The Great Wall and The Ming Tombs

On the way to the wall.

The Great Wall is one of the wonders of the ancient world.  The original wall was begun 2000 years ago, by thousands of workers many of them political prisoners, to keep out the nomads.  The wall occasionally served its purpose but failed as an impenetrable line of defence.

The wall runs from east to west and is almost 6430 kms long.  Not all of the wall is in walking condition.

We began at the Badling section which is the easiest part of the wall to get to from Beijing.  Here the wall is very photogenic and you are able to get some very nice pictures.  There were 7 towers to the end of this part of the Wall and I made it to the end.  Looking back at the wall was amazing.  It was a beautiful view from the top.

The wall nearing the last tower.  Very few people finish.

The end of the wall.  The rest is under construction.  I made it.

The Ming Tombs are a Unesco Site.  They are the final resting place for the 13 of the 16 Ming - dynasty Emperors.

Looking into the heavens.

The Hall of Eminent Flavours.

Chang Ling is the resting place for the first of the 13 emperors to be buried there.  The tomb contains the body of Emperor Yongle, his wife and 16 concubines.  It's the largest most impressive and most important of the tombs.  In the Hall of Eminent Flavours is a recent statue of Yongle.