The Great Wall of China

The wall was begun in the fifth century BC and continued until the sixteenth century. It stretches around 6000km across China.

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall has been referred to as “the longest cemetery on earth” because so many people died building it. Reportedly, it cost the lives of more than one million people, which is why it was actually hated until more recent times.

Just the three of us

Today, the Great Wall brings in millions and millions of visitors a year, which is at least good for Chinese tourism.

Just the two of us

A poem from the Song Dynasty states: "The wall is so tall because it is stuffed with the bones of soldiers, The wall is so deep because it is watered with the soldiers' blood."

Lions

The entrance to the Forbidden City

My blue umbrella

National Centre for Performing Arts

A magnificent building where we went to get away from the heat, described by locals as the "Giant Egg".

Mozart

Opera House

Architecture

The interior is a blend of elements, with wooden walls and a glass ceiling where the man made lake in which it "floats" can be seen.

Escalators

Tiananmen Square

Forbidden City

Although the photographs are impressive, we were a little disappointed by this major tourist attraction. Perhaps if there had been less tourists it would have been a more peaceful visit.

Forbidden City

Each time we entered into the next "complex" of the city, it looked like a smaller version of the previous one. It was like those Russian Dolls that get smaller and smaller as you open them up. Perhaps this added to the monotony of the visit.

Forbidden City

Me with my faithful blue umbrella

Guards

Bell Tower

...tango

Ricardo

Lawnmower Race

The centre...

Bicycle