Why are you interested in the Great Wall?

[Ken]

Hi All, I would like you guys and gals to post your reasons for liking the Great Wall. For example, history of China; culture;hiking ???
What made you fall in love with the Great Wall? What made you dedicate so much in researching it and mapping it out?

[Professor Thump]

Magnitude - This monolith of mankind has stood the test of time. Standing on the wall gives me inspiration. The mind goes wild with scenarios about the history and it's people. It is really hard to describe all the feelings one has if they understand the efforts and reasons behind the wall.

[andarchen]

I like Great wall due to i can see it from google earth directly , more knowlege i learned from Chinese/English forum , more i like GW .
I had fell in love GW for one year,loving of GW might be fading if GE improve its image slowly .

[PWCCA]

My father visited China a few times in the 1980s and always told us these stories about the wall which absolutely astounded us... how could a wall be that long and so old?lol. But as I grew older my interest in history grew, and my fascination with the wall grew along with it. When I was finally able to step on the wall myself I felt like my childhood caught up with me and I had made one of my ultimate accomplishments.
I now plan to explore and research every section of wall within the Beijing area and beyond and maybe one day compiling all my experiences and research in a thesis or a book... we shall see. One thing that I know for sure is that my father loved his visits to the wall and is rather envious of my experiences.

[China Darren]

The sheer scale of it. The why it was built and how. I believe we would struggle now to complete such a project. It is unique beyond comprehension. It is awe inspiring. Can't wait to trek parts of it in May.

[aliang]

I was fascinated by tales and legends of ancient world when I was a child and naturally liked read history books especially those about China and inevitably fell in love with these ancient wonders especially China's.

[Dano]

The Great Wall to me, signifies the strength of the collective powers of people. My impressions of the Wall only grew stronger when I actually saw it, from then on it has drawn me closer to understanding China. I am so glad that I have visited it before I leave this earth, I would'nt have missed this sight for anything. I want to head back when this semester ends and reconnect with my old friend, The Great Wall.

[69SHOVLHED]

i've always been fascinated by history and archeology, and the wall is right up there with Giza or Rome. since the wife is chinese, it did increase my interest in china and the more i learn, the more fascinating it becomes. if she wasn't such a miser, i'd be getting ready to go again for the lunar new year.

[Lingyu]

Thank all of you. I am very touched by you foreigners.

I like the Great Wall, because it has been bearing thousands of years of civilization in Chinese history.

[jenlewis006]

I am just in the beginnings of my love for the great wall. Right now it's obsession, infatuation & butterflies just thinking about it. I have not yet visited it, but plan to in early May for 2 days. The more I am learning the more fascinated I am. I can't wait to step foot on the wall, not just for sightseeing, but for understanding the magnitude of it all. I am enjoying learning all I can beforehand so the experience will be that much sweeter.

Sightsee not to see but to understand and explore.
-Jen