Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is probably the best known of China's attractions.  Most tourists to Beijing go to the wall at Badaling, which is around a 60-90 minutes drive away. However, because of this relative closeness, it is always very crowded, so we elected to go to the wall at Mutianyu, which is around a 2 1/2 hour's drive away.  Although this meant an early start, it was worth it since when we got to the wall it was more or less deserted.

Again, pictures cannot prepare you for the scale of the wall (or it's incredible steepness).  The wall here has been restored to it's original condition, but by walking for 1/2 a mile or so, you reach the end of the restored section and can see the wall in it's un-restored state.

We accessed the wall using a small cable car.  You have the choice of either returning the same way, on foot or by using a long toboggan slide.  Health and safety might want to look away now - there are long drops over the side of the slide, and the idea of speed control is a few signs and people shouting "Slow Down" in multiple languages at particularly sharp corners.  It was great fun!