I was ready for a big day – trip to the Great Wall of China. I got up very early at 5:00am and already 5:12am I was at the entrance of hostel and the driver was already waiting for me to take me to the bus. I wanted to buy a normal tour but it was more than double the price and one local guy helped me to organize this trip.
I sat in the bus and I could feel my stomach digesting itself. I quickly ran out of the bus and saw a big crowd standing by the burger stand. What are they doing at 5:00am there? I bought couple of them and finish them off in the bus. Still waiting for the bus to start moving. The guide finally boards the bus and starts explaining in Chineese. Oh well, the most important I know where they are taking us – to the Great Wall of China. After 10min of her chatter my head starts hurting as she was load through the bus loudspeakers! I put my earphones and put on the music. A bit better, but still could hear her. Before leaving they checked the list of passengers and they read my name in a very funny way. I understood that she said that I was the only american in the bus (though I am not american lol).
She came to take the money for the trip. I gave 100RMB (save 160RMB not buying the trip in the hostel). She gave me some form to fill in. All in Chineese. Such fun! Few moments, later one guy who could speak a bit of English explained to me what to fill and where. I finally felt asleep in all that noise. I was following after one Chineese family as they were the only ones who spoke some english and I didn’t want to get lost in these crowds. Good luck finding the bus then!
We had 2h to explore the Great Wall. I would say it was a little bit too short, but in the end it was just enough. I also took a picture with a stone which says “the man cannot be great if he didn’t clime the Great Wall”. I’ve made the great wall and even got a certificate on a metal plate engraved to confirm that!
Further I could see the deteriorated wall, where tourists are not allowed to go. It looked very charming. I’ve heard stories that in some places the wall actually even goes under water of some lake, which you can visit.
To go down it was a bit easier, especially when I have long legs. Some locals were going down very slowly, sideways as the stairs are quite high and steep.
After that, they took us to some museum/shop. They had all kinds of stone statues and prices were up to 24000RMB. Very beautiful, but I didn’t buy anything. That museum was also very busy. The sellers shouting through loudspeakers. Kind of crazy!
It was time for lunch! All of us wen to a hall with around 50 tables, where groups were chaning and eating. They took the plastic tablecloth and a new one remained as they were layered. It loked very dirty after the table was finished eating. They started puting cucumbers, fish, rice, white bus, fried courgette, toufu and etc. We’ve got seated at the table, meanwhile they were continuing shouting through loudspeakers.
Once the table was ready, everyone started eating like they were straving! It almost looked like a rat race! Whoever eats fastests will eat the most. Let the race begin! Everyone was full mouths, stuffing more, dripping on the table. I tried fish again and it was bony again so I was a bit scared to eat it. While I was having my doubts, the fish was gone. People with chopsticks literally devoured it, just like hungry piranhas! I switched to fried courgette and then to fried pork belly. At least it looked and tasted like pork belly. No one was eating it except me as it was quite fatty. I liked it and stuffed my stomach! I felt asleep in the bus again.
I woke up at Ming dynasty thombs. We passed everything quite quickluy. It was beautiful view to the mountains from the stone path on the stone wall.
The Ming Dynasty Tombs near Beijing are a collection of mausoleums built by the emperors of the Ming Dynasty. Located about 50 kilometers northwest of Beijing, they are nestled in a peaceful, scenic valley encircled by mountains. The area is known as Shisanling, meaning “Thirteen Tombs,” as it is the final resting place for thirteen of the sixteen Ming emperors. The site covers an expansive area of approximately 40 square kilometers. A 7-kilometer Sacred Way, flanked by statues of animals and officials, leads to the tombs. The most visited tomb is Changling, the burial place of Emperor Yongle, who was the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty.
After that they took us to some sweets heaven. Just like in previous shop they gave numbers for the bus, so that the guide would know how much kickbacks to take. I’ve tasted different fried fruits. However, everything was quite expensive there, so I was satisfied with just a tasting session. By the way, I was the only foreigner in all those places. Very strange feeling, but I’ve felt how the locals travel oin here – in large quantities.
In the end we also visited some Hindu temple. Or maybe Budhist? I didn’t understand nor could read. I could see Budha and Shyva, so I got confused. It looked very commercial temple and it was quite boring because the guide was telling something in Chineese a lot. There was a lot of writings and pictures with communist leaders and how the China got modern. Finally, we were heading back to Beiging. I was very tired.
