China and the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is one of the great wonders of the world. Every year in excess of 4 million visitors from around the world tour sections the Great Wall to marvel over it’s construction. It was inscribed into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1987, and winds a total of 6,700 km through the provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions of Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan and Qinghai .

The Great Wall of China was erected over many millenia, starting with the first sections which were piecemeal fortifications erected by individual kingdoms between the 7th and 5th centuries B.C., all the way up to the final portions which were added in the 14th to 17th centuries A.D. The individual defensive walls of the vassal states gradually were extended and connected, with much of the unification of the wall, as well as the warring peoples of China, occurred during the Qin (or Ch’in) Dynasty which was founded in 221 B.C. This more unified wall was known as the “Great 10,000 li Wall” (10,000 lis equal about 5,000 km) and served to hold off invading tribes from the north. The Qin Dynasty, although not long-lived, brought about a number of advancements to China during the unification of the individual states besides the joining of the Great Wall into a single basic unit. Writing, currency and many measurements were standardized and made uniform. There were a great number of engineering projects undertaken such as roads and irrigation canals, and the Qin are known for the incredible terra cotta army found guarding the tomb of Shi Huangdi, First Emperor of China, at the palace built for him during his reign. After 1368 A.D. and the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the wall underwent a large-scale restoration and renovation, and was extended in length to over 6,000 km. It ran all the way from the Jiayu Pass (Jiayuguan), Gansu Province, to Shanghaiguan and the mouth of the Yalu River, Liaoning Province. Many consider the Ming Dynasty to be the real builders of the Great Wall since it was during their restoration and revamping that the wall became what we see today. They repaired crumbling brickwork and added granite work, watchtowers and forts were reconstructed and defensive cannons were emplaced on the wall.

Some of the access points to the principal sections of Great Wall of China:

Badaling Section – Accessible by bus or train through the deep and beautiful gorge of the Juyong (Juyongguan) Pass with a number of worthwhile sights to see along the way including the arch of the “Cloud Platform” with elaborate Buddhist carvings and inscriptions, the Five Heroes Temple. This section of the wall is in very good repair. From the Wall platforms and parapets, the views of the ridges, cliffs and the extension of the Wall itself as it winds and flows into the distance are breathtaking. Jinshanling ( Golden Mountain) section – provides food services, souvenirs, water, lodging. At a distance of about 150 km from Beijing, this secton of the crenellated wall is in good condition and is often called the “2nd Badaling”. The platforms and towers in this section of the wall are configured in a large variety of shapes and are by no means standarized. Panoramic views encompass the Miyun Reservoir. Be prepared for a fairly long walk from the settlement to access the wall itself. Buses are available out of Beijing from the Dongzhimen Bus Station. Taxis will also carry you from Beijing. Mutianyu section – Located 73 kilometers from Beijing between the Juyongguan Pass (Badaling Section) and the Gubeikou Gateway. It is very well preserved and a new pathway has been built for access and the wall can also be reached via cable car. The highest tower in this section lies 540 meters above sea level. The area holds several water sources and in the spring and summer the Wall surrounded in fruit trees and other vegetation. Huanghuacheng (Yellow Flower) Section – Located near a water reservoir 29 km to the north-west of Huairou city, this area is wreathed in yellow flowers during the summer months, and in golden leaves in the fall. Two large Chinese characters, “Jin Tang”, can be seen carved onto an enormous rock under the wall. This section of the wall reveals some unique architectural characteristics not found in other sections. Simatai Section – The 5.4 km Simatai Great Wall is located 120 km to the north-east of Beijing. This section encompasses the Gubeikou pass and still retains original features and characteristics of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty 

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Tags: Asia, Beijing, China, Great Wall, Great Wall of China, Ming Dynasty, People's Republic of China, World Heritage Sites