The Great Wall of China is a true wonder of the world and an absolute must-see for any visitor to this wonderful country.

You'll see its image everywhere in China, yet nothing will prepare you for the thrill of laying eyes on it for the first time. Looking at its serpentine twists and turns from mountaintops for as far as the eye can see will remain one of the treasured memories of any trip to Beijing.

Its stark beauty and spectacular scale remain staggering even in our technologically advanced modern age. Like so much of China, the Great Wall offers a stunning glimpse into past millennia. If these stones could talk, what tales they could tell!

While defensive walls in China date back to the fifth century BC, the original Wall was begun around 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty (221-207BC) when separate walls were linked for the first time with the labor of hundreds of thousands of workers.

In fact there are many sections, all with a different lure and all worth seeing for different reasons. Those on a brief visit to Beijing often make a beeline for the Badaling stretch that is only some 70 kilometres northwest of the city. Restored in 1957, it's a solid, easy-to-reach section that includes a theatre, museum and assorted visitor facilities.

Equally well developed is the Mutianyu section that is also well served by tourist buses and is less than 100 kilometres from the centre of town. Also within easy reach of Beijing is the Juyongguan section that dates back to the fifth century but was extensively rebuilt during the Ming period.

For many, the true splendor of the Great Wall of China is best appreciated at Simatai and Jinshanling which lie further from the capital but boast truly spectacular backdrops. Outdoor types and walkers find the pilgrimage well worth the effort from the moment they first catch sight of the Wall rising and dipping on rugged mountain ledges here.

Looking at this section from afar, you'll come to appreciate the enormous amount of effort which went into its construction. Those in search of the definitive photographic memory of the Wall need look no further: it'll take your breath away. The Simatai section dates from the Ming Dynasty and boasts more than 130 watchtowers that supplemented its defensive nature.

They make great staging posts for anyone walking part of this section which, it must be stressed, has some very steep portions: not for the faint-hearted, but unforgettable for anyone making the effort.

And if you want to take a little of the effort out of your trip, well, it's easy to "cheat" and take advantage of a cable car which certainly takes the sweat out of reaching the top and brings you to those stunning panoramic views in a matter of minutes.

Equally rugged and unspoiled is a section of the Wall at Huanghua, where you'll also see a major reservoir.

These days, the Great Wall is all things to all people － indeed many young trendsetters enjoy nothing better than dancing the night away at one of the increasingly popular parties staged on various sections of this amazing edifice.

Beijing - The Magnificent City 2004-2005.

Hardback, 271 glorious pictures on 157 full-colour glossy pages, 235x315mm.

RMB260 / US$34.95