The Great Wall was built in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods in the 7th century B.C. It was constructed and expanded through the Qin, Han, and Ming dynasties to form the scale we see today. Nowadays, the Great Wall has also become a popular attraction for traveling to China.
History of the Great Wall
The construction of the Great Wall began during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods in the 7th century B.C. At that time, our country was divided into a number of small, feuding states, which began to build walls in order to protect themselves from being invaded by other states.
In 221 B.C., after the Qin Dynasty unified the six kingdoms, Qin Shi Huang ordered these walls to be connected and reinforced, forming the earliest Great Wall. Subsequent dynasties, such as the Han and Ming, have built and expanded on the Great Wall on a large scale.
Structure of the Great Wall
The wall is the main part of the Great Wall, which was built on high mountains or plains, depending on the terrain. On the plains and in strategic passes, the walls are constructed with towering height and formidable strength, using masonry and stone. The upper part of the wall has a promenade, and the lower part has a shot hole and a stone-ringing hole.
Enemy towers are one of the important facilities on the Great Wall. They were built on the dangerous terrain for the troops defending each section of the wall to command, look out and pass orders. The diverse shapes and elegant forms of the watchtowers have transformed them into a striking feature along the Great Wall.
Passes are important passes on the Great Wall, they connect the inside and outside of the Wall and are important hubs for transportation and trade. Beacon towers are an important part of the Great Wall’s defense system, and they are distributed along the Great Wall to transmit military information.
Popular Great Wall Attractions
The Great Wall of China tour is a great way to learn about Chinese history and have an adventurous experience on your China tour. There are many famous Great Walls here for you to explore.
Badaling Great Wall
Badaling Great Wall, in Beijing’s Yanqing District, is one of the most famous sections of the Great Wall in Beijing. The Badaling Great Wall is a popular attraction during a Beijing tour. It has majestic walled buildings, countless monuments, subtle stone and brick carvings, and a tight defense system.
The Great Wall is divided into the North Line and South Line by the main landing platform. The southern section of the Badaling is gently sloping, scenic and wide-open. The northern section of the Badaling Great Wall is longer and comparatively steeper. And the northern section has more facilities.
Mutianyu Great Wall
The Mutianyu Great Wall is also a must-see Great Wall attraction on a trip to China. The Mutianyu Great Wall is about 75 kilometers away from Beijing city and is the essence of the Ming Great Wall. It is built between heavy mountain ranges and includes 20 enemy towers, which are densely fortified and spectacular.
Visitors enter through the north ticket gate to take the cable car, while the mountain ride stop is at the 14th enemy tower. The cable car runs gently and can be ridden by visitors of all grades. The Mutianyu Great Wall Slide is thrilling and exciting, more suitable for young people to challenge.
Jinshanling Great Wall
The Jinshanling Great Wall, located in Chengde City, is one of the best-preserved parts of the Ming Great Wall. The facilities such as beacon towers, enemy towers and forts along the Great Wall reflect the defense strategies and architectural styles of the time. The Jinshanling Great Wall is located in a region of rolling hills, surrounded by rolling mountains and dense forests.
It’s also an excellent trekking destination for visitors on China group tours. From Brickstack Exit to Shaling Exit, the total distance is about 3 kilometers, which is suitable for family-friendly tours or those who try the Great Wall hiking for the first time. The section from Xiaojinshanlou to Simatai Reservoir, about 6 kilometers, is suitable for visitors with some hiking experience. There is also the challenge of hiking the entire distance, which is about 12 kilometers.
Simatai Great Wall
Simatai Great Wall is one of the more niche Great Wall attractions on your China trip. Simatai Great Wall is about 120 kilometers away from Beijing. This Great Wall is built on the treacherous mountains of the Yanshan Range and is famous for its steep, dense and ingenious features.
The Simatai Great Wall’s hiking path is relatively steep, with more than 1 kilometer of uphill walking from the foot of the mountain to the enemy tower. You can choose to hike up or take the cable car.
