The Great Wall, Cloissone Factory and the Olympic Green

We departed Beijing to climb the Great Wall of China.  We went to Juyongguan, the same spot as last year but climbed the wall westward from the South Gate rather than eastward from the North Gate as we did last year.  This extensive section of the wall was a stronghold guarding the Juyong Pass which cuts through mountainous terrain just 37 miles from the center of Beijing.  This location has been fortified for over 2,500 years.  The climb today was more strenuous than last year; however, the weather was perfect - sunny and not too warm.  Also, it was not very crowded.

The Great Wall - Juyongguang

Our next stop was the Cloisonne factory for a brief tour and lunch.  Cloisonne is a beautiful, traditional enamel ware known as the "Blue of Jintai" in China because blue was the traditional color of the enamel and Jintai was the title of the 7th Ming Emperor during whose reign cloisonne became popular.  We were able to see some craftsmen at work prior to our meal.  Of course, there was an opportunity to shop for their beautiful artwork displayed in the adjacent factory store.

Adding Enamel to a Cloisonne Vase