The Best Vacation: Trip to China - Essay Example

Pictures do no justice to the magnitude of the Great Wall of China. As we approached the wall on our first day of hiking, I realized that it was actually much larger than I had ever anticipated. It snakes over rough terrain traversing mountains at incredibly steep inclines. I had always envisioned the path at the top of the wall to be a smooth walking surface. But, to my surprise, it actually consists of enormous steps that climb the precipitous mountains. The steps appear to have been constructed for giants, and it is extremely difficult to navigate them.

As I reached the top of a section of the wall, I had to stop and appreciate the spectacular view. When I turned to descend the way I had come, I was overcome with feelings of vertigo. What had appeared a sharp incline on the way up seemed a 90-degree drop on the way down. My initial instinct was to climb down backward in order to placate my fears. But, I did not want to seem foolish, so I simply sat down every few steps and took in the magnificent scenery. The soldiers that had to scale those menacing steps day after day to man the watchtowers must have been a fearsome crew.

After visiting the Great Wall of China, the architectural wonders remain a mystery to me. Somehow, the engineering feats of the twentieth century pale in comparison to the ancient construction of the Great Wall of China. Though I knew the Great Wall would be a huge structure, I never imagined that it would be so wide. Walking in the clouds along with a towering highway thousands of years old is an experience that I will never forget. The second day of our adventure, we visited the Great Wall near Beijing.

There were several tourists and vendors along the route and many different languages filled the air. After departing the Great Wall, we ate a traditional Chinese lunch with chopsticks and drove the short distance to the Ming Tombs nearby. These ancient tombs mark the resting place of thirteen dynasty emperors. Only one of the Ming tombs has been unearthed. The rest of the tombs have remained untouched for centuries. The peaceful atmosphere at the Ming Tombs was a welcome contrast to the sometimes-noisy tourists at the Great Wall.

Our visit to the tombs was a nice ending to our Beijing adventure. When reflecting on a favorite vacation, most people recall trips to popular beaches, tropical resorts, or famous commercial tourist attractions. But, I have always possessed a great appreciation for history and architecture. And, I am always impressed by the structures ancient people were able to erect without the aid of modern technologies we take for granted today. I enjoy hiking, fresh air, and communing with nature, so this trip was right up my alley.

And aside from the historical significance of the Great Wall of China, it is located on stunning mountaintops and makes for an incredible visual experience. I have been to many places throughout my life, but my visit to the Great Wall of China was by far the best vacation I have ever taken.