Revelation 21:12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. (NIV)
Great Wall of China. It is the only man-made object that can be seen from space. It has a total length of over a hundred thousand “li” or (21,196 kilometers) 13,170 miles.
Located in the Yanquing District of Beijing, the Badaling section is the closest touristy section close to Beijing. It is the best-preserved section of the Ming Great Wall and a national cultural relic. Millions of people have hiked and walk it every year. Made 2,000 years ago, we walked up and up the more strenuous and less busy section. Hundreds of Chinese walk with you to visit viewpoints. Climbing this Wall on horseback seems impossible with the steepness of the stairs. The soldiers were athletes to navigate the uneven stairs that climb to the parapets.
There are trees blossoming with white and pink small flowers sprinkled across the mountains and the undulating walls go up and down into the distance. A tower on each high point guards each section of steps. The height of the wall protected their land from the Mongolians. They say that each stone in a step represents the body of someone who died building the Great Wall. It took one hour to get up to one section, and I come trained from high altitudes. Amazingly steep steps with handrails to help pull you up, and hold on to going down.
Even as we finished 6.3 miles walking, we are exhilarated to have achieved a bucket list dream.
What is on your bucket list? How are you working toward achieving your goals?
