The Great Wall of China is one of the greatest sights in the world. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 8,851.8 kilometers from east to west of China. The longest wall in the world, it is an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture.
It was key to protecting agriculture and resisting cavalry of the Huns and other warrior tribes from the north. The advantages of the enormous barrier diminished with the advancement of gunpowder and other weaponry.
The Great Wall was built over more than two thousand years. Construction on the first section began between the 7th and 6th century BC, and the last work on the wall was done between the 14th and 17th centuries.
The wall was originally built of stone, wood, grass and earth. In the Ming Dynasty bricks were produced in kilns set up along the wall. The bricks were transported by men carrying them on their backs, donkeys, mules and even goats had a brick tied to their head before being driven up a mountain.
The Wall we see today was mostly built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The construction, which drew heavily on the local resources for construction materials, was carried out in-line with the local conditions under the management of contract and responsibility system.
Beside some of the sections are now in ruins or have disappeared, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance. The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was listed as a World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. The construction demonstrates the wisdom and tenacity of the Chinese people.
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