Northern Views

Yanqing (Beijing)
Bashang (Hebei)

June 2016.

A final hiking expedition to Northern China was the conclusion for 37 "Gold International Award" (Duke of Edinburgh award) students. We had an amazing 10 days camping and hiking the Great Wall and exploring the grasslands near Inner Mongolia.
Despite some rather adverse conditions; thunderstorms,  cold nights, torrential rain, all students triumphed the challenges completing the gruelling expedition with  courage, determination and aplomb.  As did Grandma and Grandad!!! :-) .

Getting ready for our adventures

Group hug on the way to the "Wall".

On an unrestored section of the "Great Wall' - not the best view today :-(

What remains of a watchtower.

Camping in the wilderness - hopefully the rain will stop soon!

At last, a glimpse of clear sky.

Hiking through the Huyu nature park.

Remnants of the Great Wall

Invading what is left of the Great Wall.

And still it goes on and on and on.

Once in a life-time experience.

An old brick factory presents an ideal camping site.

Hostel between camping sites; the tent was warmer, but at least we had hot running water and delicious food :-) 

On patrol with Inspector Spragg

Bashang, near Inner Mongolia. Horses provide a far more sensible means of transport than hiking over all those hills - but not for us.

Admiring the endless horizon.

A typical village street.

And China has 1.4 billion people - we certainly did not see many on our hikes.

Sunset over another stunning camp site.

The real sunset.

Typical farming village accommodation - note the satellit dish - very sensible. 

Just admiring the view.

Two very happy chappies.

Beautiful sunrise near our campsite.

Mobile home.

Almost home!

Home at last.

Looking for a home!

Field squirrel.

Main street in Bashang.

Our final amazing view before returning to the hussle and bussle.

What we missed - what a contrast.

a different sunset over Shenzhen