china

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe with an eye to expansion [Ref: Wikepedia] Why Was the Great Wall of China Built? Originally built as a wartime defense, the Great Wall of China features many towers and passes. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang first proposed the so-called Long Wall, it was meant to defend the Chinese states against nomadic tribes from the north. During the Han Dynasty the Great Wall was extended to protect the Silk Road trade. The Ming Dynasty, which “took a largely defensive stance,” according to History.com, is known for not only extending the Great Wall, but also repairing and reinforcing existing structures. Getting to the Great Wall (Mutianyu section) from Beijing The beautiful Great Wall is just 70 miles from Beijing. But getting there can be a bit tricky for travelers making the trek solo. Visitors sticking with public transportation will first need to get to Dongzhimen Station, where you can take an hour-long express bus ride to Huairou Station. Then, you’ll need to transfer to a bus stopping at the Mutianyu Roundabout. Most experts on travel to the Great Wall will recommend skipping the train and opting for a hired car and a guide. Especially when your time in Beijing is limited I would strongly advice you to go there with a private tour guide. A tour guide will take you early in the morning to the less popular sections of the wall will help you to maximize your time. We pre-booked a small-Group Great Wall Experience Tour that started at 7:00 in the morning in order to avoid the crowds. The distance from Beijing center is around 73 kilometers (45 miles). It took us around 2 hours to arrive at Mutianyu by mini bus. Mutianyu Mutianyu is the mostly restored, spectacular [...]