|
Climbing The Great Wall Of China
|
Shaaditimes begins its adventure travelling to the New Seven Wonders of the World this August and what better way to kick start the journey that with a visit to our friendly neighbour - The Great Wall of China.
I must admit that I went to China (Beijing to be more specific) with some preconceived ideas about quaint teahouses and old Chinese men sitting outside their little homes and smoking their pipes. But Beijing turned out to be nothing of the sort. Instead, everywhere I looked I could see concrete and glass skyscrapers and flyover after flyover.
Fortunately for us, the China of old still exists inside the Forbidden City (a great tourist attraction) and the various temples that dot the landscape.
My first day at Beijing saw me at The Great Wall and I was simply amazed at the hundreds of Great Wall tours on offer. Caution: Go with one of the really popular tours at your own peril! I found out the hard way.
Off we went to Badaling, a place where the Wall is the most complete (thanks to several restorations) and which houses the very famous Juyonguan Pass. Most of the pictures of the Great Wall that you see on postcards and travel brochures are of this section of the wall at Badaling.
But as I mentioned before, this turned out to be a huge mistake. The place was swarming with tourists and I was forced to go to places that I didn't want to simply because the crowds were so enormous that I couldn't help but be pushed along with the flow (reminded me of my local train travails back in Bombay).
This was 'NOT' the way I wanted to experience the magnificence of the Great Wall. So on further enquiry, I found out that I could travel about 110 km northeast of Beijing and climb the Wall at a place called Simatai. What a splendid decision that turned out to be and well worth the extra 3 hours of travel!
This section of the Great Wall was everything I had hoped it would be and more! Since it is not as completely restored as the section at Badaling, you get to see the Great Wall in its natural state. And because it has not been promoted as a tourist destination (unlike the Disney-type Badaling!), you can spend your time absorbing the breathtaking historical beauty of the place instead of jostling with touristy crowds.
So how was my experience of the 'Great Wall'?
In two words, "simply indescribable". It may sound like a cliché to say that you have to actually climb the Great Wall to experience its grandeur and splendour, but that is exactly how it is.
The section at Badaling is relatively easier to climb than the one at Simatai, which turned into quite a hike. So, if you're not in good physical condition, you may not have an option but to climb the Great Wall at Badaling.
An extremely romantic tradition of sorts can be witnessed when climbing at Badaling, which just about makes up for all the 'bheed bhaad'. I'm referring to the 'Love Locks'. Innumerable locks with red ribbons around them are affixed to the Great Wall with the help of chains. This is the handiwork of newly married couples and those in love who throw away the keys to the lock after attaching them to the Great Wall, thus signifying their eternal love. Sigh! How romantic.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask our Experts :
Personality Development, Immigration (US), Tarot, Hot Couture, Face Value, Matrimonial Laws, Infertility, Life, etc, Gender Wars, Shaping Up. |
|
 |
|
Copyright © 1999-2010 shaaditimes.com - A relationship and Indian wedding portal by Shaadi.com. - All Rights Reserved.
All trademarks, logos and names are properties of their respective owners.
|
