The Great Wall of China - introduction to Beijing (Peking) China

Great Wall of China - introduction

The Great Wall of China is maybe the most famous Chinese attraction and has become a symbol of China for everybody around the world. The Great Wall of China was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987 and it is the biggest fortification structure made by mankind. The Great Wall of China is about 6,700 km long and stretches from the East to the West of China.

Great Wall of China – history

From the V century BC until 221 BC the states of Qi, Yan and Zhao built fortifications around their territories to defend them against enemy populations. When Qin Shi Huang unified China, in 221 BC, he created a new wall on the frontiers of the new kingdom, connecting pieces of the old walls already in place. The materials used at first were earth and gravel stamped in frames. The following dynasties, Han, Sui, Northern and Jin, all used, repairing and rebuilding it, the existing Great Wall of China.

The Great Wall of China became very important strategically under the Ming Dynasty, in order to defend the Chinese territories against the Mongols, only that this time the Great Wall was stronger, as it was built with bricks and stone rather than with rammed earth.
Around 1600 the Great Wall of China was used to defend the empire against the Manchu. Works on the wall were discontinued only under Qing rule, when China incorporated Mongolia.

Great Wall of China – best preserved areas

Not all the Great Wall of China is equally well preserved; the best-preserved part of the wall can be found in the municipality of Beijing and are:

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