The Endless Serpent: A Winter Ascent of the Great Wall at Badaling
Our two-hour journey to the Badaling section of the Great Wall concluded on a cold, overcast winter afternoon. The moment we arrived, the solemn, massive structure, stark against the crisp air and muted light, instantly vindicated the drive.
The Gates of History
The immense scale of this wonder was immediately striking. It was set against the mountainous terrain it was engineered upon, specifically a ridge near Juyong Pass. The sheer feat of engineering was staggering. Before beginning our climb, we noted a modern reference point: the shuttle bus navigation sign at Badaling National Forest Park.
Climbing into the Clouds
We started our steep ascent, which immediately yielded dramatic views, starting with the rugged foundation of the Ba Da Ling Great Wall mountain. Although a cable car offered an easy alternative, we chose the true experience of walking the steps. This closer proximity allowed us to appreciate the ancient, weathered stone and the immense labor it represented.
As we climbed, the panoramic landscape unfolded. Heavy winter clouds created a dramatic backdrop for the sprawling mountain vista and the sweeping mountain range beyond.
The Endless Serpent
The Wall itself—the "Endless Serpent"—defined the most powerful imagery, relentlessly snaking across the peaks. The ancient structure and the heavy sky were inseparable, with the Great Wall of China cutting across the vast expanse beneath a cloudy sky. From the battlements, the sheer extent of the structure was humbling. It stretched far into the distance, its seemingly endless journey across the rugged mountain range captured in multiple, increasingly distant perspectives.
The City at Twilight
The cold afternoon gave way to a spectacular twilight. As we descended, the sky began its fiery transformation, the deep colors of the sunset signaling the end of the day. Turning from the historical heights, the emerging lights of the modern metropolis came into view. The full scale of the Beijing city skyline at sunset was revealed—a sea of lights against the fading blue. Even the industrial elements gained a stark grandeur, highlighted by the silhouette of a tall chimney against the blue background.
The journey to Badaling, documented through the lens of a winter afternoon, powerfully juxtaposed ancient engineering with modern life, all framed by the dramatic, soft light of a cloudy day transitioning into a vivid sunset.
Gears & Settings | Figures |
Camera | Sony A6700 |
Lens | TTArtisan 50mm F1.2 Manual |
Creative Style | ST (Standard) |
Date | 26 November 2023 |
Location | Beijing, China |
A mountain with a long wall on top of it#: 1 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 320 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | Juyong Pass#: 2 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 500 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
Badaling National Forest Park#: 3 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 320 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | A navigation sign to shuttle bus to great wall#: 4 | SS: 1/500s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
A view of a mountain of Ba Da Ling Great Wall#: 5 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 250 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
A cable car with mountains in the back#: 6 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | A closer look at the great wall#: 7 | SS: 1/1250s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
A view of a mountain with a cloudy sky#: 8 | SS: 1/400s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | A view of a mountain range with a cloudy sky#: 9 | SS: 1/1000s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
A view of the great wall#: 10 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 500 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
A cloudy sky#: 11 | SS: 1/320s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | The great wall of China#: 12 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 800 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
A view of the great wall#: 13 | SS: 1/400s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | A view of the great wall in the distance#: 14 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
A view of the great wall in the distance#: 15 | SS: 1/400s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | A view of the great wall in the distance#: 16 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 125 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
The sky at sunset#: 17 | SS: 1/500s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | The skyline of Beijing at sunset#: 18 | SS: 1/640s | ISO: 100 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
Beijing city skyline at sunset#: 19 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 160 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm | A tall chimney at sunset with blue background#: 20 | SS: 1/250s | ISO: 250 | +/-: 0.0 | FL35: 75mm |
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