What fascinates me about the Great Wall of China is the sheer size of it, it is the largest man-made structure in the world. If we were to contast it to American terms it is said to travel from L.A to Boston (thats 35 trips from Cork to Dublin). The wall is a symbol of China's past glories and is a major tourist destination. It has also in recent years become home to many athletes as there is now a "Great China Wall Marathon" which is ten times more challenging than the average marathon as the runners face over 5, 000 stone steps and steeps and many steep ascents and descents.
Here are some interesting facts about the Great Wall of China which you never know may pop up someday in a pub quiz;
1. While the Great Wall of China is not one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is typically included in the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World
2. During its construction, the Great Wall was called “the longest cemetery on earth” because so many people died building it. Reportedly, it cost the lives of more than one million people.
3. It is common to hear that the mortar used to bind the stones was made from human bones or that men are buried within the Great Wall to make it stronger. However, the mortar was actually made from rice flour—and no bones, human or otherwise, have ever been found in any of the Great Wall's walls
4. The Chinese invented the wheelbarrow and used it extensively in building the Great Wall.
5. The length of all Chinese defense walls built over the last 2,000 years is approximately 31,070 miles (50,000 km). Earth's circumference is 24,854 miles (40,000 km)
Walking it would be challenging but it something I hope to one day tick off my Living List !
Aisling,
ReplyDeleteI like the new positive approach to view your Blog as "A Living List" vice "A Bucket List!"
It’s like that book “1000 Places to See before You Die;” a nice volume of beautiful and must see places, but I really would rather not contemplate my mortality while doing so!
I too dream of going to China.
While the food and culture would be intriguing enough, my two “musts” would be interacting with a Panda and the Great Wall.
Outside of Chengdu are two sites managed by the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda: the Wolong National Nature Reserve and the Bifeng Gorge Base of China Panda Protection and Research Center.
Controversial for their possible impact on the Panda in the wild even as they are trying to promote conservation to tourists – the idea of the centers as a great way for people to learn more about the Panda is draw enough for me.
Less controversial but equally drawing my attention, like it has you, would be the Great Wall.
Did you know that there is an annual Great Wall Marathon?
On May 21, 2011 the next Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K on the Great Wall is scheduled.
It’s said to be a tough, beautiful, and definitely extraordinary experience:
“The 5164 steps of the Great Wall will put your physique to the test, and the breathtaking surroundings of Tianjin Province will compete with your tired muscles for attention.”
No marathoner myself, I’d take the 5K route which sounds challenging and extraordinary enough:
http://www.great-wall-marathon.com/download/5K-description.pdf
If money and vacation time were available for the trip, I’d start my 5K training today!