Great Wall Tears, Peking Duck, and Hutong Food Discoveries

The day started with a visit to a jade factory. It was one of those scheduled tour stops, and while I usually approach such things with a bit of skepticism, I found the introduction to jade quite interesting. We learned a bit about its deep cultural significance, how it’s been revered for thousands of years in China, symbolizing everything from purity and good health to prosperity. The craftsmanship involved in carving it is also quite incredible. It was all quite fascinating to hear about, though I must admit, I had absolutely no interest in making any purchases – my focus on this trip is on the experiences, not accumulating souvenirs.

After the jade factory, it was time for the main event: the Great Wall. This wasn’t my first encounter with this incredible structure; I’d walked sections of the Great Wall twice previously. On those occasions, younger and with two good legs, the emphasis for me was all about pushing myself, seeing how far I could go, how many watchtowers I could reach. This time, of course, was very different.

Being there again, even with my changed abilities, the sheer scale and ancient aura of the Great Wall are still breathtaking. You can’t help but feel the weight of history, the centuries of human effort embedded in every stone of this monumental fortification snaking across the rugged mountains. It truly is one of the wonders of the world.

It was quite an emotional moment for me today when I started to walk up this section of the Great Wall. There was that sudden, sinking realisation that I couldn’t go very far, not like I had before. That was the first time the tears came. But then, a little later on, as I took in how far I had managed, a different feeling washed over me – a quiet sense of achievement. “Hey, I’ve actually made it this far!” I thought, and that was pretty cool. That brought on a few more tears, but the happy kind.

It was also there, on the Wall, that a young man approached me. He commented on how great it was that I’d made it as far as I had, given my prosthetic leg. We chatted for a moment, and I later learned he was from Tasmania. I simply smiled and told him, “You know, you actually see a lot more when you take things slowly.” And I truly believe that; this journey is teaching me that in many ways.

After the emotional and physical exertions at the Great Wall, it was definitely time for lunch. Our group stopped in at a local restaurant, and I was thrilled to see Peking Duck featured – an opportunity I wasn’t going to miss. This isn’t just any roast duck; it’s arguably Beijing’s most iconic dish, with a rich history that some say stretches back to imperial times when it was a closely guarded delicacy of the Emperor’s court. It’s often considered a celebratory meal, renowned worldwide for its incredibly crispy, lacquered skin and the traditional ceremony of the chef expertly carving it at your table. Enjoying it, wrapped in thin pancakes with spring onions and hoisin sauce, felt like a proper and delicious immersion into Beijing’s rich culinary heritage.

With the main event of the Great Wall and a memorable lunch behind me, the rest of the afternoon was more about gentle exploration and observation. Later in the day, I took a stroll down by the riverside. As I was walking along, I noticed a couple of people kind of look at my leg. It’s something I’m getting used to. Then one man, maybe in his forties, actually came up to me. He simply asked where I was from. I told him “Australia,” and then tried my best to pronounce it the Chinese way, something like “Aodaliya.” He then asked if I needed any help, but I assured him I was fine, thanking him for his kindness. I’ve had lots of lovely offers for assistance, which is always touching.

This afternoon, with a couple of hours to kill before the evening’s activities, I tried to find a little place to sit and just enjoy the atmosphere. There was a lovely breeze blowing by, which was inviting, but finding an actual spot to sit proved remarkably difficult. There’s a noticeable absence of public seating, especially if you’re someone like me who might particularly need it. Eventually, I found a spot where a number of other people were already gathered and managed to rest for a bit, just watching the world go by.

As evening approached, it was time for the food tour I’d been anticipating, the “Beijing Hutong Walking Food and Beer Tour at Hidden Restaurants” I’d seen listed on Tripadvisor. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/AttractionProductReview-g294212-d11894570-Beijing_Hutong_Walking_Food_and_Beer_Tour_at_Hidden_Restaurants-Beijing.html Our little group for this culinary adventure was made up of 11 people in total. Besides myself, there was a friendly couple from Austria, and a lively bunch of eight others, all from Victoria, back in Australia. They were a younger crowd, mostly in their 20s and early 30s. To be honest, they often seemed more enthusiastic about the beer that was flowing than the intricacies of the food itself, but their energy was infectious, and they were great fun to be around, definitely adding to the atmosphere of the night! Our tour guide was excellent, expertly navigating us discover these ‘hidden’ local eateries and sharing insights along the way. It was a fantastic way to dive into the local food scene.