-A priceless experience

By Rabindra Rooplall
IT took me all of two hours to get there by bus from the hotel.

And as I alighted at my destination, this being the starting point of the arduous climb that lay ahead, I was assailed by a sheer sense of urgency and excitement;
urgency to be about my business as quickly as possible, and excitement at the thought of what the next hour-and-a-half might bring, as, like many of my fellow tourists, I was about to set foot on “The Great Wall of China” for the very first time.
The Great Wall wasn’t the first such fortification erected on mainland China to protect its citizenry from foreign invaders, for as far back as the 8th Century, barriers were going up to repel nomadic armies.
When Qin Shi Huang seized power of a collection of neighboring principalities in 221 BCE and kicked off the Qin Dynasty, he began construction on a 5000-kilometer wall to safeguard his territory.
Later dynasties continued this work and added their own flourishes. While construction began under the Qin Dynasty, the recognisable segments that we think of when we visualise the Great Wall were largely the handiwork of the Ming Dynasty, which created these facets between the 14th and 17th Centuries.

SPECTACULAR VIEW
Although my sense of adventure was well and truly heightened by now, the actual hike up those stairs only served to complement the spectacular view that lay ahead, as the once-in-a-lifetime experience has left me lasting memories.
The Great Wall, which many swear can be seen from afar off as space, snakes up and over eastern China’s hills and down through the dusty basins of the country’s west.
Made of a mixture of pressed earth, worked stone and bricks, the Great Wall is one of those attractions that is entirely worthy of all its hype.

There’s a pervasive misconception that the Great Wall of China is one long uninterrupted structure. In fact, the Wall is more accurately described as a 20,000-kilometer network of walls spanning the northern border of Ancient and Imperial Chinese territories.
Lining the Great Wall are shrines and tributes to figures from Chinese history. For instance, Guan Yu, a third-century general who served during the Han dynasty, is honoured with temples built on the Wall. Additionally, various points on the Wall pay homage to Ti?nwáng, the Four Heavenly Kings of Buddhism.

NOT SO SECURE

But despite all the effort that went into making ‘The Wall’ the premiere component of China’s military defense system, many of the country’s varied enemies throughout history yet managed passage across the barrier.
A case in point is the Manchurian invasion in the 17th Century, which resulted in the fall of the Ming dynasty.
Then, between 1966 and 1976, miles upon miles of the Wall were stripped of its brick, which were then repurposed to build civilian homes.
“The Great Wall of China” is reputedly a nickname commonly used by Americans, while other Western nations prefer a humbler designation such as: “The Chinese Wall,” “The 10,000-Li-Long Wall”, “The Long Wall of 10,000 Li”, “The Purple Frontier”, and “The Earth Dragon”.
It’s most definitely a great man-made wonder, best seen in person. The Juyong Guan entrance is probably the best place to start the tour when visiting Beijing, and if time is limited.
You need to get there early, though, to avoid the crowds. From the Juyong Guan entrance, you have two choices: Turning either east or west along the wall.
What is certain, however, is that the UNESCO World Culture Heritage Site impresses everyone, from children to adults, who sees it for the first time.

FIRST IMPRESSION
The first thing that came to my mind was the amount of manpower it took to actually achieve such a marvel, and the discipline it required to complete such as project.
According to our Chinese tour guide, the walls were constructed by independent kingdoms to keep out marauding nomads.
The effort required thousands of workers, and some 60 million cubic meters of brick and stone slabs. The guide said this project took over 100 years to complete.
The majority of visitors climb the wall at Badaling. This part of The Great Wall is a fully restored section, which is long enough to make you feel that it is never going to end.
What I can assure anyone climbing this wall for the first time is that the going is extremely tough, especially into the first hour. But the experience is unforgettable.
With more than 4,000 miles to explore, there are hundreds of places to visit along the way. The sites closest to Beijing offer the easiest access. Skip the crowds at Badaling, and head for Jinshanling, two hours northeast of the capital, which offers stunning views and invigorating hikes.

DECEPTIVELY EASY
The start of the climb up the hill is deceptively easy; then you hit the unmerciful steps, which can vary from a few inches to a least a yard high. Some of them have deep depressions in them from centuries of wear.
As I strolled up with the tinge of pain in my thighs, I noticed children filled with energy having dangerous fun, while the older folks seemed exhausted by the mere thought of climbing further.
I climbed the first station and admittedly found myself short of breath due to the lack of exercise. Unless you are an Olympian, you will be taking breaks; lots of them, along with everyone else. I did not realise how long it would take until I was about halfway up. My advice to anyone is never to eat before the trip. And bring multiple bottles of water.
As I made my way down, stopping ever so often before I met my starting point, I realised there was a booth dedicated to certifying visitors who had climbed the magnificent structure.
As a small token, I received a “Certificate of JuyongGuan Great Wall”. The document allows for the holder’s picture and signature to be attached and laminated. It is a great cash earner for the tourist destination.

CHINA’ STONE FOREST
Meanwhile, a visit to Yunnan Province, which is a three-hour flight from Beijing, included a trip to the “Stone Forest”. With breathtaking sets of limestone formations, China’s first wonder of the world has a remarkable view. Yunnan Province, known as the “spring city”, is a destination where there is high domestic tourism.
A visit to the Stone Forest gave me a different perspective on the topography of the region, with its sculptures engraved by nature. The stone forest was a true miracle for visitors to behold.
The forest is a special type of karst (landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, dolomite, and gypsum) landform. Its towering rock pillars in high concentration like a forest of stones, hence, the name. These rock pillars, high and strangely shaped, spread widely in a vast area.
The rocks have memorable names; names such as Ten Thousand Year Mushroom, Mother and Son, Camel Riding on Elephant, Avalokitesvara Rock, Buddha Stone, Rhinoceros looking at the Moon and Beautiful Maiden Ascending from the Water, amongst others.
On the tour, I learned that the Stone Forest is endowed with a pleasant climate, and it is adorned with hundreds of flowers of various species.
The tour guide, whose English name is “Rosemary”, noted that the area is divided into several scenic spots with names like Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Falls.
From afar, it really looks like a dense forest; but as you draw closer, you will find trees are all slender stone pinnacles. The Yi and Sani ethnic group who live there are hardworking, good singers and good dancers. Their folklore and culture are colourful, multifarious and has a long history.
According to the tour guide, many beautiful legends originate in this magical place and they were passed on by the native people known as Sani, a branch of the Yi ethnic group.
One particular story about the faithful love of Ashima, a beautiful, clever and warm-hearted Sani girl, is the most popular and has been told for thousands of years.
There is an old local saying says that “If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.” Truly, the site is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.
The Stone Forest covers 140 square miles and is split into seven parts.