“Have you lost your way?” a voice echoes. It bounces off the craggy rocks as we approach \u795e\u79d8\u8c37\u65ad\u5d16.
Beijing, previously known as Peking, is calling. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. Its history can be traced back 3,000 years. That makes it about as old as London.
Beijing has served as the capital for six notable Chinese governments. China has been ruled from Beijing for over 700 years. That explains why there are so many historical sites to explore.
Before settling on the name “Beijing” in 1403, the city had a series of names. These include Jicheng, Yanjing and Nanjing. Beijing, meaning “Northern Capital,” was the 16th name given to the city.
Beijing is home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Great Wall is one of them. The Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven also belong to them.
As we stand near \u795e\u79d8\u8c37\u65ad\u5d16, let’s talk about another wonder. It is the Great Wall. The Great Wall of China is an ancient series of walls. It features fortifications totaling more than 13,000 miles in length. It is located in northern China.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang originally conceived the Great Wall in the third century B.C. His aim was to prevent incursions from barbarian nomads. The best-known and best-preserved section of the Great Wall was built during the Ming dynasty. That was in the 14th through 17th centuries A.D.
The Great Wall never effectively prevented invaders from entering China. Yet, it came to function as a powerful symbol of Chinese civilization’s enduring strength.
Around 220 B.C., Qin Shi Huang ordered that earlier fortifications between states be removed. He wanted a single system that would protect China against attacks from the north. It would extend for more than 10,000 li.
Construction of the “Wan Li Chang Cheng,” or 10,000-Li-Long Wall, was ambitious. General Meng Tian directed the project. He used soldiers, convicts, and commoners as workers.
The wall stretched from the China Sea port of Shanhaiguan. It went over 3,000 miles west into Gansu province. The Great Wall rose some 15-30 feet high. Guard towers were distributed at intervals along it.
The Great Wall of China that exists today was constructed mainly during the Ming Dynasty. Construction on the most extensive section of the Great Wall began around 1474. The Ming wall extended from the Yalu River in Liaoning Province. It wound its way from east to west.
In the mid-17th century, the Manchus broke through the Great Wall. They encroached on Beijing. That forced the fall of the Ming Dynasty and the beginning of the Qing Dynasty.
Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the Great Wall became the most common emblem of China for the Western world. In 1987, UNESCO designated the Great Wall a World Heritage site.
Badaling is the best-known section of the Great Wall of China. It was rebuilt in the late 1950s. It attracts thousands of national and foreign tourists every day.
The Badaling Great Wall was once the major defensive wall. It formed the northern frontier of the capital, Beijing. It is now the best-preserved and the most popular section.
The Badaling Great Wall attracts over 10 million visitors annually. During peak tourist season, the daily visitor count can soar to as many as 100,000.
There are two beacon towers on the top of the mountains outside Badaling. They functioned as the alarm system. Military information could be quickly and accurately transmitted several kilometers away.
The Badaling Great Wall extends for a length of 7,600 meters. The tourist-accessible section measures 3,741 meters. It generally takes around 3 to 4 hours to complete the entire hiking journey.
Since 1954, a remarkable total of 541 heads of state and government from 179 countries have visited this iconic landmark. They beamed their smiles upon the Great Wall. They etched indelible memories into its time-honored stones.
\u795e\u79d8\u8c37\u65ad\u5d16 stands as a silent witness. It reminds us of Beijing’s rich history. It shows us the enduring spirit of China.