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I woke at 4:00 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep, so I watched an Italian game show on TV - pretty sad.
China 2001 - Part Two: Beidaihe
Dougburnett2003-11-23 19:49:32
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my map. He also showed me where to get the bus into Shanhaiguan so I could see the rest of the Wall.
As I had already purchased my ticket at the hotel - it was a whopping 35 Yuan ($4) - I just walked the mile or so back to the sea. The Wall has been completely rebuilt and looks brand new. Besides an old army barracks and a few temples, there were also tourist shops and restaurants lining the way.
Finally, I climbed on the Wall and had a delightful view of the hazy sea beyond. While the Wall is not nearly as spectacular here as it is near Beijing, it is still quite evocative. Motorboats buzzed in front and a strong sea breeze blew. Most of the tourists were Chinese - I was the only big nose, as the Chinese call us Westerners.
After half an hour I decided to move on to see "First Pass Under Heaven" as the Wall is known in Shanhaiguan. As I stood at the bus stop a man in a pickup truck stopped and offered me a ride. At first he wanted 10 Yuan, but I insisted I wouldn't pay more than the bus - 3 Yuan. Finally, he got a big smile on his face and waived me into the cab. He was very friendly and talked the whole way in Chinese. I, of course, answered him in English. It was a pleasant enough ride.
In less than 10 minutes we were at First Pass. I also had this ticket (another 35 Yuan) and just walked up to the wall. It's pretty flat here and every few hundred yards there was another stand: some selling souvenirs and some snacks. There were also stands where you could have your picture taken in ancient Chinese dress. Toward the north I could see the Wall running in the mountains.
I walked the length and then went looking for something to eat. I walked into Shanhaiguan proper and then out to the main road, but didn't see anyplace that looked inviting. I decided to take the bus back to the hotel and eat there.
Sitting on the
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See photographs from:
China Gallery
