The Eastern Discovery Tour
Day 4

On day four we booked a tour with http://www.beijing-travels.com/ to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, including a go on the bobsleigh run located there. This was followed by lunch at a local trout farm. In the afternoon I had intended to visit the Jiulong Amusement Park, but after my guide told me this was closed he recommended Yanxi Lake to me. This has it's own small amusement park, and an alpine coaster.

In the evening after getting back from the tour I headed over to Houhai Lake.

After the early mourning start, and the long drive we arrived at the Mutianyu section of the great walk. We decided we wanted to hike up to the top, rather than get the cable car up. That sounded like a great idea when planning the trip. You don't though realise until you get there how high up the Great Wall is, and how much hiking is involved to do this. I would still say this is worth doing, but you need to be fit, plus bring along comfortable shoes and clothing, and a couple of bottles of water, even on a relatively cool day.

I mentioned a few days ago how I noticed how the elderly Chinese were a lot more intrepid than in the UK. Here's one of the best examples, a man in his 70's making the major hike up to the Great Wall. I hope I'm both that fit and intrepid when I reach his age.

After the hike up we finally reached the top of the Great Wall. Thankfully it was well worth it. This was one of the most spectacular places I've ever been to, and I've seen New York, the Grand Canyon and the Pyramids of Giza.

I'm told the end of October when I visited is the best time to visit Mutianyu as it's when the trees take on their Autumn colours. Here you can see how spectacular the variety of colours is.

Sadly clear days are a rarity in this part of the world, but even with the mist the views from the top are very impressive.

Another shot of one of the views from the Great Wall.

Even after the hike up there is a lot of hiking involved, climbing the uneven steps as the wall meanders over the hills.

A shot of one of the many watchtowers dotted along the great wall.

You can even climb up some of the watchtowers.

As you get to some of the quieter sections of the wall it really does become an amazing location.