Great Wall of China, a photo from Beijing, North

Photographer's Note

This photograph of the Great Wall of China was taken at Simatai, about 110 km north of Beijing. There are not the usual hordes of tourists at Simatai, as there are at other sections of the Great Wall, because the climbs to the wall in this area can be quite strenuous, and the fact that it is a 6 hour round trip from Beijing.

It is worth making the effort to go to Simatai because this section of the Great Wall is in its original state and provides a much more 𩹨eal� Great Wall experience.

The Badaling section of the Great Wall that is most popular with day trippers from Beijing (about an hour to the west) is reconstructed and has a Disneyland feel about it. At Simatai you can sit alone on the Great Wall and take in magnificent views like this. In this shot I tried to capture the isolation of this mountainous region and the grandeur of the Great Wall as it hugs the mountain ridges for as far as the eye can see. It is a breathtaking sight to which no photograph can really do justice.

mitternacht, capthaddock, Nina, riclopes, bryn, jamie1234545, anney, i9l2y1m8a8t3 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Cruize (0) 2005-06-12 5:23

Nice shot David - it was definitely worth the 6 hr trip. Nice perspective and I like the distant haze.

yesterday (9833) 2005-06-12 6:04 [Comment]

Show Comment

rushandy (214) 2005-06-18 21:26

WOW!

This is a fantastic shot. You did a great job of clearing it up too, I went there myself and I remembered it being quite hazy in the afternoon. You are spot on about the section of the wall there as well. There are a few hawkers but they never really bother me anyway. I don't remember it being quite as green! I'll have to dig a couple of my old photos out and have a look.

capthaddock (28790) 2005-06-22 9:55

Hi David - fantastic view, the jagged outine of the ridge, and the uninterrupted wall over velvety green hills look beautiful.

jocasta007 (0) 2005-10-07 9:39

what a fantastic vantage point this is.the slight haze in the photo also adds depth to the image. a good job well done!

venus (748) 2005-10-09 18:15

Nice perspective. I like also that everything is green around. Usually it's not. Nice photo.
Thanks for sharing.

Nina (5099) 2005-12-08 8:58

This does look amazing David!I thought it was an aerial view.

riclopes (35577) 2006-01-19 9:56

Hi David,
Today, I decided to make a careful tour through your gallery. You have wonderful photos. This one captured my eye, as I love shots from above and the great wall fascinates me! I think I'll go there this summer, so your note information is quite good for me. Indeed, it is a very impressive view and the mountains shapes are gorgeous! Very good composition with the great wall going through the top of the Mountains range.
I can愒 wait for some nice trekings in there. Congratulations and thanks a lot for sharing!
Cheers,
Ricardo

silycat (611) 2007-01-10 15:50

Hi!
This photo has been chosen by me to represent country in which it was taken in thema "Around the world", it is a very good and sucesful capture and excellent photo!

colinbrenchley (6431) 2007-04-08 4:24

David - Great view of the Great Wall - I've been to the Badaling section which is,as you say, well restored. But you cannot see it snaking across the hills like you have captured in this image
Regards Colin

zmfactor (294) 2007-07-16 11:22 [Comment]

Show Comment +

goutero (1313) 2009-02-26 8:31

Mountains and Wall - lovely picture