Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge this week is Ups and Downs of Outdoors.
Earlier this month, we walked the MuTianYu section of the Great Wall, China. This section is less travelled but more picturesque than the Baidaling section which is nearer to Bejing city. The section has 22 watch towers and 1,700 steps., with breathtaking views.
Walking the MuTianYu is physically demanding. There are many steps snaking up and down the mountain range dotted all along the wall. This picture shows a typical view of going down the steps and coming up again on the seemingly endless walls. Our reward was that we had beautiful views of the mountain, the wall and the fall foliage.
A major feat of construction. Beautiful photo. :)
Incredible, when you think of it being built 1800 years ago! Thanks for the comment, Michael
That’s a lot of ups and downs. Great shot for this week’s challenge!
Thank you!
That looks like a serious fitness challenge and yes beautiful too. You might think that after 1800 years it would need some maintenance, they must have been brilliant mathematicians to construct something with such longevity. I have my doubts about this condo we’re in and it’s only 10 years old. Ha.
Some parts of the wall were constructed more than 2200 years ago. In around 220BC, the walls were connected together and new walls built. Of course, considerable lengths of the wall were renovated / rebuilt.
Just a stunning image, well done.
Thank you Photography Journal Blog!
Lovely fall colors! I’ve been up this section as well as a neighboring crumbling one…it was tough but I was glad I did it.
Glad that you have the opportunity to see this beautiful section of the wall in person. Thank you for stopping by!
Absolutely breathtaking! Great capture for this challenge-excellent work!! =)
Thank you Jennay for the kind comment! Michael
That really is a stunning photo.
Thank you the eternal traveller!
Wow, this is amazing! Our visit to Mutianyu did not have colorful trees like these…your timing is right!
We were very lucky to have the foliage at the Great Wall and missed out on the snow storm which started the day we left Beijing!
Lucky you!
Best picture I’ve seen of the Great Wall. I love the contrast of the Fall leaves.
You are right, the photo was taken where the foliage contrast those with lighter color further away. As the picture also shows that we have to go like a yo-yo up and down the length of the wall, I have chosen this photo which I think also fits the theme of the challenge. Thanks for the kind comment!
Michael, what a great photo! I love the perspective and the way the light and the foliage contrast with the grey stone. Thanks for sharing.
You have described the picture very well. Thanks very much for the kind comment!
Fabulous photo!! Must have been amazing. If you happen to be a match for our collective, we would love to feature this and/or other photos of yours. Be in touch.
Yes, if there is a match, I would be pleased to feature my photos! Thank you, Michael
If you have been touched by mental health issues yourself or someone you know, etc. then you are a match and we would love to share your photography in our online gallery. Submission info is on the site, or e-mail me any submissions or questions. brokenlightcollective@gmail.com
Thanks for the message. So far, I have not been touched by mental health issues and have not come across anybody with this issue. I will bear your information in mind. Regards, Michael
I have rarely seen a photo of “the Wall” with such beautiful foliage colors! ~ Kat
Glad you like the photo, Kat. Many thanks, Michael
Truly breathtaking – I like this view of the Great Wall a lot! Thanks!
Thank you very much simplecherishes!
This is a very beautiful picture. I followed a tour group so went to Baidaling section instead back a decade again. I was younger then, I still find it difficult to climb those steps. Well done to you and your family!
Have been to both sections and consider the Mutianyu section more beautiful. I think one has to physically prepare for the Great Wall if long walks are intended. Regards, Michael
Love this! You’re right — it IS more scenic that what we usually see of the Great Wall! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
Hi Rusha, glad that you like the photo. I will post a bit more on Great Wall at a later date. Regards, Michael
Michael, while I know you do not participate in the awards process, I have nominated you for the “Very Inspiring Blogger” Award ~ http://travelgardeneat.com/2012/11/29/you-flatter-me-blogger-friends/ (for the “rules” :-) ) — however, whether you participate in the awards process or not, thank you for sharing and know you are appreciated! ~ Kat
Hi Kat, thanks so much for the nomination which is very much appreciated. At my age I have to consider using my time more carefully. I woud rather write a few more posts or doing other things I cherish than going through the nomination process. Best wishes & regards, Michael
At any age, one should be so wise to carefully consider how they spend their time! I enjoy sharing with others your blog, as they may enjoy it as much as I do, so I hope you do not mind that I bestow the honor anyway! Your blog is a beautiful piece of work, so I am happy you choose to spend time on more posts or pursuing other activities that may lead to more photos to share. Cheers!
You are so right. I need quite a few photos to maintain my pace of blogging and to do that I need to travel more . I am very happy to be nominated and consider it an honor. Many thanks, Michael
What an extraordinary shot of the wal emphasizing the fall colors!
Hi Carla, I must admit that this picture is dominated by the fall colors rather than emphasizing the ups and downs. Thanks for the kind comment! Michael
Hello Michael, Your subjects and photography are always MAGNIFICENT! Are the photos current as you go, or are they from your travel over the time? Your photos give me awe and joy. Thank you! :D Fae.
Hi Fae, firstly, thank you very much for your continued perusal and your kind comments. For photo challenges, I usually comb through my archive to see which are the best pictures to match the theme for the challenge. For my post on travels, I tend to post them as soon as I got back home from my travels. I rather want to enjoy my travels without having to find time to post on my blog. Regards, Michael
Thank you for your response, Michael. What is this “photo challenge” if you don’t mind telling me where to check it out. Fae.
Hi Fae, the Weekly Photo Challenge is organized by WordPress. A new topic will come out every Friday; you can subsribe to it. This week’s challenge is Reflections, see link : http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2012/11/30/reflections/
Regards, Michael
Thank you very much for the info. I will check it out! :) Fae.
I enjoy the fall colors with the Great Wall. My most recent trip there was last December and the snow was falling lightly. Struggled to get a photo to show how it snakes around and across the mountain. It reminded me that this portion of China has not always been so serene. There was a lot of fear required to go to that much effort to keep the side from getting in.
Yes, the wall was for defensive purpose on which many battles have been fought and much work has been done to renovate and re-build. Regards, Michael
I am grateful that I have not had to experience the level of fear necessary to go to the extremes that the wall represents. People so often forget that many great engineering feats were driven by a desire to do something a little simpler or to feel more secure. The Khan and others made that difficult for the Chinese for centuries. Something to be learned from remembering that we need to all just get along.
The walls protected ancient China from being invaded by “barbarians”. Even if they have conquered ancient China, they usually merged into the culture which they admired at the time.
Yes! Finally someone writes about ig markets.
Thank you :-)