| The Great Wall of China is not just an | | | | Beijing because the sections of this part of |
| ordinary travel icon; besides the role it | | | | the wall are very good for sightseeing and |
| plays in China's tourism, it has led to the | | | | have great features. Besides that, it affords |
| development of China's long history and | | | | them the opportunity to see other historical |
| culture. People are curious to understand the | | | | attractions like the Forbidden City, Temple |
| facts of how the great wall came about; | | | | of Heaven, and Tiananmen Square etc. |
| however, it is not until one visits this | | | | |
| majestic structure, you can truly understand | | | | The most popular sections to visit and climb |
| the significance of the great wall to China | | | | the great wall in Beijing are the Badaling, |
| and the rest of the world. | | | | Simatai, and Mutianyu sections. |
| | | | |
| The origin of story of the great wall is | | | | Badaling section of the great wall is located |
| unknown, but history shows that the | | | | 70 km away from the center of Beijing and is |
| construction of the wall began in the early | | | | the most popular section to climb the wall in |
| seventh century B.C and was made out of | | | | Beijing. It was the first part of the wall to |
| stone, wood, grass and earth. This was when | | | | be opened to tourists. History has it that |
| the earliest regional kingdom was built for | | | | Badaling section was built to protect the |
| the defensive military needs. The purpose was | | | | Juyongguan Pass, along which the Guan'gou |
| to protect the farming lands from the | | | | gorge and several interesting sites of |
| invasion of the tribes from the north and to | | | | interest are located. This section of the |
| hold the natives from vacating the lands. | | | | Great Wall was made by huge bar stones and |
| Used as a military demarcation, there were | | | | paved with square bricks making the wall |
| various watchtowers which stood at varying | | | | pavement smoothly ordered. The Badaling |
| distances from each other; these towers | | | | section became a national cultural relic and |
| substituted the time warning system used | | | | a world heritage listing by United Nations in |
| during the ancient times. The fire and smoke | | | | 1987. |
| signaled the day and night time respectively. | | | | |
| Many of these watch towers still remain in | | | | Simatai section in Beijing is a very remote |
| their original position where they stood | | | | and quiet section on the great wall. The |
| while some have been destroyed during the | | | | ruins and untouched parts of this section is |
| revolution. | | | | what helped Simatai section earn its |
| | | | reputation of being the unique section of the |
| Over the years, parts of the great wall was | | | | wall. There are features retained from over |
| destroyed and rebuilt and more sections were | | | | the years which were untouched and looks like |
| added. Due to this construction, it stretched | | | | what it used to be like over 500 years ago. |
| so wide from the east to the west bordering | | | | This section of the wall has about twelve |
| almost the entire country. At present, they | | | | watch towers at different intervals and takes |
| say it measures about 7300km from one end to | | | | about 2hours to reach the twelfth tower. |
| the other. | | | | Simatai section is great for adventure hikers |
| | | | and trekkers. |
| There are different sections to travel the | | | | |
| wall, all of which have different attractions | | | | The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is |
| and features. The sections also represent the | | | | located on Huairou County northeast of |
| roles played during the construction of the | | | | Beijing. This section of the wall is known |
| great wall. For adventure lovers, it would be | | | | for its unique quality of construction and |
| a challenging task to travel the entire | | | | features compared to other sections of the |
| length of the wall. The Great Wall Marathon | | | | wall. It is known as the main essence of the |
| and Half Marathon is an annual marathon race | | | | great wall because of the style which it was |
| which takes place every year in China. For | | | | built. |
| runners and adventures, this marathon is one | | | | |
| of the experiences of a lifetime as they run | | | | In Summary, traveling the great wall is one |
| through 7km of the incredible wall passing | | | | of the greatest experiences of a lifetime and |
| through beautiful countryside villages and | | | | it is difficult to understand its history |
| mountain trails. | | | | until it is visited. It is assumed to be one |
| | | | of the top 100 things to do in this lifetime. |
| For tourists on short stays in China, | | | | |
| climbing the great wall from almost any part | | | | For more information about China Travel, |
| of northern china is possible, although, many | | | | China Tour Vacations, visit Passport to |
| travelers prefer to climb the wall from | | | | China. |