The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China, Beijing, China.
Mutianyu is a section of the Great Wall of China located in Huairou County 70 km northeast of central Beijing and served as the northern barrier defending the capital and the imperial tombs. First built in the mid-6th century during the Northern Qi, the Mutianyu section is older than the Badaling section of the Great Wall. In 1404, a pass was built in the wall. In 1569, the Mutianyu Great Wall was rebuilt and most parts of it are well remain well preserved today.
Built mainly with granite, the wall is 7–8.5 meters high and the top is 4–5 meters wide and 2,250-meters-long. Unique characteristics of Mutianyu include: 22 closely placed watchtowers; both the outer and inner parapets are notched with merlons, so that shots could be fired at the enemy on both sides and the unique watchtower complex at the Mutianyu Pass consisting of 3 watchtowers standing on the same terrace and connected to each other on the inside.
Today, this section of wall is open to visitors. There are three methods of ascent and four methods of descent to choose from namely: Utilizing 4000+ steps, a two-rider chairlift, a four-rider gondola lift and, a single-rider personal wheeled toboggan which allows single riders to descend from the wall to the valley on a winding metal track.
The Great Wall of China is “Just a wall” ……… until you stand on it. It reminded me to never judge anything till I see it, touch it or experience it. The Great Wall of China is a genius concept, a bold idea that may have seemed crazy but was extremely effective. From my visit I learned to be tenacious, courageous, committed, and persistent in order to succeed.