The hills form a natural formidable barrier on their own. The Great Wall delivers the final kiss of death to even the most foolhardy barbarian's dream of invading the Middle Kingdom.
The ramparts are steep, some parts requiring him to almost get down on all fours. The stairs are just as high with some steps being at eye-level. Up here on the wall, you're exposed to the elements: sun, wind and rain. It's hard to imagine the lives of stalwart watchmen during the hellish summers and icy winters.
At the twelfth watchtower, he gazes around. The hills slope gently downwards on both sides. The wall stretches back awy from him. And before him: Tian Qiao, the Heavenly Bridge, a narrow stretch of the wall shielded by parapets only on the north side. The bridge looks enticing as it climbs up along the mountain range. He considers paying the 'fine' of 200 yuan just to trek the deadly section.
Faraway, watchtowers along the mountain range emerge like phantoms out of the haze. It's hauntingly beautiful. The silence lends itself to the atmosphere and he's glad he came all the way to Simatai. He takes one last desiring look at the Heavenly Bridge before he starts the run down.
The ramparts are steep, some parts requiring him to almost get down on all fours. The stairs are just as high with some steps being at eye-level. Up here on the wall, you're exposed to the elements: sun, wind and rain. It's hard to imagine the lives of stalwart watchmen during the hellish summers and icy winters.
At the twelfth watchtower, he gazes around. The hills slope gently downwards on both sides. The wall stretches back awy from him. And before him: Tian Qiao, the Heavenly Bridge, a narrow stretch of the wall shielded by parapets only on the north side. The bridge looks enticing as it climbs up along the mountain range. He considers paying the 'fine' of 200 yuan just to trek the deadly section.
Faraway, watchtowers along the mountain range emerge like phantoms out of the haze. It's hauntingly beautiful. The silence lends itself to the atmosphere and he's glad he came all the way to Simatai. He takes one last desiring look at the Heavenly Bridge before he starts the run down.
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