Written by Grace Zhang |
This article shares 20 important andĀ interesting facts about theĀ Great Wall of China to help you have a general understanding of this remarkable ancient architectural marvel. From the basic facts, interesting facts to practical facts that every traveler should know before the tour, all are included in this passage.
Read on, explore these facts, shedding light on its history, construction, cultural importance, and unique features that you may never heard before.
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- Basic Facts
- Interesting Facts
- Essential Facts Every Visitor Should Know
- FAQs about Great Walls
- Plan Your Memorable Great Wall Tour with China Xian Tour
Basic Facts about the Great Wall
1. The Construction of the Great Wall
China Great Wallās construction commenced more than two millennia ago, during the West ZhouĀ Dynasty (1064-771Ā BC). It was initially built as a defensive structure to protect China from invasions.
The Great Wall stretches from the desert in the west to the sea in the east. At its narrowest point, it is only about 40 cm, allowing only one person to walk on it, while at its widest point it reaches about 15 metres, allowing a pickup truck to pass through it.
In different places, the Great Wall has different specifications. It can stand on top of a mountain, on a cliff, or on a plain. The fact that it can be built according to the terrain and is not constrained by the landscape is one of the peculiarities of the Great Wall.
Read more:
- Why was the Great Wall of China Built
- How was the Great Wall of China Built
- When Was the Great Wall of China Built?
2. Where is the Great Wall?
The Great Wall is located in the north of China, stretching from Shanhaiguan in Bohai Bay of Hebei Province in the east to Jiayuguan in Gansu Province in the west. The Great Wall of China is situated in the north and stretches from Jiayuguan in Gansu Province to Shanhaiguan in Hebei Province’s Bohai Bay.
It is mostly found in 15 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the control of the central government, including Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shandong, Henan, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang.
3. Who Built the Great Wall of China?
The earliest history of the construction of the Great Wall can be traced back to the Western Zhou Dynasty. At that time, occasionally some northern nomads would cross over to terrorize the common inhabitants of the Central Plains. As a result, the Western Zhou Dynasty constructed numerous castles as a means of defense. These castles marked the start of the Great Wall.
Emperor Qin Shi HuangĀ was not the first to build the Great Wall. But he connected the northern walls of the vassal states he conquered.
4. The Great Wall Length and Dimensions
One of the most important Great Wall of China facts is that how long it is.
In ancient Chinese history, the Great Wall was continually lengthened and heightened and thickened. The vassal states of the Central Plains that bordered the steppe took the initiative to build it.
After unifying China and establishing the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang connected the Great Walls of Qin, Zhao and Yan vassal states. The Great Wall of the Qin, Han and early periods exceeded 10,000 kilometers, with a total length of over 21,000 kilometers.
The Ming Dynasty, the last dynasty to build the Great Wall, also reached a length of 8,851.8 kilometers. The Great Wall we see todayĀ spans 15 provinces and cities, including Gansu and Shaanxi, Henan, Hebei and Shandong, connecting almost all of China’s northern provinces,Ā traversing plains, mountains, deserts, and grasslands.
Today, the total length of the Great WallĀ the entire constructionĀ is 21,196.18 kilometresĀ (13,171 miles)Ā long.
5. The Great Wall is Not Continuous
Another fact of the Great Wall of China is that it is made up of a series of walls separated by fortifications and natural barriers, such as mountain ranges and rivers.
Today, many sections of the Great Wall in Beijing, Tianjin, and Jiayuguan, are open to visitors, such as Mutianyu, Jinshanling, Simatai, Huanghuacheng, and Badaling. Each has its own unique history and features. Some parts of them are very well preserved, some have been restored, and some others are lost in the ruins.
6. There are 13 Famous Passes along the Great Wall
The Great Wall has thirteen dangerous passes, distributed horizontally from east to west: Shanhai Pass, Huangyaguan, Juyongguan, Zijingguan, Peking Pass, Pingxingguan, Yantouguan, Yanmenguan, Niangziguan, Jianhukou Pass, Jiayuguan, Yangguan, and Yumenguan.
Most of the materials used to build the Great Wall were stone or special wood. Except for those in desert areas, they have been preserved for a long time (except for human damage).
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7. What Was the Great Wall Made of?
Next , we come to the fact of the the Great Wall construction materials, which involved a wide range of materials, including stone, brick, wood, and even compacted earth. In some sections, workers used a mixture of sticky rice flour and slaked lime as mortar.
During the Ming Dynasty, peopleĀ added a unique ingredient to the mortar to build the Wall: glutinous rice. Glutinous rice was mixed with slaked lime, sand, and water to hold the bricks in place and tie them together so tightly that weeds can’t grow in many places.
8. The Great Wall Holds Profound Historical and Cultural Significance
One of worldās 7 wonders, the Great Wall of China served as a military defensive projectĀ against invasions from nomadic tribes and foreign powers. For more than 2,000 years, it witnessed countless wars, conquests, as well as cultural exchanges, representing China’s achievements in science, engineering and architecture.
Lesser-known and Interesting Facts about the Great Wall
- The Great Wall is the longest man-made structure on Earth.
- In 1987, the Great Wall was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, for its outstanding universal value and contribution to humanityās cultural heritage.
- There are bullet holes in the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall, which is evidence of the last battle of the Great Wall.
- The Badaling Great Wall is the first part open to visitors.Ā More than 300 heads of state and dignitaries from around the world have visited Badaling.
- The Great Wall served as a communication network using smoke signals and beacon fires in ancient China.
- Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall cannot be seen from space with the naked eye. It is a common misconception that originated in the early 20th century but has been debunked by astronauts and scientific evidence.
- It is true that building the Wall required a great deal of labour and resources and the working conditions were harsh,Ā but there is no historical record of anyone being buried alive under the wall.
- The most popular Great Wall legend is about Meng Jiangnu, whose husband died building the Wall. Her weeping was so painful that part of the Wall collapsed, revealing her husband’s bones, so she buried him.
- Simatai Great Wall is illuminated at night, and welcomes visitors with a night tour.
- Parts of the Great Wall in the Northwest (e.g., Gansu and Ningxia Provinces) may disappear in 20 years due to desertification and changes in human land use.
- The Great Wall Marathon is held every October at the Mutianyu Great Wall.
- Through dedicated regulations and laws, the efforts of over 6,000 protectors, and high-tech means, the Great Wall is preserved very well.
Related reading: 40 Fun Facts About China You Probably Donāt Know, Best Times to Visit the Great Wall of China
Essential Facts Every Visitor Should Know
How to get to the Great Wall from Beijing?
Many popular sections of the Great Wall are located near Beijing, making them incredibly easy to visit from the city.
To Badaling: The high-speed train from Beijing North/Qinghe Station to Badaling Great Wall is the fastest and most popular choice. After arrival, you can walk to the entrance directly or take the free shuttle buses to get there. Public bus line 877 can also take you from Deshengmen to the scenic area directly.
To Mutianyu: There are tourist direct buses departing at 08:30 from Beijing Tourist Distribution Center near Qianmen metro station and Dongzhimen Wai Bus Station, respectively.
Besides, Dongzhimen Bus Station also operates direct buses to Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall. All above are the most recommended public transportation. To save time and effort, hiring a car and a guide is also strongly recommended, as they can offer a seamless transfer and arrange a reasonable itinerary for you.
What are some of the best hikes along the Great Wall?
For hiking lovers, Jinshanling Great WallĀ is always their first choice. This section preserves primitive charm and has various forms of watchtowers. Its hiking difficulty is also moderate.
Badaling Great WallĀ features well-developed facilities and convenient transportation, so it is preferred by first-timers. The north section is usually relatively challenging, especially between North Watchtower No. 8 and 12, whose gradient is over 60. If you want a more leisurely experience, choose the south section.
If you are travelling with elders or kids, Mutianyu Great WallĀ suits you more, which is also well-equipped, but has fewer tourists and better scenery. Just avoid the Watchtower No. 14 – 30 in the west section.
What are the most famous sections of the Great Wall for visitors?
The most famous and representativeĀ sections are Badaling and Mutianyu.
Badaling Great Wall:
- The essence of the Ming Great Wall
- The first section that has been opened to the public
- Welcomes the most visitors all over the world, including plenty of foreign heads of governments
- The origin of the well-known saying, āHe who doesn’t reach the Great Wall is not a true man.ā
Mutianyu Great Wall:
- The most popular section among foreign tourists
- Well-preserved structure and the most beautiful scenery
When is the best time to visit the Great Wall of China?
Late September – early NovemberĀ is widely recognized as the best time to visit most sections of the Great Wall. The weather is neither too cold nor too hot, making it a golden time for hiking. Besides, complemented by the surrounding colorful autumn leaves, the Great Wall is also more magnificent and splendid.
April – MayĀ is also recommended, when the climate is mild and the Great Wall is full of vitality with blooming mountain flowers and lush new greenery all over the mountain. There are also fewer tourists than summer.
What are the best places to eat near the Great Wall?
There are restaurants near the Great WallĀ at popular sections such as Badaling and Mutianyu.Ā But most offer fast foods or simple meals and the cost is higher. So, for abundant and affordable options, it is advised to head to the nearby towns or go back to the downtown area to enjoy a meal.
Essential items to pack for a Great Wall hike
The most important item is a pair of anti-slippery hiking shoes, because the walkway on the Great Wall is uneven, with many gravels and steep slopes. Other necessary equipment includes an alpenstock, a backpack of appropriate capacity (20 – 30L for a day), a raincoat, a pair of sunglasses, a sunhat and a windbreaker or jacket. And remember to bring 2 – 3L of drinking water and some high-calorie snacks to replenish energy. In case you get injured, it is also advised to take a first-aid packet, including band-aids, disinfectants, painkillers, bandages, etc.
FAQs about Great Walls
Why is the Ming Dynasty section of the wall the most famous?
Because this section is the best-preserved section of the Great Wall. With exquisitely designed watchtowers, beacon towers and passes, this section integrates defense, garrison and communication functions, so it represents the peak of ancient military architectural art. Besides, located near Beijing, the Ming Dynasty section is developed earlier and well-equipped, making it the first choice for most tourists to admire the charm of the Great Wall.
What is the difference between the various sections of the wall, like Badaling, Mutianyu, and Jinshanling?
Badaling is the most famous and well-developed section, so there are cable cars and ropeways available for tourists. Its feature is magnificent and perilous. For first-comers and families, it is the most recommended. Mutianyu Great Wall is renowned as the most beautiful section. Thanks to its high vegetation coverage rate, there are various splendid natural scenery all year round. While Jinshanling Great Wall is relatively primitive and is especially famous for sunrise, sea of clouds and red leaves, making it a paradise for photographers.
Plan Your Memorable Great Wall Tour with China Xian Tour
The magnificent Great Wall is a must-visit tourist attraction in China, so if you plan to visit the Great Wall in China, we are glad to tailor an itinerary at a reasonable price for you. Also, we can arrange a Beijing tour with the Great Wall, so that you can feel the charm of the city completely. Besides, a professional guide or a driver can also be assigned according to your needs. So do not hesitate to contact China Xian Tour now.
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