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Mind-Blown Forever: The Great Wall of China - World Class Masterpiece
The Great Wall of China - World Class Masterpiece
There should be a better word than “great”; one that is more superlative and impactful. It’s such an understatement to say this, when in fact it’s much more than that. The Great Wall of China breaks the conventional perception of perfection. There is an undeniable level of impact that this wall has over the lives of so many people and over the course of history. Although there are pains and complexities caused by this structure, it still is fitting to acknowledge that the Great Wall of China is an absolute masterwork.
The greatness of the wall rubs in every fiber of your being, from experience to realization. You come out a better person because of the Great Wall experience. It’s for certain that the Great Wall of China will give you great stories to relive for the rest of your lives.
The least crowded area of the Great Wall allowed for travelers is at the Eastern Mountains of the Juyongguan. It’s away from all the flocking tourists and crowded cameras. The only people-filled area is at the entrance, where you have to pay a little fee to help keep the place well maintained. This is also where you’ll find touristy items for keepsake, such as miniature sculptures of the wall, ref magnets, and stuffed pandas.
Upon entering, everything seems like the travel highlight that you’re looking for. For starters, the scenic setting is just faultless. The mountain ranges are perfect gradients of auburns. You’ll see different kinds of birds mingling with diverse trees and watch towers. You’ll see how the sunlight, clouds, and fog completely envelop the area, turning the place into a myth-like fantasy.
The bricks are a great story in itself.
It’s not all bricks, actually. There are also tamped earth, wood, and other
materials enduring several dynasties of rebuilding, maintenance, and
enhancement. At first glance, it looks all raw and grey. But, as you look
closer, you see and realize how everything was meticulously stacked. You’ll
observe the interesting stains and marks with some names and scribbles. You’ll definitely
feel as if you understand and identify with the emotion and story of the place,
even if it happened thousands of years in the past. The bricks will hit you with
the forgotten past and the life-changing present that is at that moment.
Admittedly, the climb is daunting. The first steps are the best ones as you are hopeful to reach the summit swiftly. But as you progress, steps become more uneven and you notice that there are minimal safety measures around the area. But just like how the proverbial quote puts it “it’s the journey that matters, not the destination”, the climb is worth the effort. The gradual anticipation that you are closely reaching the summit is motivating enough to push further. It’s the stripping-away-of-fears process with every step of the climb that makes all the experience matter.
The summit is way-up-there kind of perfection. You’ll be at a loss for words because of the vastness of the Great Wall. The panoramic trail looks never ending. Strong and permanent as you look in front; transparent and fleeting as you look far and wide. Take pictures, examine the place, be at awe, grab some local ice creams or do some Chinese dress up. Do something spontaneous and blissful. This not only acknowledges everything, but more importantly, it solidifies your efforts and the efforts of the people who built this place. The ending will always be a lifelong fulfillment, once you visit the Great Wall of China. Just like how the gradual reach to the summit makes the experience worthwhile, the overall go-through is all out gain: gain in experience, gain in achievement, gain in learning. You gained from the Great.
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