Joanna James
The mightiest construction of mankind, the Great Wall of China was erected around 2000 years ago. Some believe that this is the only structure on earth that could be seen from the moon.
The Great Wall of China is considered to be the longest and the oldest bulwark in the world. The wall cuts across the mountainous landscape of northern China and brings visitors excellent scenery. The wall ranges over a variety of landscapes including beaches, mountains, and the Gobi Desert. Its enormity fascinates tourists, and if you happen to stay at a Beijing Hotel, you will find many tourists who want to visit the Great Wall.
Though call the Great Wall of China, it is actually a combination of walls that stand parallel to each other. In other words, it's a system of walls built for added security and strength. The sturdiest sections of the wall are said to be built between 1368 to 1644; this was during the Ming dynasty. The old military reinforcements, including barracks, fortresses, watchtowers and battlements, can still be seen. Among the most visited sections of the Great Wall are Shanhaiguan Pass, Mutianyu and Jinshanling.
There is a reason why Beijing is dotted with places like Pan Pacific Beijing. Tourists pour into the city with the main purpose of visiting the Great Wall. Those who like to dwell in history, enjoy nature and be awe-struck by the brilliance of a manmade structure visit the wall throughout the year. With surrounding scenery ranging from beaches to mountains to desert regions, the wall draws people from all around the world.
The Great Wall is believed to stretch 13,000 miles, but a considerable portion of that length has been subjected to natural disasters and human actions. In the 1950s, the communist government encouraged people to take down the wall and use its bricks and stones to build houses for themselves. According to estimates, nearly 1,200 miles have been destroyed, but the current leaders of the country do everything necessary to protect this ancient structure.
While the wall is a cause for pride, the backstory of this mighty structure is heartbreaking. A massive amount of labour was needed to build the wall, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang decided to commit convicts and peasants to the task. It was not easy work. People had to haul heavy stones, dig foundations and everything that was needed to build so grand a structure. A massive number of people lost their lives at the construction site, but it didn't stop the progress of the wall. Other emperors continued the project using forced labour. The workers didn't get any compensation. What's even more heartbreaking and shocking is that those who died were buried within the wall; this is why it's called the Longest Cemetery on Earth.
Although the wall was thought to be impenetrable, the enemies still managed to attack and get through. Those who wanted what their neighbour had continued to attack the wall and some of them succeeded.
Despite the fact that it was strong enough to survive for thousands of years, the wall might not be here in 20 years. The Great Wall is subjected to the ramifications of erosion. However, the Chinese government is doing everything possible to preserve the wall.
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