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Mutianyu Great Wall

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Mutianyu Great Wall
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Mutianyu Great Wall

Part of the Great Wall of China located at Mutianyu in air pollution from Beijing

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 we visited the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, there were record pollution levels in Beijing (API - air quality index - of over 600 on the scale that tops out at 500). The pollution extended from Beijing right up to this part of the Great Wall, but was not as bad here. 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.

Judy, if I hadn't already boosted the contrast you would have seen even less than you see here, the smog was that thick.

Mutianyu Great WallBejingChinaair pollutionwatch towersmerlonscrenelationshillsforest

  • Mutianyu Great Wall
  • Mutinanyu Great Wall with air pollution
  • Mutianyu Great Wall in heavy air pollution, China
  • Detail of a watch tower on the Mutianyu Great Wall, China
  • Mutianyu Great Wall in the air pollution, China
  • Air pollution from Beijing at the Mutianyu Great Wall, China
  • Tree with dried fruit at sunset, Mutianyu, China<br /> <br /> Perhaps the only good thing that can be said about the air pollution in China is that it can result in nice orange sunsets. As we were leaving the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, I saw this tree that was covered with small balls of dried fruit (apples perhaps) that was silhouetted against the setting sun. This was the actual colour, as shot, with no manipulations (best larger).<br /> <br /> More photos of the Great Wall, including one of my personal favourites, can be seen here: <a href="http://goo.gl/pDrBRs">http://goo.gl/pDrBRs</a><br /> <br /> 29/05/14 <a href="http://www.allenfotowild.com">http://www.allenfotowild.com</a>
  • Mutianyu section of the Great Wall at sunset, China<br /> <br /> This is one of my favourite images of the Great Wall for the two simple curves of the wall anchored by the single watch tower. Also for the nice quality of the light, and the layers of ascending curves with the slopes of the mountains mimicking the curves of the wall (best larger).
  • Mutianyu Great Wall seen from inside a graffiti-filled watch tower, China<br /> <br /> It is a sad commentary on the mentality of some tourists that they feel the need to cover every inch of the plastered surface of this venerable watch tower with graffiti!
  • View through the trees to the Mutianyu Great Wall at sunset, China<br /> <br /> I used a high f-stop and a tripod to capture this peek at the Great Wall through the trees and keep the entire view field in focus.
  • View along the Mutianyu Great wall from a watch tower, China

  • kjakes1

    on December 4, 2017

    Brilliant landscape, love the Leading lines and misty background layers, excellent work!

  • jimholmquist

    on December 4, 2017

    Wonderful shot Terry and I love the POV!

  • Franks-Focus

    on December 4, 2017

    Great shot of this historic wall and a unique view also.

  • Judith Sparhawk

    on December 4, 2017

    Wonderful pic of the wall--different from what we usually see. Regarding the smog, I wondered if you had used haze reduction or just adjusting contrast. I might clear it up more, but then it wouldn't probably be as accurate a documentation of what the air is really like. Maybe a prettier but less accurate photo...hmmm. Just a thought.

  • Howard's Photography

    on December 4, 2017

    Great capture, outstanding comp!

  • Eyeshots

    on December 4, 2017

    Fantastic - would love to see this in person!

  • Lgood

    on December 3, 2017

    This is one of the best shots from a section of the Great Wall that I have ever seen. I just can't imagine how people breath in that kind of air pollution.

  • Byron Fair Photography

    on December 3, 2017

    Beautiful.

  • Bruno Suignard

    on December 3, 2017

    excellent view!!

  • Donna McCommon

    on December 3, 2017

    Now that's what you call a leading line. Fantastic shot.

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