The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world.It is also one of the largest construction projects ever completed. The wall stretches for over 5,500 mi (8,851 km), and it took more than 2,000 years to build.People from all over the world come to see this impressive feat of engineering. But what many people don’t know is that the Great Wall of China isn’t just one wall. It’s a series of walls built over a period of 2,000 years. The construction of the Great Wall of China began during the Qin Dynasty under the rule of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of a united China.In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of the Great Wall of China and find out why it is such an important symbol for China. So if you’re curious about this wall, keep reading.History Of Great Wall Of ChinaOriginally built to protect China from northern invaders, this wall has been rebuilt and repaired many times over the years. Today, it’s a popular tourist destination, and it is considered a symbol of Chinese culture and history.High walls have been traditionally made in China by rulers dating back several millennia. These walls were built as a defense to keep out invaders. Even before the conception of the Great Wall of China, northern China was bordered by multiple sections of walls on defensive lines as a way of protecting border kingdoms.The origin of the Great Wall of China dates back to the Qin Dynasty, the dynasty of the first emperor of unified China, Qin Shi Huang. During his rule, the idea of a fortified long wall was proposed and approved. To create a single system, many small walls were demolished.The Great Wall of China was initially planned as a structure a little over 3,000 mi (5,000 km) long. Builders consisted of soldiers, prisoners, and commoners, and many of the workers succumbed to death during the construction of this wall. This resulted from harsh environmental conditions and tedious workloads, among other factors.The Great Wall of China failed to prove effective for its intended purpose. After the fall of the Qin Dynasty, the early walls fell into a state of neglect. By the time the Han Dynasty fell, the walls were barely cared for, and eventually, tribes invaded and overtook northern China. The Northern Wei Dynasty was one of the most influential tribes among these. During their rule, the Great Wall of China was restored and extended. This wall underwent changes and served as a military outpost for several dynasties, including the Mongol rule under Genghis Khan.Initially, the construction materials used at the northern border were rammed earth and wood. As building techniques improved and different emperors took the throne, sections of the wall were built with bricks, granite, and stone. In 1368, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty took the throne. It was during this period that the Great Wall of China was rebuilt. The Great Wall of China wasn’t of much importance to the Ming Dynasty.However, it had to be rebuilt and renovated as trade grew and security threats became imminent again. The Ming wall is what you see today as the Great Wall of China. Construction from before the Ming period is hardly visible on the modern wall. The Ming wall advanced over the years. Existing defensive walls were reinforced with innovations like guard towers and platforms. The emperor made the Great Wall of China habitable for soldiers’ families.The Great Wall of China was strategized to provide not only hefty protection from intruders but also allow necessary amenities to soldiers on duty. During the mid-17th century, Manchu emperors overtook China and established the Qing Dynasty. The importance of the Great Wall of China as a defensive landmark reduced during this period as the Manchus invaded and extended Chinese rule to inner Mongolia.Although its strategic importance lessened, the wall China built continued to be an epitome of strength and unity. An absolute masterpiece, the Great Wall of China was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.Significance Of The Great Wall Of ChinaThe Great Wall of China is one of the most important symbols of cultural heritage in modern China. The Great Wall of China displays the strength of ancient China and China’s long-standing aversion to foreign interception.In ancient China, the Great Wall of China provided a necessary security feature to protect easily fallible border towns. Combined with natural barriers like rivers and ridges, it was paramount to national security for several dynasties. The Great Wall of China is one of the most significant military projects in world history. It took the Chinese thousands of years, vast amounts of human resources, and a ton of resources to construct this wall. The wall’s architecture is a topic of discussion to this day as the impressive building techniques and materials used for its construction are studied and talked about frequently.The Great Wall of China also acted as a geographical marker for trade. Trade caravans along the Silk Road route were very vulnerable to nomadic attacks. This wall and its several towers allowed caravans and travelers a reasonable degree of protection from attacks. This was a catalyst for exporting and importing goods in the ancient Chinese economy. The Silk Road trade allowed China to develop good diplomatic relations in several international regions.Apart from strategic advantages, the Great Wall of China also has psychological significance. It was a symbol of Chinese strength and aversion to foreign tribes in the past. The modern world represents the authoritarian rule of China’s administration and the country’s intense efforts to stay unaffected by the west.Is the Great Wall Of China the longest wall in the world?With how long this enormous structure snakes around China’s northern border, you would very validly wonder if this wall is indeed the longest wall in the world.The Great Wall of China is very long indeed. This long wall measures a length of about 5,500 mi (8851 km). This wall starts in Hebei, around 200 mi (322 km) to the east of Beijing, close to the coast of the Yellow Sea. The modern Great Wall of China, which mainly consists of portions developed by the Ming Dynasty, stretches for a distance of 5,500 mi (8,851 km) from Hebei province through the northern part of the country. From Hebei, it passes through 15 Chinese provinces and trails off at the Jiayu Pass in the Gansu province.The distance from New York to Los Angeles is less than half the length of the Great Wall of China. Imagine a wall that goes from New York to Los Angeles and circles back. The Great Wall of China would be longer than that. The Guinness World Records has recognized this spectacular landmark as the longest wall in the world. According to official records, this accreditation refers to the 5,500 mi (8,851 km) of the Ming Great Wall of China. This is a combination of the mainline length of 2,150 mi (3,460 km) and additional branches and subdivisions of around 2,193 mi (3,530 km).The existing walls are not, however, the complete wall. Over the years, many sections of the Great Wall have been demolished, decomposed, or discredited as being part of the structure. If all the passes, beacon towers, and fortresses of the wall from every period in history are compiled, it measures well over 12,427 mi (20,000 km). Due to its length and proportions, the Great Wall of China has been touted as the only structure visible from space. However, space organizations have widely dismissed this claim. NASA has confirmed that the structure is visible from low Earth orbit under optimal atmospheric conditions. However, it is barely distinct from other objects.The Three Characteristics Of The Great Wall Of ChinaThe Great Wall of China is famous for many things. This incredible stone structure has a lot of interesting characteristics and trivia associated with it.The Great Wall of China is best known for being the longest wall in the world. It would take around 18 months to walk the length of this wall. It is also commonly referred to as the only work of humans visible from space. However, this is a false claim. Did you know that the 2000-year-old wall was able to withstand the test of time because of superior architecture? That’s right, sections of the wall have been built using many indigenous materials, including a mortar made of glutinous rice flour.For China, this wall is a powerful national symbol. It is a beacon of Chinese ethos, defined by unity, diligence, and bravery. The Great Wall of China is an integral part of the culture and is even included in the Chinese national anthem. Similarly, the Great Wall of China was featured in the first and fourth editions of the Renminbi (RMB), the Chinese currency.
The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world.
