RAS Weekender
Friday April 30th - Monday May 3rd, 2010
A WildWall Weekender @ The Barracks with host William Lindesay, OBE
“Wild Wall” as a term was conceived by William Lindesay in 1990: it describes a species of Great Wall claimed by nature (since its abandonment as a national defense in 1644). In the intervening three and a half centuries the fortifications have become overgrown with bushes and trees, crumbled by earth tremors and now lie as glorious ruins, or Wilderness Wall (Wild Wall for short). This three day WildWall trip, designed exclusively for Royal Asiatic Society members and friends, promises to be an extraordinary experience, affording you a unique insight into the world’s most magnificent building. You will not be a tourist or traveler but a personal guest of William Lindesay and his wife Wu Qi.
Brief Itinerary
30th April – Arrive from
1st May – Hike to
2nd May - Walk to the Y, the major division of single line of Wall into two lines (an out-and-back walk of 10 km)
3rd May – Walk along the
(All walks are undertaken at a leisurely pace. Preference is given to walking at dawn, ideally to experience sunrise and good visibility).
A second walk can be offered during the afternoon of Sunday May 2nd.
About The Barracks
The Barracks is formerly a village primary school that has been converted into a courtyard guesthouse. Located on the edge of a tiny village, amidst maize fields and at the mouth of a valley, The Barracks affords stunning views of mountain ridges and 1500-metre-high peaks -- and the most spectacular sections of Great Wall.
The Barracks has 9 bedrooms, each of which can accommodate 2/3 persons in comfort. Each room is simply and tastefully equipped with a traditional brick-built sleeping platform topped with clean mattresses and freshly-laundered bedding. Each has rural style furniture. We have four flush toilets, four showers and four outdoor washing places. For presentations we have a large common room where fine food for guests can be served. The room also functions as a library and mini-exhibition hall, adorned with photographs and maps relating to the Great Wall. A large garden provides plenty of space for sitting outdoors as well as a wooden shelter to provide protection from the sun.
About the trip
During a weekend stay (arriving Friday evening / departing Monday afternoon) we’ll make as many as four walks on the Wall. These are typically 10 km, 14 km and 12 km in length, and each take between 4 and 6 hours, allowing time for trailside mini-presentations on strategy, construction, architecture, local geography and national defence, operation and performance of the fortifications, archaeology and conservation issues. Each walk had broadly three parts – the uphill section to the Wall, along the actual Wall, and down – “back to Barracks”. Plenty of time is factored for photography.
Visiting one location on the Wall only provides a snapshot of the actual structure, which is immense and complex. Episodes from William’s unparalleled personal experience of 1,600 days and thousands of kilometres on the structure will be imparted on our guests, helping to place their visit in context. Apart from the Great Wall the countryside and air are both perfect for recharging, whether you are based in
Food
After a dawn hike what is better than return to The Barracks for a proper breakfast! We serve the classic British/American breakfast of bacon, eggs, stewed tomatoes, toast, peanut butter and jam, freshly-brewed coffee, English or Chinese tea – perfect for restoring energy levels.
For lunch we may have jiaozi (dumplings) or baozi (the larger stuffed meat and veggie buns) – said by many of our guests as the best they’ve ever tasted! For a change we may serve home made veggie soup and Chinese style savoury pancakes. Everything is freshly prepared, some of our products are home grown and organic.
Dinner is a feast of classic Chinese dishes with the cooking guidelines being no use of nasty MSG, low oil and low salt. Many dishes are vegetarian. Rice, savoury pancake and mashed potatoes (yes, it’s great with Chinese food!) are served as staples.
For drinks --- anytime, serve yourself -- we have mineral water flowing from our taps, as well as teas (Chinese, English and caffeine-free fruit infusions), coffee, hot chocolate, Coke, Sprite and locally-brewed Yanjing beer.
RAS MEMBERS: RMB 5000.00 per person
NON MEMBERS: RMB 6000.00 per person
INCLUDES:
Ground arrangements, accommodation, and all meals, snacks and refreshments. Participants will be presented with a signed author-edition of The Great Wall Revisited.
Air travel to and from
RSVP: By the latest 17th April 2010 to our enquiry desk: enquiry@royalasiaticsociety.org.cn
MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:A minimum of 16 Participants required. (Two RAS Council Members will be present on this trip)
PAYMENT: To be made in full at the RAS Weekender Lecture on the 17th April 2010 or to our enquiry desk by the latest 19th April 2010
RULES OF PARTICIPATION
Everyone who participates in the RAS Weekender WildWall is asked to read and agree to the following:
1) I agree not to hold any organizers or affiliates responsible for injuries I may sustain during the RAS Weekender WildWall
2) I agree to follow the rules and guidelines as set forth by the organizers with particular emphasis regarding personal safety and conduct.
3) I agree to inform the organizers of any medications, diet restrictions or health problems I have. (Privacy will be assured)
4) I agree to leave the group peacefully if I cannot meet the rules and guidelines as set out by the organizers and affiliates and those stated in this document.