Written by Catherine |
The Great Wall of ChinaĀ is an iconic symbol of the country and its peopleās ingenuity. It has a history of over 2,000 years, spanning over 13,000 miles. The Great Wall of China is recognized as one of the worldās seven wonders. Today, it is an essential stop in almost everyoneās China tours.
Behind its impressive scale, incredible architecture, and ancient history, what was the purpose of the Great Wall of China? This article will explore why the Great Wall of China was built, its purpose throughout history, and its significance today.
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- The Primary Purpose of the Great Wall of China: Why was it Originally Built?
- Other Purposes of the Great Wall of China
- Material and Engineering Diversity
- Significance of the Great Wall Today
- Impact of the Great Wall on Chinese Governance
- FAQs about The Great Wall
- Plan Your Great Wall Tour with China Xian Tour
- Read More about the Great Wall of China
The Primary Purpose of the Great Wall of China: Why was it Originally Built?
Purpose Upon Origin Construction
The Great Wall of China was first constructed in 7th century BC, the Warring States period of ancient China. During that time, China was not yet unified into one state. Numerous states were constantly vying for dominance and control over territories. There were frequent conflicts and skirmishes along the borders.
The primary purpose of the Great Wall of China was defense. Different states built stone walls along their borders to defend themselves against neighboring states. Those walls were nothing like the Great Wall that we know today. They were much smaller in scale, scatted across different parts of China.
Purpose of Construction in Qin Dynasty
In 221 BC, Emperor Qin Shi Huang established Qin Dynasty and unified the states. During his reign, he connected and reinforced existing fortifications from before to create a cohesive defense system against invasions. This laid the foundation for the Great Wall of China that we know today.
The purpose of the Great Wall of China back then was also for defense, against invasions by nomadic tribes from the north, especially the Xiongnu. The northern border of China was made much stronger thanks to the physical barrier, which helped protect the ancient Chinese civilization.
The steep inclines, rugged terrain, and winding paths of the walls made it challenging for invading forces to breach the defenses. They kept out the nomadic armies, their horses in particular, which there was a lack of in the agricultural society of China.
Purpose of Construction in Ming Dynasty
Subsequent dynasties like Han, Sui, and Ming Dynasties all continued to reinforce the Great Wall of China for defending different enemies from the north, like the Khitans in Song Dynasty and the Mongols in Ming Dynasty. The walls slowly increased in scale.
The most significant expansion took place during Ming Dynasty, from the 14th to the 17th century. To defend against the Mongol invasions led by Genghis Khan and his successors, Ming emperors ordered the construction of the most well-known sections of the Great WallĀ which still stand today. You can embark on a Great Wall of China tourĀ to witness the historical wonder in person.
Other Purposes of the Great Wall of China
AĀ Communication Network
Another purpose of the Great Wall of China is communication. The wall has many watchtowers, beacon towers, and fortresses across its entire length. Stationed with soldiers who used signal fires or smoke to send messages, the system enabled fast communication across great distances.
Soldiers were able to spot enemy movements and invasions from the towers, send the signal to notify neighboring garrisons of impending danger. They could then respond to the threats quickly by dispatching troops.
A Support Station in Battles
During battles, the Great Wall of China had many functions. It served as a station for supplies like food and weapons. Transport and access were made a lot easier. The fortresses were stationed with troops. When one location is attacked, nearby fortresses can send reinforcements quickly.
Safeguarding Trades along the Silk Road
The Great Wall was extended in Han Dynasty along Hexi Corridor, a part of the ancient Silk Road. It protected the important trade route from invasions and bandits, ensured the safety of valuable commodities and their transportation. It also made communication easier for travelers. The Great Wall served great purposes in promoting the cultural and economic exchanges between China and other countries.
Regulation ofĀ TradeĀ across Border
The Great Wall also acted as a means of regulating trade and controlling the flow of goods across the border. There were checkpoints and customs stations established to collect taxes from merchants.
In ancient time, the south of the Great Wall was mainly agricultural societies, while the north of the Great Wall, nomadic cultures had a flourishing animal husbandry economy. The two cultures exchanged daily goods across the wall. People in China sold grain and cloth in exchange for horses and products like leather. Along with the goods, cultural exchanges took place as well.
Material and Engineering Diversity
Since the Great Wall is built in sections by different states in ancient China, the building materials and methods of each section vary a lot. To save cost and improve efficiency, the main principle is to use the local materials and adjust measures to local conditions.
- Stone and Brick: The two building materials are widely used in the parts built in Ming Dynasty near Beijing. Most of these sections are built along the ridges. The mainfeatures areĀ elaborate stone foundations and baked bricks. ToĀ defendĀ against gunpowder weapons and heavy cavalryĀ at that time, only this solid structure and tall and thick walls can be useful.
- Rammed Earth: In some sections in Shaanxi and Shanxi Provinces, rammed earth is the most common. Because they are located on the Loess Plateau, the loess and limb can be found very easily. The cost is also much lower than stones, so it is very suitable for large-scale construction.
- Plant Fiber with Sandstone: Surrounded by Gobi deserts, the Great Wall in Yumen Pass in Gansu Province is primarily built from tamped earth and local reeds or rose willow. Though not as solid as bricks, it can prevent the nomadic cavalry effectively, making it perfect for border patrol and trade protection in arid regions.
Related reading: Interesting Facts about the Han Dynasty
Significance of the Great Wall today
While many original purposes of the Great Wall of China no longer apply in the modern society, it still holds great importance globally. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts millions of visitors annually to travel to China. The Great Wall stands as a symbol of Chinaās rich history and architectural brilliance.
It has brought tourism and economic developmentĀ to the surrounding regions, especially the capital city, Beijing. You can go on a Beijing tourĀ to different parts of the Great Wall and experience the world wonder in person.
Impact of the Great Wall on Chinese Governance
The Great Wall in China is not just a wall, but also an important dividing line between Han Chinese civilization (agricultural) and Nomadic cultures (pastoral). The Great Wall coincides highly with the 400-millimeter annual isohyet. The area to the south of this line is suitable for farming, and the area to the north is suitable for nomadic herding. So the building of the Great Wall helps them to develop in the suitable regions and reduce the ecological problems and conflicts caused by cross-border expansion. In peacetime, the passes of the Great Wall are also trade centers. The materials of agricultural areas and nomadic areas are exchanged here, forming a situation of ethnic integration.
FAQs about The Great Wall
Who was the Great Wall of China built to keep out?
It is built mainly to defend the nomadic regime in the north, such as Xiongnu, Tujue, Mongolia, etc.
How did the Great Wall function as a communication system during invasions?
In brief, it delivers messages through smoke in the day and fire in the evening. When the enemy was discovered by the soldiers, they would burn smoke or raise a fire. The soldiers on the nearby watchtowers would repeat the process one by one after noticing the signals. Then the message was spread fast and widely.
Was the Great Wall built as one continuous structure?
No, it is a defense line composed of several parts of great walls and natural mountains and rivers.
What was the Wall’s role in regulating trade and the Silk Road?
On the one hand, it is the manager. By setting markets at the pass, it provides places for official trades, which canĀ meet the needs of both sides and reduce wars and conflicts. On the other hand, it isĀ also a defender. The goods will be checked at the entrance of the pass. And the passes are shelters and supply points for merchants.
Plan Your Great Wall Tour with China Xian Tour
As one of the eight wonders in the world, the magnificent Great Wall is definitely worthy of a visit. China Xian TourĀ would like to recommend the well-developed Badaling, Mutianyu Great Wall and Jiayuguan Pass, where tourists can enjoy both the ancient charm and better travel experience. BadalingĀ and MutianyuĀ are popular forĀ the final, most robust defensive iteration.Ā While Jiayu Pass plays an important role inĀ the Silk Road protection and border regulation.Ā Travel with us, we will tailor a Great Wall tourĀ for you and arrange a guide to introduce the background and interesting stories about each scenic spot. So contact our travel consultant now.
