Great Wall

The highlight and the main event of the day was climbing the Great Wall at the un-restored section of the wall, Simatai. The trip up to the Wall was just as tiring as some of the sections of the Wall itself. Of course once we all got up there, there was a sign that said no climbing, which was to everyone’s amusement. There were steep inclines and downgrades between the thirty towers we traveled through. On portions there was only broken rocks with no official steps or there would be portions where I had

little traction. Some of the towers we could not go into because of a huge vertical drop off on the other side. Even though the trip took five hours, every minute of the hike was worth it! The scenery and the view were amazing as mountain peaks and hills spread out around the Wall. It is unbelievable to think about how many men slaved over the construction of the Wall and how many fought behind it to protect China during battles such as those against the Manchu and the Mongols. The towers often lit fires to send a signal to other soldiers guarding the Wall. Early ideas and construction of the Wall began back in the fifth century BC and 221 BC, but the modern Wall that is thought of today started being built in the 1440’s in the Ming dynasty. It is one thing to see the Wall from a distance and to be in awe of it, and then another to actually climb it and be part of its history. I have never truly seen anything like it nor can anything ever compare; it is understandable why it is one of the marvels of the world. From the points on top of the Wall, I almost felt like I was on top of the world myself. Words really cannot describe what I felt, how I feel, or what the Wall looks like. I cannot even fully tell family and friends about its magnificence because nothing I say could possibly do it justice nor can pictures tell the whole story.

Tiananmen Square

This morning we went to Tiananmen Square where there were different nationalities present. The area was built in 1651 and then enlarged in 1958, I believe. Of course this is also the site of the infamous protests of June 4, 1989 where students opposed communist ruling and control; many deaths occurred from this incident. A tall, thick obelisk, built from 1952 to 1958, stands in the center of everything as tribute to the People’s Republic of China. Also in Tiananmen Square, there were at least five cameras on each lamp post to survey the area. There were also two statues that displayed the peasant’s during the Cultural Revolution. Museums on China's history were also in the plaza. From here several gateways led into the Forbidden City; most of the buildings inside the city seemed to be originally built during the 1420’s and then rebuilt at a later date. It served as an imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Emperors often stayed to host banquets in the buildings or used them as a closet. At one location a story was told about an emperor who hid a box with the name of his successor to the position, and it was not to be found until the death of the current man.

Summer Palace

As a group we went to the Summer Palace, also called Clear Ripples, that was built in 1750. However, it was destroyed by the Anglo-French and rebuilt in 1888. Seventy-five percent of the property is covered by water. The palace had a pagoda, a walkway called the long corridor, and also a giant marble boat. Above the main area there were paths and staircases that led up a hill with grassy areas and more pavilions. Kim, Roy, Maria, and I found a spot to sit, talk, and relax for some time while playing the question game; simply someone asks a question to the group and others have the choice to answer it or not. The time on the hill was enjoyable for two reasons; first, it was away from all the people and commotion and second because we escaped a Chinese boy, Michael, who had been following us for a long time trying to talk to us in English and tell us about the history of the palace. Michael Jackson’s brother, as he once referred to himself, was eager to be around us, but we were annoyed by his presence.

The University of Akron Travel_Study in China Program

Every summer The University of Akron sponsors a Travel/Study to China Trip. we generally visit four cities in China: Shanghai, Kaifeng, Xi'an, and Beijing.

If you are interested in traveling with us one of these years talk to Dr. David Ayers at the Office of International Programs at The University of Akron.