When we finally hit the Beijing wall, it was like walking into a Great Wall calendar. Behind us, to the west, lay the outer wall; to the south, the Huanghuacheng inner wall; and ahead of us, reclining majestically on the ridgetop, the Beijing wall. The three of them meet at a place called the Beijing Knot, high atop the needle-sharp Huoshi Mountain, and it was that view that we were treated to as we set up camp near the Nine Window Watchtower.
The Beijing Knot is on the peak to the right
Many of the towers and entrances are overgrown with trees and shrubs
And in some parts, even the wall
The Beijing Knot, or Beijing Jie in Chinese, marks the western boundary of the horseshoe-shaped wall that loops around the north of Beijing.
Making our way towards the Knot, visible in the distance
It is this wall that most tourists visit when they come to China, and it is here that you will find the classic “wall” images – stone, brick, watchtowers, windows, crenellations. For thousands of kilometres we had seen hints of these here and there, but Beijing is where they all come together.
The view through one of the windows in the Nine Window Watchtower
Stones form the base of the wall and the towers while the top is made of brick
A horsewalk is where the wall is wide enough for at least two horses at a time
Brick crenellations going up a sloping wall
This was probably one of our favourite days on the wall. Though far from our first day in Beijing municipality, the “mini-province” that encloses Beijing, this was our first day in what you would call “recognisable” Beijing wall. It was exciting to finally see, after nearly a year, the wall that we had envisioned when we thought of this journey.
The holes at the top were used to send arrows or rocks at the enemy
There we were, walking along wall wide enough for two horses, enclosed on both sides, beautifully decorated arrow loops and rock holes still intact, and we couldn’t go two paces without stopping to take a photo.
Brick wall with a watchtower in the distance
很好的经历，希望能有机会去国外看看。
fabulous experience, hope to have a same tour to your distinguished country
Brendan and Emma:
Congratulations (in advance) of the upcoming achievement of your journey.
We were also glad to see that you had posted pictures of your Beijing Great Wall travels as this was the day that we had the good fortune of meeting you as well. I, as well as the rest of my Jayhawk family will be rooting you on as you near completion.
Best regards to you both, and it was our pleasure.
Tom Perry
KU 90
Hi Emma and Brendan….
Your mum has been updating us with your news… wow… such a great acheivement! You both must feel like the journey was NEVER going to end… but you are just so close to the end! Congratulations. We look forward to seeing you on your return! What is next on the agenda??
Rocky send you a big lick!
Best of luck for the next 20 days!
Angela and Tony Hall
Dear Emma and Brendan,
What a piece of history you are writing – or should I say walking!! a world first for an Australian! We are terribly inspired by this mammoth journey you both have undertaken and wish you all the very very best for its safe conclusion. I am so glad all your parents are planning to be there at the “finishing line” – they are so proud – justifiably so.
We look forward to your safe return to Australia where you can hang up your walking boots for a while…
With very best wishes,
David and Fiona Harris
Great to know things are warming up at last – and only 3 weeks to go. You’ve done a fantastic job keeping us so well informed all the way and I am constantly amazed at the quality of the photographs, as well as your entertaining notes on your travels and people you meet. I do believe you’ve given us all a different slant on the Chinese people and their many lifestyles, and really look forward to a complete de-brief when you finally make it back downunder. Not long to go now, and I can’t help wondering whether you will wish to spin out the final stages or, more likely, be ready to sign off at the end of a wonderful adventure as fast as you can go!
Have a great family reunion in Shanghaiguan, and we’ll all be toasting you here when we know exactly which day you expect to get there.
Much love from the Burgesses-all
Mystery; why were the bricks laid according to the contour and the supporting stones laid horizontally, independent of contour?
Making progress over such an uneven surface must be horrific, especially with a pack that wants to go somewhere else.
Don’t worry about DMG, we’ll see you when you get there.
Love, Dad
Beiwa – Welcome to the site. Hope you can make it to Australia, too, though we don’t have a Great Wall to walk on.
Tom Perry and family – We’re glad you got in touch, we were wondering if you would or not. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in China and your day on the wall. It was a hot day but there was some good walking. Go Jayhawks, and keep in touch. It was nice meeting you.
Angela, Tony and Rocky – It still feels like this journey is never going to end! We look forward to seeing you too. Maybe you can bring little Rocky down to Sydney to visit big sister Bailey.
David and Fiona – Thank you so much for your encouraging words. This journey is a lot of things to us, and we can only hope that it also means something to other people. As for hanging up our hiking boots, we’re on to our fourth pair, so these ones probably won’t even make it home!
Jenny and the Burgesses – We love the image of you guys having a toast for us. Wonder who will have the most champers
But save some for our return home, OK? It’ll be more fun to have a toast when we’re all together.
Dad – Good question about the bricks and we’ll try to address it, but as for the pack that wants to go elsewhere…it’s not only the pack!