Day 15: Touring China by Bicycle;
Today, We Visit the Great Wall of China
and later a Downtown Beijing Street Mall.
Some of the Gang on the Great Wall at Mutianyu, China (L-R):
Reg, Jon, Sharon, Chrissy, Terry, Linda, and Dennis.
It is Fall on a segment of the Great Wall, we're looking Easterly.
A Great Wall Guard Station, view looking Westward.
Actual guards would have cut back any tall foliage near the Wall.
Day 15 Begins
Above Left: We're on the road; here's a road sign for the Great Wall at Mutianyu, China.
Above Right: Information about the Great Wall.
Above Left: General Ming stands ready to have his picture taken.
Above Right: Terry Struck stands by some trails signs that lead to different points on the Great Wall. BTW, that carry-bag is a multi-functional bicycle handlebar bag. The outside air temperature is in the low 50's F (low 10's C) and Fall is in the air.
Above Left: We know that the big red star tells us where we are, but apparently we are not on this map.
Above Right: Terry Struck: We've climbed enough steps to actually see the Great Wall. It's kind of exciting; in fact it is probably a Bucket List item for half the people in the cycling group.
Above Left: We're going in.
Above Right: The walkway is worn from centuries of foot patrols.
Above Left: View from a Guard Station.
Above Right: Wall Castellations (or square sine waves).
Above Left: Dennis Struck on the Great Wall of China.
Above Right: Some engineering problems occurred here.
Above Left: Guard Station Fire Place.
Above Right: This was a steep section of the Great Wall with short steps. This was the highest point that we were allowed to climb.
Above: Back view of the Great Wall of China. We could see Beijing from here but it was a look into the sun and the city could not be captured by our camera.
Heading back to the (Start Point) Tourist Shops
Above Left: We're eating Crepe Like Pancakes with different Fruit Compote choices. Pictured L-R: Sharon, Linda, Reg's Chin, and Terry (very happy).
Above Right: Waiting for round two. Pictured L-R: Jon, Vincent, Sharon, Linda's hat, and Reg.
Above Left: Proof of a Successful Shopping Day.
Above Right: Back in Beijing, I wonder what this sign means?
We're heading for some Beijing Street Shops.
Above Left: This major roadway has an underground pedestrian crossing. This just happens to be the same road in front of Tiananmen Square (north end) and it is the same road that hosts the famous military power parades with huge Rockets on Trucks, Tanks, lots of Soldiers and Military on foot, marching. We are about 2 kilometers east of Tiananmen Square - We're about to enter a shopping area.
We are looking for new books to read (we came with many page books to read, just in case, but events conspired to have us read 80% of the books during our 36 hour travel time just to get to China from Colorado). We will be looking at the same issue when we head home. Also, unbeknownst to us, other travelers were facing the same issue. Eventually, Dennis will end up trading his book with Jon.
Above Right: Store Promotion, involves a Princess and a Warrior in Armor.
Above Left: Western Two-fer (KFC and Starbucks in one picture frame) in downtown Beijing.
Above Right: This Fad of Panda Hats will probably hit the U.S. in two more years.
Above Left: Meatballs on a stick and a cute bunny outfit.
Above Right: Now that we are all experts at using Chop Sticks, some of our adventuresome explorers have found training sticks for kids in the local market.