This week was China's hottest week in the century. And we decided to visit the great wall. We arranged a minivan to Mutianyu, a less popular touristspot than Badaling which is closer to Beijing. In Mutianya we left had to leave the van at a little market from where we could climb the mountain. We could used the elevator, but that would have been no fun. So we walked up the stairway... a very, very long stairway. With the 40°C sun burning on our heads we reached the top of the stairs and climbed the final few meters on top of the Great Wall. It was a beautiful site, but we had more attention for the lady selling water. After drinking a bottle of water we started walking over the wall. On the left side, towards the elevator the wall was restorated the right side was in a bad shape. So we went to the right; we wanted to experience the 'real' wall. And I must say, it's very impressive. The giant wall zigzags over the dry mountaintops of a very rough landscape. Every few hundred meters there is a little watchtower on top of the wall. From these towers the view is even more impressive. After a while we found a bit of shadow and we decided to sit down; enjoying this great structure and this great land.