By Gavin Jon Mowat, People's Daily Online

One thing that really speaks volumes about the achievements of the Chinese people is the manner in which the Great Wall of China enjoys recognition from almost every single human being on the planet. It alone is reason enough for some people to travel thousands of miles to China, and it completely lives up to expectations. Well, almost, I hear you can't actually see the Great Wall from space.

So for any budding space tourists who are thinking about going to marvel at the Great Wall from earth's outer atmosphere, perhaps you would be wise to plant your feet firmly on the ground and walk along the staircases and ramparts like the rest of us. Many famous heads of state and dignitaries have scaled the Great Wall, following Chairman Mao's example after he said; "If you haven't been to the Great Wall, you aren't a real man." Since coming to China I have been to three different sections of the Great Wall, each one making me more a man than the last…

Mutianyu section;


The Mutianyu Great Wall

My first encounter with the Great Wall was here. Its size, its beauty, the setting and the spectacle of its history made me and everyone I was with fall silent as we approached. Standing on top of the Wall for the first time was awe inspiring. It would be a marvelous feet to build this by today's standards, but while up there I began to think about the people who built this wall so very long ago. Without today's technology it must have been very arduous and dangerous work. Keeping out the barbarians from the north, the Chinese people sacrificed their bodies, their blood, sweat and tears to make this wall. My friend Kyle summed up our mood when he said "You gotta give them this, the Chinese have done something amazing here!" And he was absolutely right, they had.


All smiles walking up the Wall


Kyle waves at the camera miles away


Lush forest surrounding the Mutianyu Wall

Seeing, touching and walking on one of mankind's greatest ever achievements in construction gave me a strange sense of pride at being a part of the human race. And it was with this feeling that I walked along the Wall, climbing step after step and resting at the many ramparts along the way. The views all around were spectacular. Rugged mountains covered in lush green forests filled the horizon. Walking along the undulating Wall I felt a great sense of achievement. Not least did I feel a personal achievement for finally making it to one of the world's great wonders, which had always been one of my dreams. After walking up hundreds of stairs to get to the wall we realized there was a chair lift to the top… Exhausted from the climb up, we unanimously decided not to use our legs to carry us back down; opting instead to take one of the man made routes – a slide. It didn't feel or look terribly safe; the only thing reminding us to slow down were a few widely waving guards strategically placed before every corner. But not to worry, the 1 yuan insurance made us all feel very safe…


My dad enjoys the scenery


Steep steps leading to a rampart


The donkey I always see at Mutianyu

Since that first visit I have been back to the Mutianyu section of the wall on quite a few occasions, usually with visiting family or friends. At this part of the Wall I have seen the same donkey 3 times, posed with guys dressed like warriors, haggled at the stalls and I even got someone to write the word ‘long' (dragon) in calligraphy on a t-shirt at one of the ramparts. It's a really stunning place that makes me realize how much we can achieve when we work together, and not only that the walk up (which I've done more often than not) really gives you a good work out!


View of the Wall through the trees below
【1】 【2】 【3】