The Great Wall of China Overview
The Great Wall of China is one of the most significant ancient structures in the world that remains today. It marks an era of imperialism and ancient bow and arrow horseback warfare.
For over two thousand years, emperors throughout Chinese history built, modified, strengthened, extended the wall – believing it to be a part of an essential military strategy to defend and protect the empire against nomads outside of northern China – where the country was most vulnerable to intrusion.
What is the Great Wall of China?
The Great of Wall of China is a collection of walls that was built between approximately 500 BC – 1600 AD. The wall was constructed using local material, mainly earth, dirt, gravel, wood, bricks, and stone. However, the Great Wall of China is not just a wall, other military defensive structures were constructed along the wall or as a part of the wall. Forts, passes, watch-towers are commonly found to aid communication, to house auxiliary soldiers, and to store food and weapons.
Where is the Great Wall of China?
The Great Wall stretches thousands of miles in northern China from the eastern sea coast (Shanghaiguan Pass) to Lop Lake in the west. Therefore, there is not one single site to visit the Great Wall, but various sites and sections of the Great Wall that visitors could choose to explore. A few sections further down, we discuss the “Current Notable Sites of the Great Wall of China” to help you decide which part of the Great Wall you may be most interested in exploring.
The Great Wall of China
Why was the Great Wall of China Built?
Geographically, China is bounded on the East, West, and South by great natural barriers (on East and South – by sea, and on the West – by the Himalayan mountainous region), whereas the North lacks natural barrier – leaving it especially susceptible to invasion. Emperors from almost all major dynasties repeatedly experienced the greatest intrusion threats from the North, thus promoting them to construct and maintain the wall over history.
How Long is the Great Wall of China?
As a collective whole, the Great Wall of China supposedly totals to over 50,000 km if you add up all the Great Wall ever constructed over the 2000+ year period. That’s long enough wrap around the Earth a few times. Proportionally, a small percentage of what was built remains – a ‘humble’ 8,851 kilometers ( or 5,500 miles) in total length, which consists of approximately 70% actual wall and 30% natural barrier such as hills and mountains. It is by far the longest man-made structure in the world.
How Tall and How wide is the Great Wall of China?
The average Great Wall height is 6-7 meters (20-23 feet) with some places reaching 14 meters (46 feet) tall. Generally, steeper hill areas required shorter walls than flatter areas and more strategically significant spots required higher walls than less important spots.
The average Great Wall width is between 4-5 meters (13-16 feet). Width generally varied less than height. Archaeologists believe that the Great Wall was built to be wide enough to accomodate two horse carriages side-by-side.
Current Notable Sites of the Great Wall of China
Of what remains, the Great Wall of China that we see today was mostly constructed during the Ming Dynasty from 1350AD to 1600AD. Unless otherwise stated, you can assume the Great Wall of China that you see was built during that era.
Badaling (八达岭长城) (aka the North Pass of Juyongguan 居庸关) – Located approximately 70km (43 miles) Northwest of Beijing in Yangqing (延庆) County. This is the most popular Great Wall site and is the section of the Great Wall where most tourists visit largely due to it’s proximity to Beijing and its extensive collection of various structures, such as forts, watchtowers, etc. This section of the Great Wall is one of the best representation of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Due to its popularity, it is also more touristy and the majority of site has been heavily renovated.
Mutianyu(慕田峪长城) – Like Badaling, this site is located close to Beijing as well – at about 45 miles North. It is connected to Juyongguan to the west and Gubeikou to the East. This section of the Great Wall is responsible for protecting the City of Beijing more so than any other sections. Due to its geographic significance, it’s especially strong amongst other unique features. There is a cable cart that takes visitors up to the Great Wall.
Simatai(司马台长城) – This section of the Great Wall is located approximately 120km from Beijing. Known for its steepness and clever strategic construction. It stretches 5.4km in length with 35 watchtowers. This is also the only section of the Great Wall that had preserved its original construction from the Ming Dynasty. Some believe this is the best section of the Great Wall of China. Please note that Simatai section is currently under renovation – visitors are prohibited from entering.
Gubeikou(古北口长城) – This section of the Great Wall is unique in that in addition to the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, you can also see remains of North Qi Dynasty (550AD – 557AD) Great Wall. The North Qi Dynasty wall was kept and enhanced during the Ming Dynasty in 1389AD. Due to its strategic location, The Ming Dynasty portion at Gubeikou is also one of the strongest and the grandest sections of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.
Jiankou(箭扣长城) – One of the most picturesque section of the Great Wall of China due to its steep hills and sharp turns. Located just 10 kilomesters west of Mutianyu Great Wall, the steepest hills are near 80 degrees, climb with caution.
Jinshanling(金山岭长城) – Approximately 140km from Beijing, this is one of the best preserved sections of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. Known for the variety and the density of its defensive structures – various enemy watchtowers, barriers, and platforms. The 10.5km section is considered one of the best display of the Great Wall’s defensive military function. One of the best Great Wall of China hikes is from Jinshanling to Simatai – it’s approximately 10 km and takes about 4 hours.
Shanhaiguan(山海关长城) – The eastern end of the Great Wall that connects the Wall all the way into the sea.
Jiayuguan(嘉峪关长城) – the western end of of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall of China. This was also an important stop on the Silk Road.
Great Wall of China Facts
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