My Fourth Wonder of the World: Walking the Great Wall of China

My Fourth Wonder of the World: Walking the Great Wall of China

Some places need no introduction.

The Great Wall of China is one of them.

Long before arriving in Beijing, I had already discovered that choosing which section to visit would not be an easy decision. Stretching for thousands of kilometers, each accessible section offers a completely different experience. Some are heavily restored and easily accessible; others invite visitors to challenge themselves on steep hikes through wilder landscapes.

After much research, I chose Mutianyu. I couldn’t have made a better decision. What many visitors don’t realize is that Mutianyu is one of the oldest and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall near Beijing. The first fortifications here date back to the Northern Qi Dynasty (6th century), but the magnificent stone wall visitors walk today was largely rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), when protecting the capital from northern invasions became a national priority. 

One of the generals responsible for transforming this section was Xu Da, one of the founding military leaders of the Ming Dynasty. Under his command, the earlier earth-and-stone fortifications evolved into a sophisticated defensive system that guarded the northern approaches to Beijing. Later, the celebrated general Qi Jiguang, famous for both his military brilliance and engineering innovations, reinforced Mutianyu with stronger granite walls and additional watchtowers, many of which still stand today. 

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As I climbed from one tower to another, I found myself imagining the thousands of soldiers who once stood watch over these same mountains. Today the atmosphere is peaceful, filled with hikers and photographers, but centuries ago these walls formed part of one of the most ambitious military defense systems ever built. Looking across the endless ridges, it becomes clear why this location was chosen. From every tower, the mountains unfold in every direction, providing an extraordinary vantage point over the surrounding valleys.

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Reaching the Wall by cable car was an experience in itself. Watching the ancient stone fortification slowly emerge above the dense green mountains immediately reminded me why this place has fascinated travelers for centuries. From above, it becomes easier to appreciate not only its immense scale, but also the strategic intelligence behind its construction as it follows the ridgelines almost effortlessly.

One of the most popular ways to descend is by the famous toboggan ride. I had every intention of trying it, but the queue was incredibly long. Instead of spending valuable time waiting, I made a different choice.

I simply kept walking.

Looking back, I don’t regret that decision for a second.

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Every additional step revealed another breathtaking panorama. I found myself paying attention to details I might otherwise have missed: the way each stone had been carefully placed, the different watchtowers punctuating the route, the impressive engineering that allowed such a monumental structure to adapt to the rugged mountain terrain, and the remarkable efforts that continue today to preserve it safely for millions of visitors.

One conversation stayed with me throughout the day. My guides, Kevin and Mike (who laughingly admitted those were their “American names” while assuring us they were very real people), shared something that changed the way I saw the Wall. They explained that climbing the Great Wall is no longer only a dream for international tourists. For many Chinese people, reaching the Wall has also become a personal milestone, a rite of passage connecting them to their own history and national identity.

In 1987, the Great Wall was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acknowledging not only its astonishing engineering but also its significance as one of humanity’s greatest collective achievements. Standing there, I understood why.

Standing there, surrounded by visitors from every generation, I understood exactly what they meant.

The Great Wall is an archaeological site and a place where history is still being lived.

At the end of the visit, I received one of the famous certificates stating that I had climbed the Great Wall. Whether it is an official recognition or simply a well-designed souvenir hardly matters.

Its value isn’t found in the paper; it’s found in my memory.

This visit also marked another personal milestone.

China became the 30th country I have visited and the fourth of the Seven Wonders of the World that I have been fortunate enough to experience in person. Each wonder has taught me something different about humanity, but few have left me feeling quite as connected to the countless generations of builders, soldiers, travelers, and dreamers who have walked these same stones.

As I looked across the endless mountains before beginning my descent, I couldn’t help but smile.

My legs were tired.

My camera was full.

But my heart was even fuller.

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And I left carrying something much greater than a certificate.

I left feeling recharged by the resilience, ingenuity, and enduring spirit of a civilization whose stories continue to shape the world.

The journey is far from over.

There are still three Wonders waiting for me.

But the Great Wall will always remind me that the most extraordinary journeys are built one step at a time.

Camila Vasconcelos