Nothing can prepare one for this awesome wonder of the world. To see this wall snaking its way across mountains, is just breath-taking. China, or at least Beijing is quite the paradox. Modern and yet ancient at the same time and, soon to host the 2008 Olympics. The purpose of the visit was to record the Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra.
Listen to them play Yao Dance with a Beijing orchestra. http://scotchproductions.com/realaudio/yaodance.ram
Farther in the video you'll get an idea of how steep the steps are that one has to climb up to go from one lookout to the next. Even these youngsters found it tough going.