Jiayuguan - Camping site at the Great Wall

Located at the what was the western end of China is the Jiayu Pass.  Way back in the 1300's the Chinese built a huge fortress there to protect the border.  Today the fortress has become part of a large city called Jiayuguan.  The fortress and the Great Wall that extends outwards from it is the largest and most intact section of the Great Wall.  The Chinese border is now over a thousand kilometres to the west.

About seven kilometres out of the city the group found a section of the wall where camping is allowed.

The locals were happy for the group to camp in a section of the wall that is not often visited.

Quite a few sections have had regular 'touch ups' it seems but some sections are showing their age. 

I decided not to camp - a hotel in the city costs about $15 so why not have a bed and hot shower - must be getting old.