How I was able to finally Climb the GREAT WALL OF CHINA?

I finally visited and climbed one of the NEW 7 WONDERS OF THE WORLD. Thank you to the AIR FORCE COMMAND COLLEGE (BEIJING, CHINA) for this remarkable JOURNEY. It was another EDUCATIONAL TOUR for the INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS programmed by the school.

After lunch or about 1pm on March 30, 2016, we boarded the bus and proceeded to the BADALING SECTION of the GREAT WALL OF CHINA. After an hour and 20 minutes of exciting trip, we finally arrived at our destination. It was a long but interesting walk to the entrance gate. We were all excited to finally have the glimpse of the famous structure. Majority were taking pictures almost every step along the way.

I used to admire the GREAT WALL just from the pictures and videos online, but today I finally stepped, walked, and climbed the amazing MAN-MADE MASTERPIECE! 

Another UNFORGETTABLE moment for me!

Another DREAM became a REALITY!

The Author at the GREAT WALL OF CHINA

GREAT WALL OF CHINA is one of the GREATEST SIGHTS and the LONGEST WALL in the WORLD.

One of the remarkable moments at the
GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Here are some of basic information about GREAT WALL OF CHINA:

The GREAT WALL OF CHINA is called "CHANGCHENG" (literally means LONG WALLS) in Chinese. It is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along east to west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian steppe. Another reason why it was built is to PROTECT SILK ROAD TRADE.

The length of entire wall is 21,196 kilometers or 13,171 miles.

Tourists from all over the world flock to witness
this amazing structure

The history of GREAT WALL has a long history more than 2,300 years ago. It was built and rebuilt in 4 different dynasty. 

During the ZHOU DYNASTY: The Pre-Warning States Period 
(770-221 BC) - The first part of the GREAT WALL was built.

During the QIN DYNASTY: (221-207 BC) - The first Emperor of Qin linked the GREAT WALL sections on China's northern border.

During the HAN DYNASTY (206 BC - 220 AD) - HAN WUDI extended the GREAT WALL west to Yumen Pass and Beyond.

During the MING DYNASTY (1368 -1644) - Hero General QI Jiguang rebuilt the Great Wall around BEIJING.

Time to take a needed rest after a memorable walk and challenging climb at the GREAT WALL

The GREAT WALL of CHINA has 8 sections: BADALING, JUYONGGUAN, HUANGHUACHENG, JIANKOU, MUTIANYU, GUBEIKOU, JINSHANLING and SIMATAI.

For this educational tour, we visited the BADALING SECTION.
The section was built during the MING DYNASTY in 1502. 

It was once served as a crucial military fortification, and is now the most impressive and representative section of the striking GREAT WALL. It is located in YANQING COUNTY, about 70 kilometers (43.4 miles) from the downtown area of BEIJING. It has twsiting and turning at an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,281 feet).

Meet Stephen, a classmate and friend from UGANDA

In 1987, it was placed on the WORLD HERITAGE list of UNESCO, a list reserved for destinations considered to have outstanding universal value.

The recommended number of hours of visit to the BADALING SECTION is for from 2 to 3. Be sure that you are in good physical condition during the climb to the GREAT WALL because it is certainly a challenging climb.   

HOW TO REACH THE BADALING SECTION OF THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA? 

There are several ways to reach BADALING:

1. From downtown BEIJING near the DESHENGMEN SUBWAY STATION, take BUS ROUTE 877, 919, 880 to BADALING.

2. Take a tourist bus from TIAN AN MEN to BADALING.

3. Take BULLET TRAIN from the BEIJING NORTH RAILWAY STATION to BADALING.

4. TAXI.

How much does it cost?

For BADALING: 
Entrance fee from November 1 to March 31 is RMB 40 per person (about 7 US Dollars) or 280 Pesos.

Entrance fee from April 1 to October 31 is RMB 45 per person.

The travel time from downtown BEIJING to BADALING is 1 to 1 and a half hours.

THANK YOU LORD FOR THIS WONDERFUL JOURNEY IN LIFE!

"VISITA IGLESIA" IN BEIJING: My First in a Foreign Land

The seven Churches visitation or "VISITA IGLESIA" is an ancient Pious Roman Catholic Lenten Tradition to visit seven churches on the evening of Holy Thursday.

However, there are only four Catholic Churches in BEIJING. They are the North, the East, the West, and the South Cathedrals.

Since we were still having class last Holy Thursday and we are not allowed to go out very late at night, I decided to do my own version of the VISITA IGLESIA in BEIJING on EASTER SUNDAY.

Everything started with a PLAN. 

On Saturday evening, I plotted my FLIGHT PLAN just like the night before a flight mission.

Inside the BEIJING SUBWAY TRAIN

But this time, I only need to use the BEIJING SUBWAY MAP and to review my blogs about the four Catholic Churches in Beijing. Actually, I already visited these churches last year during the first semester of the course.

The SUBWAY TRAIN is the most convenient, fastest, and economical means of transportation that paved the way for me to be able to visit all the four Catholic Churches in BEIJING within 5 hours.

BEIJING SUBWAY MAP

Since 3 of the 4 Churches are located along SUBWAY LINE 4, I plotted my itinerary by first visiting the nearest church in line 4 which is the WEST CATHEDRAL. It is located near the GATE "D" of the XINJIEKOU Subway Station. Upon exit, I turned left then followed the road then after about 100 meters, the towering structure with CROSS on the left side of the road unfolded.

When I arrived at about 9:15am, there was an ongoing mass, but in Chinese language. The church is beaming with churchgoers.

WEST CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

After thanking the Almighty for my wonderful Journey and praying for my safety for the rest of my stay in China, I went back to the SUBWAY STATION where I alighted then proceeded to my next destination which is located just two subway stations away.

The nearest SUBWAY STATION to the NORTH CATHEDRAL is the XISI  (Subway Line 4) at the GATE "D". Although there is a walking distance of about 500 meters, however, considering the noble destination and the magnificent design of the NORTH CATHEDRAL are already more than enough to inspire me to go on with the journey.

After the exit at said subway station, I walked towards South, then crossed the street, then turned left then took a long walk, then crossed the first street then turned left at the second street, then the majestic view of the NORTH CATHEDRAL finally revealed. 

NORTH CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

NORTH CATHEDRAL is the LARGEST among the 4 Catholic Churches in BEIJING.

At XISI SUBWAY STATION

After staying for about 15 minutes inside the NORTH CATHEDRAL which was fully-packed with churchgoers attending mass in Chinese, I went back to XISI SUBWAY STATION, then proceeded to my next destination.

After only three subway stations, I arrived at the XUANWUMEN SUBWAY STATION then proceeded to GATE "B1" to visit the SOUTH CATHEDRAL, the OLDEST CATHOLIC CHURCH in BEIJING.

SOUTH CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

This Church has the most number of people among the four Churches that I visited that day.

The CROWDED COMPOUND of the SOUTH CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

After doing the same rituals in the 2 Churches, I proceeded to my next destination. This time, there is a need for me to transfer subway lines twice to reach the EASTERN CATHEDRAL.
What I appreciated very much about the SUBWAY stations in BEIJING is the system of connectivity. You don't have to go out of the station to access another subway line. You just need to look for the signage that will direct you to transfer to another subway line.

TRANSFER LANE from
SUBWAY LINE 2 to LINE 5

From LINE 4, I transferred to LINE 2 then again transferred to LINE 5 because the EASTERN CATHEDRAL is located near DENSHIKOU SUBWAY STATION along LINE 5. Then I made an exit at GATE "A" then turned left and immediately I spotted the "BAISHU HUTONG" then walked straight along the said Hutong, then I found the EASTERN CATHEDRAL at left side of its endpoint . (HUTONG is a narrow road or "eskinita".)

BEIJING SUBWAY MAP is located in every
SUBWAY STATION in BEIJING

There was also an ongoing mass when I arrived, which is fortunately in ENGLISH. The church was also full of churchgoers, majority of them are FOREIGNERS like me. It was not surprising because the Church is along WANGFUJING STREET, the largest PEDESTRIAN LANE in BEIJING where numerous SHOPPING MALLS and OPEN MARKETS are located. Exotic food like fried scorpion and starfish can be found along the WANGFUJING SNACK STREET.

EASTERN CATHEDRAL in BEIJING

After successfully accomplishing my NOBLE MISSION this EASTER SUNDAY, I headed back to where I started my JOURNEY for the day, at the COMFORT of my "HOME" in BEIJING at the Department of International Students building at Air Force Command College in Haidian District also in Beijing.

A  FULLY-LOADED MEAL after the
"VISITA IGLESIA"

I can be your TOUR GUIDE when you visit BEIJING especially in visiting the 4 Catholic Churches.

"BEIJING" simply means "NORTH CAPITAL"

GOD BLESS OUR JOURNEY IN LIFE...

How Remarkable is the Journey at the South China Region?

It was our second scheduled educational trip to other parts of CHINA while taking up the Command and Staff Course in Beijing, the Capital city. 

The first educational tour was held at the EAST CHINA REGION last November for 10 days.  It includes tour to the 5 cities: NANJING, YANGZHOU, HANGZHOU, JINXING, and SHANGHAI.

This time, we visited 3 cities in the SOUTH CHINA REGION: 

CHANGSHA in HUNAN PROVINCE; 

GUANGZHOU and 

SHENZHEN in GUANGDONG PROVINCE.

HONGKONG City is just a bridge away from SHENZHEN. However, immigration office separates the two places. There is a need to present the PASSPORT with VISA before crossing the bridge.

It was another exciting trip for all of us.

On January 9 of 2016 at 0845H, we headed towards BEIJING WEST RAILWAY STATION.

At 1000H, we were inside the HIGHSPEED TRAIN bound for CHANGSHA CITY.

At Hunan Silk Museum. I was amazed by the artistry and creativity. The process of how they are crafting masterpieces is even more inspiring.

After more than 5 hours of travel of about 300 kilometers per hour speed, we arrived at the CHANGSHA SOUTH RAILWAY STATION.

Buses were waiting for us at the said station. After boarding the bus, we proceeded to our hotel rooms and enjoy the sumptuous dinner afterwards. After diner, we strolled within the nearby places.

Hunan Silk Museum. The weavers at work!

The following day, January 10, 2016 (Sunday) at 0730H, after breakfast we headed for SHAO SHAN CITY by bus to visit the COMRADE MAO ZEDONG'S former Residential House and Memorial Museum.

After lunch, we headed to the YU LU ACADEMY and donated some sports equipment to the children.

The artists at work!

The following day, January 11, 2016 (Monday), after breakfast we proceeded to the Number 3 Campus, National Defense University of Science and Technology also located in Changsha City.

Then after lunch, we visited the Hunan Silk Museum.

The following day, January 12, 2016 (Tuesday), after breakfast we checked out from the Hotel in Changsha then headed to the Changsha South Railway Station to visit another city, GUANGZHOU, the capital of GUANGDONG Province. We had our lunch during the trip inside the high speed train.

We arrived at Guangzhou after 3 hours travel.

Then we directly proceeded to the CHEN FAMILY'S ANCESTRAL TEMPLE.

Then proceeded to the HOTEL to check in.

After dinner, we proceeded to the PEARL RIVER for the BOAT CRUISE.

The following day, January 13, 2016 (Wednesday), after breakfast we proceeded to the 1911 Revolution Museum.

During the afternoon, we went to a shopping area in Guangzhou.

The following day, January 14, 2016 (Thursday), we went to the FLOWER CITY SQUARE.

After lunch, we checked out from the hotel and proceeded to SHENZHEN CITY, the adjacent city to the  South of GUANGZHOU. This time we traveled by bus for 2 hours.

We checked in at a hotel in SHENZHEN then had dinner.

The following day, January 15, 2016 (Friday), we proceeded to the SHENZHEN ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY, CSA and CHINA-CANADA-REPUBLIC OF KOREA INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE FOSTERING CENTER.

After lunch, we proceeded to the CHINA'S CULTURAL THEME PARK or the "MINI CHINA" PARK where the miniature of all the important landmarks and tourist spots in China including GREAT WALL, TIANANMEN SQUARE among others. The place is similar to "BEIJING WORLD PARK."

We watched a CULTURAL SHOW (indoor) after the windshield tour, then had dinner, then watched another CULTURAL SHOW (outdoor). An extensive and extended day for all of us showcasing the best of SOUTH CHINA REGION.

The following day, January 16, 2016 (Saturday), we visited the SHENZHEN CITY MUSEUM and the LOTUS FLOWER PARK.

It was another FRUITFUL JOURNEY. Looking for the next TRIP in other parts of CHINA!!!