Last year when others were contemplating a trip the Great Wall, I cowered. The thought of riding for over 2 hours in a hot taxi, squished in with two others in the back seat did not sound inviting. Also, the thought of climbing up to the Wall in the heat and humidity was majorly intimidating. Then, as timing worked out, and due to other members developing “travelers complaint,” the trip to the Great Wall at BaDaLing did not happen. I had heard that the site at MuTianYu was less crowded and more beautiful, so that was where I really wanted to go, in any case.
This year Cindy and I discussed the option of the Wall and decided that we both wanted to go. We talked to the 20-somethings who had all been to MuTianYu and loved it. Shuli told us that the toboggan ride down from the Wall was the best part – and not scary. But the trip there did sound rather scary. First getting to Beijing, riding the subway and finding our hotel, then getting up at the crack of dawn and taking public transportation to the bus that goes to Hairou County. We would have to get off and find a second bus…oh dear. My language skills are very basic, and Cindy knows how to say “Ni hao” and “shie shie” (hello and thank you).
We were due to leave for our Beijing hotel weekend on Friday, when I finally got a brainwave the night before: why don’t we do it the American tourist way and take a tour. I went online and found “Beijing E-tours” which said that we could have an air-conditioned coach ride, there and back, a guide who spoke English and lunch was included – for $30. Hey, that sounded like the ticket. We could relax, view the scenery without worrying about our language skills or getting lost.
The photos show the approach to the entry gates of the Wall at MuTianYu - where there are the usual troupes hawking their wares.
to be continued....
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