The focal point of the any trip to Beijing and one of the wonders of the world is undoubtedly the Great Wall of China. Like a dragon snaking its way 4000 miles across China's ever-changing landscapes, the Great Wall stands today as a bastion of culture in the hearts and minds of the Chinese people. Literally translated, “The Long Wall of 10,000 Li*” was built to protect the northern borders against foreign invaders, and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1987.
The Great Wall is not a continuous wall, but actually a series of fortifications built between the 5th century BC and 16th century. Although lengthy sections now lie in ruins or have disappeared completely, it still remains the longest man-made structure in the world.
In 221 BC, the first Qin emperor constructed the first set of walls to protect the empire’s new frontier. Most of the Great Wall visible today is the result of the work done during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). At its height, the Ming wall was guarded by over one million men.
The Great Wall has been restored and rebuilt during the 20th century, including Badaling, the most famous and best-preserved section just 43 miles (70 km) northwest of Beijing. Today, thousands of visitors from around the world trek across the wall’s ancients stones just so they can say they have climbed the Great Wall and been a part of China’s ancient past.
*10,000 li = 6,508 km (4,000 miles). In Chinese, 10,000 figuratively means “infinite”.