By Peter Cao, Great Wall Hiking

Today (18 July 2010), Maria Kuster from Belgium is going to hike the Wall with her younger brother Roberto. We got in a deluxe RED FLAG car and it took us only about 2 hours to Jinshanling by expressway. 

 

“It’s beautiful!” Roberto murmured the moment he set his feet on the Wall. They were in high spirits,taking photos,videos and announcing their heroic hiking to their parents on mobile phone.It was a typical sauna weather of Beijing, we were soaked by sweat soon. After half an hour,we found ourselves walking on the original wall that has never been restored. Maria started to show her bravery by taking gestures in front of the camera. “Do you mind if I put your photo on internet?” I asked. “ Not at all ! Please do it.”

Two hours later, after the highest watchtower,we suddenly realised we were the only people on the wall, no more other tourists, no more vendors, no more local staff. It was like a lonely planet, only singing of birds could be heard. The sister and brother started to shout and sing loudly to express their excitement.

We were stopped eventually at the last tower by a staff of the Wall, telling us we were not allowed to cross the bridge since Simatai section of the Wall had been closed by the government for upgrading development.

But we made it! Three hours hiking---from one end to the other--a mission seemed impossible!

The sister and brother slept soundly in the comfortable car all the way back to Beijing.
 
Trip attended: Highlight of Great Wall Hiking- One-day Jinshanling to Simatai