With this background, we began to hike up the steep steps of the wall with a newfound appreciation for the delicate and deliberate planning and construction that made such a breathtaking landmark possible. Along the way, we recreated some of the photos taken by the original table tennis team back in 1971. We made it all the way to the top of the tower, greeted by a terrific view of the surrounding mountainous landscape dotted with the snaking paths. After the hike, we got lunch followed by some local popsicles, a must have in Beijing, even in the freezing cold!
Exploring the Great Wall and Eating Local Delicacies
Essay
Exploring the Great Wall and Eating Local Delicacies
O
ur last full day in Beijing started early to go to one of the most famous and largest landmarks in China, the Great Wall. We were going to the Badaling section, the steepest and most famous section where presidents, pop stars and famous personalities often go. In the bus, we met Thomas Lindesay, an expert on the Great Wall, who has run much of the Great Wall over the span of 131 days. During the hour-long bus ride, Thomas told us more about the of the Great Wall and that it was built by over 16 dynasties and involved the efforts of millions upon millions of people.
The Great Wall of China
UVA students enjoyed Tan hu lu, a local delicacy
We stopped briefly at the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube, the buildings constructed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics before going to Hu Tong neighborhood where local shops and cafes dotted the streets. As we walked along the narrow streets, some locals came out and waved to us. We toured the Miaoying temple, where we saw everyone eating sugar coated berries and decided to join in. The tang hu lu, sugar-coated hawthorne skewers, were delicious!
Steve Mull and Allan Cheng at Beijing alumni reception
We headed back to the hotel for the final event of the day – a reception with Beijing UVA Club where we interacted with alumni and played some great table tennis. As we prepare to leave for Shanghai in the early morning, I am sure our experiences visiting a city with profound historical and cultural significance will continue to influence our perspective for the rest of the trip and perhaps even when we are back at UVA!
-- Keane Tao
