Why I didn’t visit the Great Wall in China
Most people who visit China would include The Great Wall on their itinerary. I did consider this option which meant I would be staying in Beijing for a few days. Beijing’s population is 24 million people and polluted.
I was travelling to China on my own and I was nervous about visiting such a populated city. I am quite claustrophobic and I don’t like large crowds of people. I also had my heart set on Yangshuo and Lijiang which is a long way from Beijing.
The reason why I visited China
I inherited a small amount of money and decided to spend it on travel. I had traveled before getting married and having children, but whilst bringing up three boys we could only afford trips around New Zealand.
A film called ‘The Painted Veil’ inspired me to visit China, based on the 1925 novel by W. Somerset Maugham. Set in the 1930’s and filmed in London, Shanghai and Huangyao Ancient Town, Guangxi Province. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts were the main stars. One of the first scenes of the film featured an amazing landscape of Karst Mountains.
Below is links to posts on Yangshuo and Huangyao Ancient town where the movie was filmed.
great job on the site…I love the photos and lay-out. Nice theme!
Thank You! I pay for the theme and added some design elements to give it some colour.
Having been to China and visited the great wall i was interested to hear why you didn’t go. I loved being in Beijing and the wall is actually a fair distance out of the city and you can go visit it in three different spots some less touristy than others. I would have loved to have visited some of the more rural parts though. Oh well that’ll be for the next trip i take there.
I lived in Guangxi province over the last year and went to Yangshuo three times. I was also inspired by the Painted Veil to travel in this area. I went to the Great Wall in Beijing in 2010 and it was so packed with people that we couldn’t even move!! You made a good decision! I hope you enjoyed Yangshuo! 🙂
I know next to nothing about visiting China. Can you only visit the wall in Beijing?
Hi Lemonpath,
I am going next summer. I teach it; excited to climb it. Thanks for bringing this to last week’s Inspire Me Monday linky party.
Janice
Nice design. I mean your website. Thanks for adding me, Lemonpath.. I’ve been to a lot of places in China, including Beijing and Yangshuo. My best times in China were during those very long train trips where we met many Chinese people, chatted with them, drank with them, taught them to play Canasta and shared our food. I’m not much of a traveller these days but I would love to visit Burma.
I saw that film, it’s very good. Good luck on your travels # outside suburbia link up
You are from NZ?! Me too! although I am now living in Japan after being in the UK for 6 years!! Literally today I was just thinking about a visit to China! I have never heard of the Painted Vail but I will definitely look into it now. Found you through #Outsidesuburbia
Hi Hannah, I am originally from the UK, and have lived in NZ for a long time. Painted Veil is a great movie will lovely scenary. Have a Good Day. Debz
Beautiful location and movie! I can see why many people aren’t interested in the Great Wall when there is so much more beauty in other areas of the country. Happy Travels! #OutsideSuburbia
Thank you Elizabeth!
If you go to China again, would you consider going to the Great Wall next time?
Yes I would visit the Great Wall. If I visited China again I would be more confident. There was so many places I wanted to see, but China is a big country. I would also like to see The Terracota Army!
I visited China a long time ago in the mid-80-s when it had just opened its doors to outside visitors. It was quite a step back in time – a wonderful experience. This area you visited looks very scenic.
Very creative post and photography ~ love the current scenes of China
I agree Beijing is very polluted and the Great Wall is a big tourist trap ~ but a sight to see
Wishing you the magic and love the season, xox
artmusedog and carol
Hello, your blog is lovely. Wonderful post and beautiful images. The scenery is gorgeous.
Have a happy week ahead!
Thank You Eileen, hope you have a good week too!
The landscape is incredible, isn’t it? I followed Cathy’s travels with awe. 🙂
I love that movie!!!
You write the most genuine and authentic posts Deborah… off to download The Painted Veil for some more inspiration for my trip to China.
Hi Lyn, Thank You for the kind comments. You’ll love the movie!