There are many places to see the Great Wall, and on our way to Simitai, the location with a cable car going up and a toboggan slide coming down, we changed our location and came to JuYongGuan. Our guide suggested this as the prettiest location of all the wall sites, and it was about 1 1/2 hours closer - each way. It was also where the Olympic cyclists ended their event. We were spontaneous and went for the change and really enjoyed the area. It is a valley, and the wall surrounds the valley, protecting it on all sides. The parts of the Great Wall that tourists go to outside of Beijing are all Ming dynasty, although the walls were built centuries before that. What we see at any of these sites are their most recent upgrade and incarnation, which are still pretty old by American standards. It was a magical, beautiful spot. It was a bit "foggy" in the morning, so my camera had a hard time picking up the distant details, which were stunning to the eye. 
Very steep, uneven stairs all the way. Some steps were the height of about 2 or 3 normal steps, and others were less than what one step would be. Very irregular, therefore a little trickier to navigate. This particular section continues up for 2 1/2 k with guard towers frequently breaking the upward journey. We went up about 2 towers worth. I think there are incredible views had we gone about 5 more towers, but we were happy to be on the wall. Grammy Lu headed to the tea house with our guide after this shot.
Storey in one of the guard towers.
It was quite awing to see the worn stone steps we were on and to realize the millions of people who had trod these same places. Wars that had been fought there. It is said that the wall is built with the bodies of those who built it and defended it. Ooohhh.
A very serious reminder of being high in the mountains during inclement weather.
Storey had just bargained for a doll in traditional costume, and then comes this little girl wearing the same headdress as her doll! We had to record it.
Standing in front of Mao's inscription about the heros who have been at the Great Wall and climbed its heights. I think that meant us!
This was at the base of the wall and is called a "jar city". It is a false gate, so when enemies think they have conquered the wall, they end up inside these 4 walls where there is no escape. I will let your imagination take over from here on what would happen next. . . . 
The wall crossing the river to continue up the mountains on the other side.
Now comes the treat of the day! Those interested got a camel ride. I was very happy to finally mount a camel since I missed my opportunity when in Egypt because I was pregnant at the time. Who'd a thunk I would get a camel ride in China? (A very tame ride, but a ride notheless!)
Next we will head to Xi'an.
Very steep, uneven stairs all the way. Some steps were the height of about 2 or 3 normal steps, and others were less than what one step would be. Very irregular, therefore a little trickier to navigate. This particular section continues up for 2 1/2 k with guard towers frequently breaking the upward journey. We went up about 2 towers worth. I think there are incredible views had we gone about 5 more towers, but we were happy to be on the wall. Grammy Lu headed to the tea house with our guide after this shot.
Storey in one of the guard towers.
It was quite awing to see the worn stone steps we were on and to realize the millions of people who had trod these same places. Wars that had been fought there. It is said that the wall is built with the bodies of those who built it and defended it. Ooohhh.
A very serious reminder of being high in the mountains during inclement weather.
Storey had just bargained for a doll in traditional costume, and then comes this little girl wearing the same headdress as her doll! We had to record it.
Standing in front of Mao's inscription about the heros who have been at the Great Wall and climbed its heights. I think that meant us!
This was at the base of the wall and is called a "jar city". It is a false gate, so when enemies think they have conquered the wall, they end up inside these 4 walls where there is no escape. I will let your imagination take over from here on what would happen next. . . . 
The wall crossing the river to continue up the mountains on the other side.
Now comes the treat of the day! Those interested got a camel ride. I was very happy to finally mount a camel since I missed my opportunity when in Egypt because I was pregnant at the time. Who'd a thunk I would get a camel ride in China? (A very tame ride, but a ride notheless!)
Next we will head to Xi'an.
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