Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is the significant structure in the world standing today as one of the greatest wonders of the world. Built between 221–206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, it was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987.

The Great Wall of China extends from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Nur in the west that outlines the southern edge of Inner Mongolia through an arc. Locals call this huge wall as ‘Wan Li Changcheng’ in Chinese language meaning ‘the Great Wall of 10,000 Li’ (1 Li = ½ km). It stretches approximately 8,851.8 kilometers (5,500 miles) from east to west of China and is made up of 6,259.6 km (3,889.5 mi) sections of actual wall, 2,232.5 km (1,387.2 mi) of natural defensive barriers like hills and rivers and of 359.7 km (223.5 mi) long trenches. Henry Norman, a liberal politician, stated about Great Wall of China in 1895, a “besides its age it enjoys the reputation of being the only work of human hands on the globe visible from the moon.”

The Great Wall of China was a first ever series of walls constructed from masonry, stones, rocks and packed earth material as a fortification in northern China. During the Qin Dynasty, it was basically designed and built to defend the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against invasion by Mongol nomads. Thus several walls have been constructed, rebuilt and maintained from 5th century BC to the 16th century that are collectively known as the Great Wall of China that has played a vital role in many historical battles. It is on the average 8-10 meters high (27 – 32 feet) and 5 meters (16 feet) wide.

It is the marvelous structure in the world acknowledged for its architectural magnificence and symbolizes Chinese wisdom and power to date. Due to its various features the Great Wall of China has become one of the major tourist attractions around the world.

When to go the Great Wall of China:
As the Great Wall of China is on the mountains so every season offers best view. However, the best time to visit Great Wall of China is spring when surroundings look so fresh and crowd of tourists is also less.

Where to live close to the Great Wall of China:

The hotels near to the Great Wall of China are:

• The Emperor Hotel
• Swissotel Beijing
• Novotel Xinqiao Beijing
• Beijing Traditional View Hotel
• Raffles Beijing Hotel
• Beijing Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel

Where to go at the Great Wall of China:

• Badaling
• Mutianyu
• Simatai
• Shixiaguan
• Shanxi region
• Gansu region
• Mutianyu wall

What to do at the Great Wall of China:

• Famous yearly Dragon Boat
• Trek for two days and toboggan down
• Hang onto the railings while climb up the Hanging
• Terracotta Warriors
• Hanging Monastery
• 50,000 Buddha Caves
• Tiananmen Square
• Great Wall Camping in Ming Dynasty Chestnut Garden.