Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is the longest wall in the world and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This Wall of China was built by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China during the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty during 221 B.C - 206 B.C., over 2,000 years ago.

The wall is 6,400 km long which is around 4000 miles. It is stretched from Shanhai Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west. It actually demarcates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The structure is one of the greatest structures built by man using a series of stone bricks, tiles, and lime from the hills.

The steps that form the Great Wall of China are very abrupt and lofty in some areas. Climbing the Great Wall is not so easy. Mao Zedong says "You're not a real man if you haven't climbed the Great Wall". But over a period of time a promotional slogan 'real man stone' has been engraved on it.

The Great Wall of China was built mainly to protect the Chinese Empire from the Mongolians and other enemies. The earthen fortifications of this Great Wall have many gaps where weapons, smoke signals, and house troops were being stored.  Here the barracks and administrative centers are located at regular intervals. This Great Wall had the ability to communicate well to the military forces and warning the garrisons of enemy movements.

There were many Signal Towers built upon hill tops for any visibility. The Wall has many famous scenic spots and nearly 10 million of tourists visit every year from all over the country. It was made as UNESCO’s world Heritage Site in 1987.

Location

China

Historical Importance

In the period of Warring States, many extensive fortifications were constructed by the states of Qi, Yan and Zhao to defend their own borders. They were built to withstand the attack of small arms such as swords and spears and these walls were made mostly by stamping earth and gravel between board frames.

In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang conquered all opposing states and unified China and in order to prevent the resurgence of feudal lords, he removed the wall sections that divided his empire along the former state borders. But to protect the empire against external intrusions by the Xiongnu or the Turks, he ordered to build a new wall connecting the remaining fortifications along the empire's new northern frontier. As procuring building materials was difficult, local resources like stones from mountains were used.

Many of these walls were ruined during the course of period and Han, Sui, Northern and Jin dynasties repaired, rebuilt, and expanded the sections of the Great Wall.

First Great Wall - built by the Qin dynasty 221-207 BC
Second Great Wall - built by the Han dynasty 205-127 BC
Third Great Wall - built by the Jin dynasty 1200 AD
Fourth Great Wall - built by the Ming dynasty 1367-1644

Nearby Attractions

Some of the important places of interest of the Great Wall of China are as follows.
Shanghai Great Wall
Ming Great wall
Wangjinglou
Mutianyu Great Wall - Huairou District
Juyongguan Pass Great Wall - Changping, Government Seat of Changping District
Gubeikou
Badaling Great Wall - Yanqing County, 70 km from Beijing's city
Remnant of the Great Wall at Badaling - Donggou Village, Badaling Town, Yanqing County
Xiangshuihu Great Wall - Huairou District, 8 km west of Mutianyu  
Lianyunling Great Wall - Dazhenyu Village, Huairou District
Huanghuacheng Great Wall - Chengguan Town, Huairou District
Heituoshan Jiankou Great Wall - Northwest of Huairou
Bailingguan Great Wall - Toudaogou Village, Miyun County
Jinshanling Great Wall - the border between Beijing's Miyun County and Hebei's Luanping County
Simatai Great Wall - Gubeikou Town, Miyun County
Jiankou
Baimaguan Fort
Water Pass
Zhenbeitai Tower