Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a magnificent ancient structure that dates back 2000 years if not more. The structure has withstood the changes of time and has a lot to tell about the history of China. The wall was enlisted under the UNESCO’s World Heritage sites in the year 1987. It stretches as long as 5,500 miles traversing across plateaus, mountains, grasslands and deserts; initiating from the east all the way to the west of the country. A significant part of the gigantic structure is in a state of despair, yet because of its historical and architectural significance, it attracts millions of visitors from across the globe.

Some important Great Wall specifics:

Length of the Great Wall: 5,500 miles (8,851.8 km)

Establishment time: Approximately 2000 years ago Constructed from 476 BC- 221 BC (Warring States Period)-Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

A brief history of Great Wall:

Originally, the wall was constructed during the ‘Warring States’ and ‘Spring and Autumn’ periods by three states (Qin, Zhao and Yan) in order to fortify their defense system. The construction of the structure was initiated in the said periods and was completed during the time of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). In between the wall has been through continuous repairs and extension.

Initially the walls were built separately, until Emperor Qin Shihuang of Qin Dynasty successfully joined the walls together to obstruct the Huns from invading. The final structure is what we have today as the Great Wall of China.

Important Great Wall attractions:

The great monument has several sections, which are major tourist attractions. Some of the major sections are discussed below:

Badaling Great Wall: It is one of the most important sections of the wall and a key cultural remnant of the nation, which is protected by the State Council ever since 1961. In the year 1988, it was included by UNESCO in the World Cultural Heritage Directory. It also became one of the World’s New Seven Wonders on the 7th of July in 2007.

Badaling was the first section of the Great Wall to be open to the general public. The place witnesses millions of international as well as local visitors every year. The Wall has also been visited by more than 370 celebrities and foreign leaders.

Gubeikou Great Wall: Gubeikou Great Wall is situated in an important strategic point, which cannot be accessed easily. Nested between Juyongguan Pass and Shanhaiguan Pass, approximately 62 miles away from Beijing, this fortress protects the northern entrance that leads to the capital city.

Huangyaguan Pass: Huangyaguan Pass happens to be one of the most visited destinations in Tianjin. The pass is known as the mini structure of the main wall, built on the ridge of an abrupt mountain. The structure is not only abounding with history and culture but is also blessed with beautiful natural landscape.

Simatai Great Wall: Simatai Great Wall is situated in the northeastern region of the Miyun County, in Gubeikou Town. The wall is approximately 75 miles away from Beijing and stretches over an area of three miles, connecting Wangjinglou Tower with Jinshanling Great Wall. The structure consists of 35 odd numbers of beacon towers and was built under the supervision of a Ming Dynasty general, Qi Jiguang. Simatai is the only section that still bears the original Ming Dynasty look, while most others have lost a significant percentage of their original appearance.

Some of the main attractions of this section of the Wall include:

• The Wangjing Tower
• The Heaven Bridge
• The Fairy Tower
• The Stairway to Heaven
  Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are other sections as well which are of high significance. These sections include:
• Jinshanling
• Juyongguan
• Mutianyu
• Yangguan

The Great Wall of China has many attractions; some of them have been discussed in the write up. Make sure to keep these attractions in your Great Wall tour plan, which in turn will help you make the most out of your visit.