World Cultural Heritage
Great Wall of China - One of the Seven Wonders of the World
Magnificent scenery of the Great Wall of China, a symbol and pride of the Chinese nation
Magnificent scenery of the Great Wall of China, a symbol and pride of the Chinese nation
The Great Wall is a magnificent defensive project of ancient China and one of the greatest buildings in the world, known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Stretching over 21,000 kilometers across northern China, it is the longest and largest ancient defensive project in human history in terms of construction time and engineering volume.
The construction of the Great Wall began during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods when various vassal states built city walls to defend against invasions from nomadic tribes in the north. After unifying China, Emperor Qin Shi Huang connected the northern walls of the Qin, Zhao, and Yan states, forming the Great Wall that stretched from Lintao in the west to Liaodong in the east. Later dynasties such as Han, Northern Wei, Northern Qi, Northern Zhou, Sui, Tang, Song, Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing all repaired or expanded the Great Wall, with the Ming Dynasty Great Wall being the most solid and complete.
The Great Wall is not only a military defensive project but also an important historical witness to ancient Chinese politics, economy, culture, and military affairs. It showcases the wisdom and creativity of the ancient Chinese working people and is a symbol and pride of the Chinese nation. In 1987, the Great Wall was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Located in Yanqing District, Beijing, the Badaling Great Wall is the best-preserved and most representative section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall. It was the first section of the Great Wall to be opened to tourists and is renowned worldwide for its magnificent landscape, complete facilities, and profound cultural and historical connotations.
The Badaling Great Wall features steep terrain and high, solid walls. The walls average 7.8 meters high, with the highest point reaching 14 meters, the base width averages 6.5 meters, and the top width averages 5.8 meters. Climbing the Badaling Great Wall, visitors can overlook the rolling mountains and experience the grandeur and majesty of the Great Wall.
Located in Huairou District, Beijing, the Mutianyu Great Wall is the essence of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall, known for its unique architectural style and beautiful natural scenery. Most of the walls of the Mutianyu Great Wall are built on steep cliffs at the outer side, following the contours of the mountains, undulating continuously like a giant dragon winding.
Stretching 5,400 meters, the Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the longest sections of the Great Wall in China and one of the best-preserved sections. With high vegetation coverage and beautiful scenery, it is known as "The Mutianyu Section - the Most Beautiful of the Great Wall."
Located in Miyun District, Beijing, the Simatai Great Wall is the most precipitous section of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall and the most original-preserved section. It is renowned worldwide for its unique architectural style and steep terrain, and is hailed as "The Greatest of the Chinese Great Wall."
The Simatai Great Wall features dangerous terrain with walls built on steep mountain ridges, with the highest point reaching an altitude of 986 meters. The walls here come in various forms, including single-sided walls, double-sided walls, and trapezoidal walls, showcasing the superb craftsmanship of Ming Dynasty Great Wall construction.
The Great Wall is not only a great military defensive project but also an important carrier of ancient Chinese culture. It carries rich historical and cultural connotations, including military culture, architectural culture, and ethnic culture.
From a military perspective, the Great Wall is a concentrated embodiment of ancient Chinese military thought. It is not just a defensive barrier but a complete military defense system, including various defensive facilities such as walls, passes, beacon towers, and castles. The construction of the Great Wall and the establishment of its defense system reflect the profound understanding of war laws and the ingenious application of defensive strategies by ancient Chinese military strategists.
From an architectural perspective, the Great Wall showcases the high level of ancient Chinese architectural technology. The construction of the Great Wall adopted the principles of adapting to local conditions and using local materials, selecting different building materials and construction methods according to the topography and geological conditions. The walls, passes, beacon towers, and other buildings of the Great Wall are exquisitely designed, reasonably structured, and sturdy and durable, demonstrating the wisdom and creativity of the ancient Chinese working people.
From an ethnic perspective, the Great Wall is a witness to the integration and exchange of the Chinese nation. It is not only a barrier for the Central Plains dynasties to defend against northern nomadic tribes but also a bond for cultural exchange between the Central Plains and northern nomadic cultures. Throughout history, the areas along the Great Wall have been important regions for the interaction, exchange, and integration of various ethnic groups, promoting the formation and development of the Chinese nation.
When visiting the Great Wall, here are some practical recommendations to help you better experience its charm:
1. Best Time: Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit the Great Wall, with pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. In spring, you can enjoy the blooming flowers around the Great Wall, while in autumn, you can see the stunning red leaves and forests. Summer temperatures are high, so it's recommended to avoid noon and choose morning or evening for your visit. Winter temperatures are low, but you can enjoy the unique beauty of the snow-covered Great Wall.
2. Transportation: Badaling Great Wall can be reached by bus or tourist special line, or by self-driving. Mutianyu Great Wall and Simatai Great Wall can be reached by bus or tourist special line, with transportation relatively less convenient than Badaling.
3. Tourist Routes: Badaling Great Wall is divided into the South Line and the North Line, with the North Line being steeper and the South Line relatively gentler. For Mutianyu Great Wall, you can choose to start your tour from Watchtower 1 or Watchtower 14. For Simatai Great Wall, you can choose to hike or take a cable car.
4. Notes: Pay attention to safety when visiting the Great Wall, especially in steep sections. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and bring enough water and food. Protect yourself from the sun in summer and keep warm in winter.