The Great Wall of China
Written by Author on February 3rd, 2010The Great Wall of China was built to keep the Mongol tribes out of China.It was also built to link protection into a defense system. The Great Wall is the largest man-made monument ever built. it snaked 6400 kilometers or 4000 miles across northern China. Many people given up their lives to built the Great Wall. Qin Shi Huangdi was the first emperor of China he also order other people to built the Great Wall. The Great Wall search across the mountains of northern China to northwest of Beijing. When invaders come the soldiers who guard the Great Wall signal fires from the Wall to provide early warnings.
Where is the Great Wall located?
The Great Wall of China stretches over approximately 4,000 miles from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west. Simply put, the path of the Great Wall of China stretches from a seaport on China’s east coast to Xinjiang in China’s northwest and in between it passes through a variety of mountains, plateaus and deserts.
If you live in Beijing, you must visit the Great Wall.
Who built it?
The labor force used in the construction of the Great Wall of China was made up of three main groups: the soldiers, common people, and criminals. The soldiers were the primary workforces, while the criminals were forced into labor as punishment.
How long Did it take to build it?
The Great Wall of China was never built at one go. Initially, powerful regional kingdoms built their own walls, which were solely meant for their own defensive military requirements. The earliest known sections of the Great Wall of China were constructed in the 7th century BC. After the emergence of unified China in the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), the Great Wall of China became a collective entity. Around 1700 years after this the Great Wall of China was enlarged and enhanced.
The length of the Great Wall.
The Great Wall of China stretches over approximately 6,400 km across a variety of terrains like mountains, plateaus and desserts.
The width of the Great Wall.
The width of the Great Wall of China is different at various positions and hence ranges from 15 to 30 feet.
The height of the Great Wall.
The Great Wall of China has an average height of about 25 feet.
The purpose for which the Great Wall of China was built.
The Great Wall of China was built to serve as a site for lookout posts, as means to provide the armies a swift warning system and to create an elevated military roadway through the rugged terrain. Owing to the differences between agricultural and nomadic economies in China, the Great Wall provided a protection to the economic development and cultural progress. The Great Wall of China also safeguarded the trade routes such as the Silk Road, and facilitated safe transmission of information and transportation.
What is the Great Wall of China made of ?
In the nascent stages the Great Wall of China was mainly built from earth, stones and wood. The use of bricks was a later development. Owing to the enormous amount of quantities of raw materials required to construct the Great Wall of China, the builders usually used materials that were available easily. For example while building over the mountain ranges, the stones of the mountain were used; while in the plains earth was pounded into solid blocks to be used in construction, whereas inn the deserts, the sanded reeds and juniper tamarisks were put to use.
Travel Tips
Visiting the Great Wall is a must if you live in Beijing.
The most popular sites can be visited in one day starting from Beijing.
Badaling Great Wall and Juyongguan Great Wall are nearest Beijing, most crowded and touristy and these two sections have been heavily rebuilt to the extent that they had lost their original manner.
Mutianyu Great Wall is also close to Beijing but slightly less crowded than Badaling. It has a ski lift to get onto and off the wall and a wheeled toboggan ride down on a metal track. Fun though a bit misplaced. Alternatively, you can hike up a series of steps.
Huanghuacheng Great Wall one of the most well built sections of the Great Wall that caused the beheading of Lord Cai, the builder, for mismanagement and waste
Gubeikou Great Wall , Jinshanling Great Wall and Simatai Great Wall are a bit farther from Beijing than other sections, but the extra time it takes to get there is rewarded with a very significant reduction in crowding and tourist traps. Services are also limited, however; make sure you bring your own supply of water and extra film. The most authentic part of the wall is at Simatai; the wall here is of original construction unlike Badaling. These three locations are 80 miles northeast of Beijing.
