The Great Wall, Less Traveled

The beauty of a light snow on the twist and turns of the Great Wall

Visiting the Great Wall of China in the winter has it's benefits. Less tourists and a chance to see a snow laden wall with a chill in the air. Although a bit cold it is well worth it after a light snow.

One of the 7,000 guard towers protecting the Wall

Mutianyu is one of my favorite parts of the wall as it is less visited than Badaling. The landscape around lends to phenomenal photo opportunities and add a bit of snow and you have a story book setting. 

There are guard towers about every kilometer

The Great Wall was built to protect the north of the empire of China from enemy attacks. The longest structure ever built, It is about 21,196 kilometres (13,171 miles) long, 9.1 metres (30 feet) wide and 15 metres (50 feet) high.  

Walkway to the tower

The Ming Dynasty started using bricks as the earlier parts of the wall were built of dirt and stones for the most part.  There are a total of 7,000 watch towers for soldiers to send smoke signals in case of enemy invasion. 

Inside of the guard tower looking out the window

Note a bad view looking out of one guard tower

Canon on the Great Wall

In between the towers canons were placed to defend themselves in case of an enemy attack. You can still find them on the Mutianyu area of the wall, although it is there for looks nowadays.

When you look out over the Great Wall one cannot imagine the scale it took to build such a amazing structure through the mountains.

A total of nineteen walls have been built that were called the Great Wall of China. The first being built in the 7th century BC . The most famous wall was built between 226–200 BC during the Qin Dynasty but not much of this wall still remains as people have been stealing parts to build homes, farms or reservoirs over the years. The current wall was built during the Ming Dynasty from 1368 to 1644 AD.

Tower in the distance

Icicles on chinese lanterns at the entrance reminding me of how cold it will be

You can purchase these and write yur wishes and leave it at the wall for good luck. I actually bought one to bring home

The Great Wall of China is definately worth the Bucket List and a visit any time of the year. If you do not mind the cold i reccomend the winter months.

The view over the valley and Lingshan mountain range