History of the Great Wall
The Great Wall has a history of over 2,300 years. It was mainly built in the northern part of China by different dynasties as a military project to defend against invasions.
The first part of the Great Wall was built during the Warring States Period (770-221 BC). The first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC) connected the walls to secure the country’s northern border. A million workers undertook the monumental task of completing the mega-project in nine years.Most of today’s Great Wall was built or restored in a 100-year project during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to prevent invasion from further north. The Ming Great Wall crosses nine of today’s provinces and municipalities.
The end of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) also signaled the end of construction and maintenance of the Great Wall, until the Badaling section was restored by the government of the Peoples’ Republic of China, and opened to the public as a tourist attraction in 1957.
The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of walls and fortifications located in northern China, built around 500 years ago. Estimates of its length vary from 1,500 to 5,000 miles, but an archaeological survey carried out in 2012 by China’s State Administration of Cultural Heritage suggested the wall is more than double than that length.. some 13,000 miles – or 21,000km – long.
How was it built?
The majestic Great Wall was built with wisdom, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears. Families were separated, and many workers died and were interred as part of the Great Wall itself.Millions of soldiers, peasants, prisoners and pack animals transported millions of tons of bricks, stones, and soil using ropes, wood, and basket system on remote terrains ranging from parched deserts to steep mountain ridges.
The Great Wall is disappearingDue to natural erosion and human activities, more than 50 percent of the Great Wall has either already disappeared or is at a significant risk of disappearing, according to the State Council Information Office.Human factors such as excessive tourism and construction are major reasons behind this. Experts warn it is time for everyone to help preserve this world-renowned landmark. As a famous saying goes: “He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man.” Tourists from home and abroad are all welcome and are advised to help preserve the Great Wall while paying a visit to this precious historical treasure.
