The Great Wall: China’s legendary wonder explored

Where it begins and ends

Stretching over 13,000 miles (21,196 km), the Great Wall runs from Jiayuguan Pass in the west to the Hushan Mountains in the east, finally meeting the Bohai Gulf, cutting across deserts, plains, and peaks along the way.

Conflict fuels construction

Between 481 and 221 BCE, during the Warring States Period, rival Chinese regions battled for dominance amid the Eastern Zhou dynasty’s decline, setting the stage for the early Great Wall’s construction.

Uniting walls into one

To symbolize a unified China, the emperor ordered a massive wall along the northern frontier, defending against the nomadic Xiongnu. With no more rival states, he dismantled the separate walls of the seven warring states, replacing them with a single, continuous barrier.

The Wall’s dark toll

Qin Shi Huangdi’s reign was marked by harsh rule, and the Wall was seen less as a symbol of unity and more as a grim labor camp where many were sent to work until death.

Chaos after the Qin

After the Qin dynasty collapsed in 206 BCE, China plunged into the Chu-Han Contention, a civil war between generals Xiang Yu of Chu and Liu Bang of Han, who both vied to control the fractured empire.

From defense to trade

Liu Bang was the first to use the Wall not just for defense, but to control trade along what became the Silk Road. Later, Emperor Wu Ti expanded these routes, opening commerce between China and Europe by 130 BCE.

Mistaken by time

Because both the Qin and Ming walls aimed to block northern invaders, many assume today’s Wall dates back to Qin Shi Huangdi. In truth, it was the Ming who built the iconic structure, with 25,000 watchtowers and walls up to 26 feet (8 m) high and 20 feet (6 m) wide.

Defenders’ strongholds

Placed every 1,640 feet (500 m), flanking towers lined the Great Wall, giving defenders strategic vantage points to shoot arrows and repel attackers directly at the Wall’s face.

Fortresses guarding key passes

Forts along the Wall featured numerous archery windows and powerful gates. These gatehouses were the most formidable and nearly impregnable structures in the entire defensive system.

From defense to decay

After the Manchus overthrew the Ming and founded the Qing dynasty, China’s northern border shifted beyond the Wall. No longer needed for defense, the Wall was left to crumble—until 1912, when it gained new purpose as a tool for regulating migration.

Preserving an ancient giant

To safeguard what’s left, China has enacted laws and allocated funding for the Wall’s protection, restoration, and upkeep. On a smaller scale, individuals can help, too, like planting trees to prevent erosion along its slopes.

Mutianyu: a restored marvel

Near Beijing, Mutianyu stands out as the most magnificent and fully restored section of the Great Wall, highly praised by visitors and experts alike for its stunning views and well-preserved structure.

Jiankou: thrilling and mesmerizing

Famous on postcards, Jiankou is known for its steep terrain and thrilling, sometimes perilous hiking, perfect for adventurous travelers seeking dramatic views.