I’ve teased it for long enough, and the wait is finally over! Today, I’m thrilled to share my recent visit to one of the world’s most iconic wonders: the Great Wall of China. Not only did I proudly claim my manhood by climbing all the way to the Hero Platform (the highest tower in the open section), but I also had the incredible fortune of meeting another solo traveler in my tour group from Australia, and together, we explored this magnificent site. With my sister having had a wonderful visit to Taiwan and finals mostly behind me, my mind is finally clear to recount every breathtaking detail. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer scale and history of this incredible landmark!
Before sharing my epic ascent and some more of the photos that made my camera work overtime, let’s take a quick detour back in time. Because, seriously, you can’t stand on something as monumental as the Great Wall without appreciating the centuries of sweat, grit, and sheer willpower that went into building it. While many people think of it as one continuous wall, it’s actually a sprawling network of fortifications, watchtowers, and barracks built over thousands of years by various dynasties. We’re talking ancient engineering on a scale that blows my mind, all designed to protect against invasions from the north. Standing there, feeling the history under my feet, it wasn’t just bricks and mortar; it was a testament to ambition, spectacular engineering, and the incredible legacy of imperial China.
Now, the section I got to experience was Mutianyu, and much like the emperors of old, the current government over the past few decades has put a lot of effort into its preservation and renovation, making it incredibly accessible for visitors like me. Located about 70km northeast of Beijing, I joined a group tour that I found on Booking.com. They provided transportation by bus, and while not all-inclusive, the price was very reasonable for getting me there while also providing support from an English-speaking guide and lunch. The weather (as you can see) was absolutely spectacular and clear, with early-spring blooms beginning to appear. To get up to the Wall itself, you’ve got options: either a long hike or pay a little bit extra for the gondola service up and down (everyone in the group chose this option). Oh, and did I mention that you can also take a toboggan slide down? While the views from the Wall and walking where Chinese soldiers once stood vigilant for centuries were the highlights of the visit, breezing down from the Wall on the slide proved to me that tourism in mainland China can be both educational and fun!
With the logistics out of the way, I now want to share two parts of my own experience that really made my visit to the Great Wall special. First, I met another solo traveler from Australia who also chose to sit at the back of our tour bus, far away from all of the couples. We got to chatting and eventually decided to explore the Wall together, which definitely made my experience a lot better, although he was in better shape than I was! But ultimately, we conquered even the greatest challenges the Mutianyu section has to offer, even if I was a few feet behind him most of the time. That includes the climb up to what’s known as the ‘Hero Platform’ – the highest point in the open section of the Mutianyu Great Wall. It grants spectacular panoramic views, and I think it looks much more intimidating on the way down with the steep steps. There is even a marker onsite that says, unless you make it to the top, you cannot call yourself a ‘true man’. So, I naturally had to take the opportunity to demonstrate my strength, because I wasn’t going to let a sign destroy my fragile masculinity. However, I couldn’t help but wonder on the way up how, with such a prevalence of smoking in Chinese society, some of the old Chinese men were able to climb up to the top just as easily as I did.
I hope you enjoyed these little anecdotes and felt as if you were exploring the Great Wall with me, because it’s time to wrap up this post. However, please feel free to send me any of your questions or remarks by replying in the comments below. Or, alternatively, you could always throw me a ‘Like’ on Substack to show both the algorithm and me that you think this is good content!
Next week, we depart for Henan Province so that I can write about the second city I visited during my trip to the mainland: Luoyang. Prepare to be amazed by its incredible cultural heritage, most notably the breathtaking Buddhist artistry of the Longmen Grottoes. In the meantime, it’s heating up here in Taiwan big time, so keep me in your prayers that I don’t melt into a puddle before next week! Thanks for reading, y’all!
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