To celebrate the China-US Tourism Year, 1,000 tourists from the United States hiked on Friday on the Great Wall's Jinshanling section in Hebei province - one of the best-preserved sections of the wall.

Patricia Carmen, 74, from New York City, said it was her first trip to the Great Wall, as well as to China.

"The trip was amazing, even though I couldn't complete the climb and reach the top of the wall," said Carmen. "I am still happy to be here."