The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China to protect against various nomadic groups. The combined length of all sections ever built is approximately 21,196 kilometers (13,171 miles), making it the longest structure ever built by humans.

Overview

Basic Facts

Common Misconceptions

• Not visible from space: Despite popular belief, the Wall is not visible from the Moon and is barely discernible from low Earth orbit
• Not a single wall: It's a network of walls built over centuries
• Not continuous: Many sections were never connected

Historical Development

Pre-Imperial Walls (7th-3rd Century BCE)

Various Chinese states built walls for defense:

• State of Chu: First walls around 7th century BCE
• State of Qi: Constructed walls in 5th century BCE
• State of Wei: Built walls along the Yellow River
• State of Zhao: Northern walls against nomads
• State of Yan: Extended walls to the northeast

Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE)

Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China and connected existing walls:

• Joined walls of Yan, Zhao, and Qin states
• Extended walls northward
• Created first "Great Wall" concept
• Employed hundreds of thousands of workers
• Many workers perished during construction
• Used rammed earth and local materials

Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)

Significant expansion occurred:

• Extended wall westward to protect Silk Road
• Total length reached approximately 10,000 km
• Built watchtowers and garrison stations
• Established beacon tower communication system
• Wall stretched into present-day Xinjiang

Later Dynasties

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

The Ming era produced the iconic wall we know today:

Reasons for Construction

• 1449: Tumu Crisis - Mongols captured Emperor Zhengtong
• Need to defend against Mongol raids
• Desire for stable northern border
• Demonstration of imperial power

Construction Features

• Used bricks and stone (not just rammed earth)
• Added architectural sophistication
• Built approximately 8,850 km of walls
• Created the wall's most famous sections
• Employed advanced engineering techniques

Key Ming Wall Features

• Guard towers: Every 500 meters
• Beacon towers: For smoke/fire signals
• Garrison towns: Along the wall
• Side walls: Perpendicular extensions
• Passes: Fortified gateways

Architecture and Engineering

Construction Materials

The Famous Brick Walls

Ming Dynasty brick construction:

• Bricks made locally in kilns
• Dimensions: approximately 37 × 15 × 9 cm
• Interior filled with rammed earth or rubble
• Outer facing of brick or stone
• Mortar included sticky rice for strength

Architectural Elements

Watchtowers

• Spaced approximately 500 meters apart
• Two stories typically
• Used for observation and signaling
• Could house soldiers and supplies
• Varied designs based on terrain

Beacon Towers

Purpose: Long-distance communication

• Higher than watchtowers
• Used smoke (day) and fire (night)
• Different signals indicated enemy numbers:
  • 1 fire = under 100 enemies
  • 2 fires = under 500
  • 3 fires = under 1,000
  • 4 fires = under 5,000
  • 5 fires = over 10,000

Passes (Gates)

Major strategic gates:

Engineering Challenges

Mountain Sections

• Followed ridge lines for tactical advantage
• Transported materials up steep slopes
• Used local stone when possible
• Created steps for soldier movement

Desert Sections

• Built walls of rammed earth and reeds
• Used tamarisk branches for binding
• Created oases for garrisons
• Extended water supply systems

Strategic Functions

Military Purpose

The wall served multiple defensive functions:

1. Barrier: Prevented cavalry raids
2. Early warning: Beacon system signaled attacks
3. Deployment: Road allowed troop movement
4. Control: Regulated border crossings
5. Logistics: Facilitated supply transport

Economic Functions

• Trade regulation: Controlled goods flowing in/out
• Taxation: Collected duties at passes
• Immigration control: Monitored population movements

Psychological Impact

• Symbol of Chinese civilization
• Demonstrated imperial power
• Marked boundary between "civilized" and "barbarian"

Major Sections Today

Badaling

• Most visited section
• 80 km northwest of Beijing
• Well-restored, accessible
• Cable car available
• Often crowded

Mutianyu

• 70 km northeast of Beijing
• Well-preserved with 23 watchtowers
• Less crowded than Badaling
• Cable car and toboggan

Jinshanling

• 130 km northeast of Beijing
• Mix of restored and original sections
• Popular for hiking and photography
• Connects to Simatai

Simatai

• 120 km northeast of Beijing
• Famous for steep sections
• Night viewing available
• Partially closed for preservation

Jiankou

• Unrestored "wild wall"
• Challenging terrain
• Dramatic photography opportunities
• Dangerous in poor conditions

Jiayuguan

• Western terminus of Ming wall
• Fort complex in desert
• Well-preserved fortress
• Museum on site

Preservation and Conservation

Current Condition

Threats

• Natural erosion: Wind, rain, earthquakes
• Human damage: Tourism wear, vandalism, theft
• Development: Construction projects
• Agriculture: Farmers removing bricks
• Climate change: Accelerating deterioration

Conservation Efforts

• 1987: UNESCO World Heritage Site designation
• 2006: Great Wall Protection Regulations enacted
• Restoration projects at key sections
• Monitoring using satellite imagery
• Volunteer preservation programs

Cultural Significance

In Chinese Culture

• Symbol of national identity
• Represents perseverance and ingenuity
• Featured on currency and stamps
• Important in literature and art
• Popular tourist destination

Myths and Legends

Meng Jiangnu

Famous folk tale:

• Woman's husband conscripted to build wall
• She brings him winter clothes
• Learns he has died during construction
• Her tears cause section of wall to collapse
• Body is recovered

Workers in the Wall

• Legend says workers buried in walls
• No archaeological evidence supports this
• Laborers did die from harsh conditions
• Burial in wall would weaken structure

In World Culture

• "Great Wall" as metaphor for barriers
• Featured in films and media
• Symbol of ancient engineering achievement
• Tourist icon representing China

Tourism

Visitor Statistics

• Approximately 10 million visitors annually
• Peak seasons: May-October
• Most visit Beijing sections
• UNESCO estimates 15-16 million total for all sites

Visiting Tips

• Best time: Spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October)
• Avoid: National holidays, especially Golden Week
• Prepare: Comfortable shoes, water, sun protection
• Consider: Less popular sections for better experience

See Also

• The Roman Empire
• The Renaissance

References

1. Waldron, A. (1990). The Great Wall of China: From History to Myth. Cambridge University Press.
2. Lovell, J. (2006). The Great Wall: China Against the World. Grove Press.
3. Lindesay, W. (2008). The Great Wall Revisited. Harvard University Press.