The Great Wall of China has been in the list of Seven Wonders of the world. It’s a masterpiece of great architecture, which is located in China. Not to mention China has other architectural wonders too such as Lord Buddha statues. Although the visibility from space might be a myth, the Great Wall of China has been a part of Chinese history and continues to be a local and tourist attraction for travelers from across the world. Here are some facts about The Great Wall of China for the intrigued travelers out there.
Facts About The Great Wall Of China
The Great Wall Of China | (c) Photo By Mosquito Squad Athens
Who Built The Great Wall Of China?
The Great Wall of China was built centuries ago by the Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi during the Qin Dynasty around 221 B.C. The wall served as a barricade that kept off attackers like the nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes that originated from Northern China. The wall was put together by people who resided there, along with criminals and the soldiers themselves. Over the years, the wall has been modified with additions made over the next 200 years like cannons and watch-towers. Even Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty contributed to the construction of this mammoth project, spanning the wall to a stretch from Dunhuang to Yanze, where it is currently known as Lop Nur.
Where In China Is The Great Wall Located?
The wall runs along from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Lake in the west. It is a vast stretch that adds up to about 8.852.8 km, where the walls break up in parts in between, filled in by defense barriers, trenches, rivers and hills to complete its mammoth structure.
How Large Is The Wall?
The wall is about 30 feet high and 15 feet wide.
What Is The Great Wall Made From?
In the emerging stages the wall was mainly built from earth, stones and wood. The use of bricks was a later development to build the wall. It required an enormous amount of raw materials in the area. The builders had used materials that were available easily. For example, while building over the mountain ranges, the stones of the mountain were used; while in the plains, earth materials were pounded into solid blocks to be used in construction, whereas in the deserts, the sanded reeds were put to use.
What Was The Purpose Of The Great Wall?
The Great Wall of China was built to serve as a site for lookout posts. Meaning it was to provide the army a swift warning system and to create an elevated military roadway through the rugged terrain. In addition, The wall provided a protection to the economic development and cultural progress of the region. The wall also safeguarded the trade routes such as the Silk Route, and facilitated safe transmission of information and transportation.
How Long Did It Take To Build Th Great Wall?
The purpose of the Great Wall was to protect powerful parts of China from invaders. Research done at the time of the Great Wall construction has concluded that it began around the 6th and 7th century B.C. Technically, it is unknown as to who actually started out on building the wall, where the emperor of the Qin Dynasty is known to have made significant changes and additions to the Great Wall. It wasn’t easy putting the wall together, since the original make-up consisted of wood, stone, earth and grass. Later on, the wall’s make has been replaced with bricks made from klins; it has been then transported on the backs of labor animals up the mountain top.
It is truly amazing that this creation of mankind draws many people from around the world. An impressive structure built from so many hands and brings us so much history. There is so much we can learn from such a rich architectural history, that makes up the Great Wall of China.
My name is Salika Jay, and I'd like to welcome you to my travel blog! Ever since I was a kid, I loved traveling the world. I started this blog to share my journeys around the world and everything travel.