the morning hiking stairs and walking across the wall. The buffet had a mix of traditional Chinese dishes along with some more familiar foods, which gave everyone options depending on how adventurous they were feeling.
Back in the city, we headed over to Tiananmen Square, where much of the area was restricted because of a visit from the president of Pakistan. Only the eastern road surrounding the square was open to the public, which gave us a chance to still walk around the area and take in the atmosphere, even if access was limited. There was a noticeably larger security presence throughout the area, and it was interesting seeing how an international political visit could impact such a major public space in Beijing.
We wrapped everything up by visiting Wangfujing Street, one of Beijing’s busiest shopping streets. The atmosphere there was completely different from the calm mountain scenery at the Great Wall earlier in the day. Bright lights, packed sidewalks, massive stores, and food vendors lined the street in every direction. It felt like a blend of modern shopping culture mixed with traditional Beijing street life. Some people picked up souvenirs while others just explored the different stores and snack stands.
Today really showed the contrast of Beijing. In the span of a few hours, we went from standing on one of the most historic landmarks in the world to walking through one of the busiest shopping districts in China. It was a day that combined history, politics, culture, and modern city life all into one experience, and it is definitely one I will remember long after this trip ends.
No comments:
Post a Comment