50 kilometers northwest from Beijing City lies the Ming Tombs - the general name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the 17 Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved. Because of its long history, palatial and integrated architecture, the site has a high cultural and historic value. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.
It was originally built only as Changling, the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di and his empresses. This is the most magnificent of the tombs and the largest. The succeeding twelve emperors had their tombs built around Changling. Only the Changling and Dingling tombs are open to the public.
Longdi Jade Factory - These are family balls, each layer represents one generation of family. These pieces are made from one piece of jade. We bought one.
We had lunch at the Yulong Friendship shop where they make Cloisonne vases made from brass. 
The Great Wall was originally built in the Spring, Autumn, and Warring States Periods as a defensive fortification by the three states: Yan, Zhao and Qin. The Great Wall went through constant extensions and repairs in later dynasties. In fact, it began as independent walls for different states when it was first built, and did not become the "Great" wall until the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in his effort to have the walls joined together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north after the unification of China.
We visited the Badaling Great Wall (section) is situated in Yanqing County, over 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Beijing. It is the most well-preserved section of the Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This section with an average altitude of over 1,000 meters (3,282 feet) is the outpost of the Juyongguan Pass. The mountain slope is very steep and the roads are tortuous. These features made it a military stronghold. Badaling Great Wall is like a strong dragon winding its way along the mountain ranges.
See how steep the wall is, we walked about 1/2 a mile. Not good on the knees for Rey.
The Great Wall was originally built in the Spring, Autumn, and Warring States Periods as a defensive fortification by the three states: Yan, Zhao and Qin. The Great Wall went through constant extensions and repairs in later dynasties. In fact, it began as independent walls for different states when it was first built, and did not become the "Great" wall until the Qin Dynasty. Emperor Qin Shihuang succeeded in his effort to have the walls joined together to fend off the invasions from the Huns in the north after the unification of China.
We visited the Badaling Great Wall (section) is situated in Yanqing County, over 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Beijing. It is the most well-preserved section of the Great Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This section with an average altitude of over 1,000 meters (3,282 feet) is the outpost of the Juyongguan Pass. The mountain slope is very steep and the roads are tortuous. These features made it a military stronghold. Badaling Great Wall is like a strong dragon winding its way along the mountain ranges.
See how steep the wall is, we walked about 1/2 a mile. Not good on the knees for Rey.
People can not get over how tall and big Rey is. They are all getting a kick of him in shorts when everyone else is in pants and wearing jackets, it has been in the 60's here.
Here is the the great dragon...see how it winds.
Here is the the great dragon...see how it winds.
2 comments:
How stinkin amazing is that wall! I envy u guys! I want to see it - the pic of u guys an the wall is great - YAY!
Your posts are great! I feel like I'm getting a history lesson. Enjoy your Journey. Can't wait to read abour your Gotcha Day! Best Wishes.
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