Beijing Day 5

07.12.08

THE GREAT WALL – MU TIAN YU

Chairman Mao once said, “If you haven’t been to the Great Wall, you’re not a true Chinese.”

We decided to go to the Mu Tian Yu location at the Great Wall for two reasons:
1. It’s less packed than BaDaLing
2. There’s a Starbucks at BaDaLing which is odd.

We rode the subway to Dongzhimen and asked where to get on the 916 bus. We were pretty nervous, but as it turns out the bus stop was easy to find.

We just joined in the queue.

A family photo while we wait. In addition to sunscreen, we’ve gone local and take our mushroom umbrella everywhere – rain or shine.

When the bus came, we immediately saw a problem: people not waiting in line.

Hubs (who I promise at one time was the most non-aggressive, non-confrontative, introvert ever) gently went to the front of the line and asked people to queue. (At this point the line was 200 people deep.) Other gentlemen helped Hubs and quickly we found ourselves moving forward.

Once on the 916, we had to option to pay 11rmb or swipe our subway card and pay only 4.6rmb. That’s a great savings!

Less than an hour later, the bus arrived in HuaiRou. We easily found a local who took tourists to MuTianYu for 20rmb a person – the going rate. He was very polite and allowed us to stop for the bathroom and some snacks before we arrived at MuTianYu. Once there, for 10rmb ($1.40) he agreed to wait for us and get us back to the 916 bus stop heading to Beijing.

At MuTianYu, you can hike up to the wall OR take a lift up and a sommer rodelbahn down. We went for the latter.

Schäfer enjoys the lift.

And we’re off! We had the most perfect BRIGHT BLUE sky. It was so clean and clear. The weather was toasty, but nothing as sizzling as humid Yichang.

Hey – we just started our hike and someone’s zonked already.

MuTianYu is a restored part of the wall.

In the distance, you can see unrestored parts of the wall.

Look who’s awake and ready for some milk.

All refreshed and ready to go!

When Hubs got close enough, Schäfer enjoyed touching the wall.

Once at the final and highest point of MuTianYu, we came to a part of the Great Wall that has not been restored.

Schäfer loved “hiking” with Papa.

The wall got a tad steep at points.

The view from a tower top.

Schäfer climbs the Great Wall of China!

“Wow! Rocks!”

“More Rocks!”

About 20 minutes later…Schäfer what are you eating? Rocks! Leave it to our son, to eat part of a Unesco World Heritage site.

That sums up 5 hours of hiking with a precious 26lb. addition.

After Papa zips down at Olympic record-breaking speeds, Mommy and Schäfer mo-mo down the sommer rodelbahn.

We hop in the car and then grab the 916 back to the city – without a glitch. What a memorable day.

Originally, for later in the week, we had booked a car so we could do the 4 hour Great Wall hike between JinShanLing to SiMaiTai, but after just going this one part with a 1.5 year old, we decided to call it good for now. We still hope to someday hike this part of the wall and JinKou which is more dangerous, but contains authentic parts of the wall.

Once back in Beijing, we were famished and went to Annie’s for Italian. Annie’s won Best Italian and Best Value in the 2008 that’s Beijing Reader Restaurant Awards. It was also noted as “outstanding in family-friendly restaurant” and “outstanding in pizza.”

The food was amazing (great lasagna) and Schäfer especially enjoyed the children’s play area. Ironically, as Schäfer was playing and we were hanging out – the hostess gently came and requested our table because there were people waiting. Oh my. I can’t even think of the last time someone “needed” our table. What a delight.