Detail of the Mutianyu Great Wall, NE of Beijing, China
The Mutianyu section of the Great Wall is located 70 km NE of Beijing and is older, in better condition, and much less visited than the Badaling section of the Great Wall. It was originally built in the 6th century to defend Beijing and the Imperial Tombs. It is unusual in having merlons (crenelations for shooting) on both sides of the wall, and densely placed watch towers. It was rebuilt in 1569. This rebuilt wall is what you see now. The day I visited the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, there were record pollution levels in Beijing that extended from Beijing right up to this part of the Great Wall. With some careful processing (increasing contrast, etc.) it was possible to salvage some photos showing the closer parts of the wall clearly, and fading off into the pollution in the distance.
Size: 3400px × 2550px
Location: Mutianyu Great Wall, Huairou County, NE of Beijing, China
Photo credit: © Terry Allen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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