More than 24 centuries in the making, the amazing Great Wall of China stands as a testament to perseverance and persistence in a country that was determined to protect its people and natural resources. Stretching for 4,163 miles across China, running east to west, construction of the Great Wall is believed to have begun sometime during the 6th or 7th centuries BC and the last bits and pieces were added between the 14th and 17th centuries AD. That means much of the wall has already been standing for more than 2,000 years and, while it certainly shows its decay and in some spots has disintegrated or disappeared altogether, it remains one of the world’s most spectacular feats of engineering. One of the 7 New Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Construction of the Great Wall of China began when three Chinese states – Qi, Yan, and Zhou – decided to build fortifications to protect their borders. The walls, however, weren’t what we would consider strong by today’s standards. They were built of earth and gravel between board frames, meant to withstand attacks by spears, swords, and other small arms that were used by warring factions of that era. By 221 BC, however, Qin Shi Huang had conquered all opposing states and established the Qin Dynasty, unifying all of China. Old sections of the wall were removed and Qin ordered new walls built to protect the northern portion of the country. Various materials were used depending on availability. Much of that wall is also gone, though some repairs and expansions were made during the Han, Sui, Northern and Jin dynasties. During the Ming Dynasty in the 15th century, the concept of building an expansive wall was once again revived. This time, sturdier materials like brick and stone were available and the walls were able to stave off Mongol attacks. Sections near Beijing, the Ming capital, were greatly fortified. In the 17th century, the wall served to protect the empire against the Manchu invasions, but the Manchus were able to cross the Great Wall in 1644 with the help of a corrupt border guard. They quickly seized the capital and the Qing Dynasty began. At this point, work on the wall ceased.
Because the Great Wall is so old, many sections are in serious disrepair. Most often, tourists visit parts of the wall located near Beijing, where it has been best preserved. Of particular note is the Juyongguan Pass section, known as Badaling, which is about 26 feet high and 17 feet wide. South East of Jinshanling, is the Mutianyu Great Wall, a breathtaking section that winds through beautiful mountains and is popular with tourists. As you traverse the wall, you’ll come to an occasional watch tower, many of which are still intact. The watch towers were used to store weapons, house troops, and send smoke signals. Barracks and other administrative centers can also be found at occasional intervals. Many believe that the Great Wall of China, being the largest man-made structure in the world, is visible from the moon. Most experts, however, disagree, noting that perhaps it can be viewed from near-Earth orbit if conditions are right, but not from as far away as the moon.
