Canucks, Kings visit Great Wall as part of China games

When you're in northern China and have an off day, you visit the Great Wall.

That's what members of the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings did, at least, between their preseason matchups in 2017 NHL China Games.

While the teams arrived at the same time, they traveled on separate buses from Beijing to the Great Wall, and took in the sights as individual groups.

"It's something you don't want to miss," Canucks head coach Travis Green said, according to Nick Cotsonika of NHL.com. "It's an experience worth missing a practice, for sure."

"You hear about it and you see pictures, but it really doesn't do it justice until you get a chance to actually see it in person," Vancouver forward Sam Gagner said. "We're all pretty excited to be here. It's pretty amazing."

He admitted it was unusual but fun to share part of the excursion with the the Canucks' opponents.

"Last night we're in battle, and again tomorrow, but today it's kind of everyone in it together," Gagner said. "Got a chance to talk to those guys a little bit. We're both enjoying this experience. It's been a lot of fun."

Kings captain Anze Kopitar took the photo above, but Dustin Brown was content to soak it in hands-free.

"I always find if you are looking at the phone all the time and taking pictures, you don't really see it," he said.

A few lucky fans also got to take advantage of the players' presence.

(Photo courtesy: Getty)

The two teams play again at Wukesong Arena on Saturday at 3:30 a.m. ET.