By Rebecca McNeil
There are many unique, cool and perfectly practical reasons to teach English in China, particularly in Beijing, China’s capital city. I loved my experience in Beijing and can think of many reasons why other people should live there too. But one highlight that I suppose is not entirely unique but none the less cool and historically interesting is the chance to visit the Great Wall. Teaching English in Beijing grants you access to many interesting site seeing opportunities, but the Great Wall, no pun intended, may be the greatest of them all. Here are the top 5 reasons I came up with to climb the Great Wall.
1. It’s still here!
The wall’s construction began in 403 to 201 BC (yes, BC). Although, much of it was extended and reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty, which began in circa 1368 AD, some of it still dates back to that BC date. At it’s peak the “Ming Wall” was guarded by 1 million men; reading about the history is a must before you go. When so much of Beijing is now being reconstructed, torn down and modernized, the wall is still here. The history alone makes it a worthy destination. And if you’re interested in Chinese history, you can’t miss it. Oh and it’s estimated that 2-3 million Chinese died building it. So how can you not see something people gave their lives for that’s filled with history? The answer-you can’t.
2. Beautiful Views
Did I say beautiful? I meant spectacular. Just google panoramic tour of the Great Wall of China, and you’ll see what I mean. The mountains…The greenery or the snowy landscape, depending on when you’re there, stretches on forever. No wonder it’s rated the 2nd most phenomenal man-made wonder in the world by the top travel writer Howard Hillman (2nd only to the pyramids). People are still arguing over whether it’s the one man-made structure that can be seen from space, but who cares? What’s important is what you’ll see what you climb it and that’s a beautiful view.
3. Fresh air!
Who says China’s polluted? Ok, just like any industrialized, densely populated country, it does have pollution. But the Great Wall offers an escape to that dirty air. A 4 hour bus ride outside of the city center of Beijing, The Great Wall is a breath of fresh air.
4. Space
Personal space that is. If you can handle walking a few miles, you’ll soon find yourself surrounded by only a handful of tourists and no large hoards. The more you walk the fewer people you’ll see-so just keep going! In a city of almost 12 million people (with the municipality at 17 million), it’s nice get away for a few hours from the crowds!
5. Exercise
As mentioned in the previous reason, keep walking and you’ll soon find yourself with spectacular views minus the large crowds. But in doing so, you’ll get great exercise and enjoy more fresh air. The great wall is around 4,000 miles long and stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east all the way to Lop Nur in the west and even touches the southern edge of Inner Mongolia! The wall is open to groups of tourists in section, but even those open sections are quite long, making it a healthy walking distance for anyone.
There are plenty more reasons, but I think some of those you’ll have to discover for yourself. Seeing the Great Wall of China shouldn’t be the reason to teach English in Beijing or any other Chinese city (think of the travel, lifelong friends you’ll make, the kids you’ll connect with and help, and more importantly The Food) BUT it’s certainly one of many exciting and enticing reasons to go teach English in China!
Hi Rebecca,
I am awfully envious to read your experiences in China. There are many places I want to visit and I dearly hope I have the chance to do so before my legs become too wobbly to attempt the Great Wall. Thank you for sharing.