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
