Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a vast system of Chinese fortifications built over many centuries to defend the northern frontier.

The Great Wall of China is a vast system of Chinese fortifications built over many centuries to defend the northern frontier. It is not a single continuous wall, but a network of walls, trenches, watchtowers, and natural barriers associated especially with the Ming dynasty sections. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is widely regarded as one of the world's most famous landmarks.

History

The fortifications were built over a long period, beginning in the 3rd century BCE and continuing into the 17th century CE. Different Chinese states and dynasties added, rebuilt, and extended sections for defence purposes.

Structure and route

The Great Wall is not one continuous wall. It includes walls, trenches, towers, and natural obstacles, and is commonly associated with the stretch from Shanhaiguan in the east to Jiayuguan in the west.

World Heritage status

UNESCO designated the Great Wall of China as a World Heritage Site in 1987. The inscription recognises its outstanding historical and cultural importance.

Public image and misconceptions

Popular descriptions often simplify the Wall as a single uninterrupted barrier, but historical and archaeological sources describe it as a complex defensive system built in many phases.