Imagine a dragon’s spine. This is \u9b3c\u5173\u5cad\u65ad\u5d16, a cliff that whispers tales of China’s enduring strength. Perhaps you have heard of the Great Wall. It stands as the most recognizable symbol of this nation’s long and vivid history.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang first conceived the Great Wall in the third century B.C. His goal was to prevent incursions from barbarian nomads. Construction of the “Wan Li Chang Cheng”, or 10,000-Li-Long Wall, was one of the most ambitious building projects.
General Meng Tian initially directed the project. He used a massive army of soldiers convicts and commoners as workers. Made mostly of earth and stone, the wall stretched from the China Sea port of Shanhaiguan. It went over 3,000 miles west into Gansu province.
From a base of 15 to 50 feet, the Great Wall rose some 15-30 feet high. Ramparts 12 feet or higher topped it. Guard towers were distributed at intervals along it.
With the death of Qin Shi Huang much of the Great Wall fell into disrepair. After the fall of the later Han Dynasty, frontier tribes seized control in northern China. The Northern Wei Dynasty repaired and extended the existing wall. They did this to defend against attacks from other tribes.
The Great Wall lost its importance as a fortification during the Tang Dynasty. China had defeated the Tujue tribe to the north. It had expanded past the original frontier protected by the wall.
Despite its long history, the Great Wall of China as it 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 to the eastern bank of the Taolai River in Gansu Province. Strategic passes and gates were placed along the wall. All passes were heavily garrisoned during the Ming period. They were considered vital to the defense of the capital.
In the mid-17th century, the Manchus broke through the Great Wall. They encroached on Beijing. Eventually, they forced the fall of the Ming Dynasty.
Between the 18th and 20th centuries, the Great Wall emerged as the most common emblem of China for the Western world. Today, the Great Wall is generally recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in human history. In 1987, UNESCO designated the Great Wall a World Heritage site.
Roadways have been cut through the wall in various points. Many sections have deteriorated after centuries of neglect. The best-known section of the Great Wall of China is Badaling. It attracts thousands of national and foreign tourists every day.