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Sunday, March 29, 2009

Great Wall at Badaling

If I had more time to plan things out I would not have taken the hotel recommended tour to the busiest section of the Great Wall at Badaling. We got off to a rough (2 hour) start of lineups and crowds and pushing up to...a slide car. What's a slide car you ask? Well a slide car is the following:

It's like Thunder Run at Great America/Wonderland. I'm not a fan of the tacky souvenirs, constant haggling, pushy lineups and the tour company trying to get you to spend 60 RMB to go on this ride instead of hiking up. He said that we only had an hour, but we spent 2 hours in the lineup and then had an hour at the top. In hindsight, I'd definitely skip the "optional" slide car.

Anyway after finally getting to the top, it was AWESOME!!!

We hiked up to the 8th watch tower and the views were incredible. I couldn't feel my fingers by the end of it and didn't take nearly as many pictures because of the frost bite and snow, but it was totally worth it. I just can't imagine the 2000 years it took to build and how much history has taken place here. It definitely is one thing I've been meaning to check off my list.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Thu!

    Jason and I have been reading your blog. You're absolutely inspiring! Congrats on doing so well and keep it up! This new picture of you looks really great!:)

    Diana

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  2. Hey Diana, thanks so much for the encouragement!!! I need to get back into the swing of things when I go back to Cali! Maybe climing the Chief in Vancouver won't be as hard next time :)

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