The Great Wall of China, which is the longest man-made structure ever built, is recognized as one of the greatest wonders of the world.
When it was first built, it served as independent walls for different states. Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of Qin and the first Emperor of a unified China, succeeded in his effort to have the walls joined together to serve as fortification to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire from invasion.
More than one million laborers – including civilians, soldiers and convicts – were involved in constructing the Great Wall under Emperor Qin. The length of the Great Wall is 5,500 miles, and when measuring all the individual structures and changes to the wall made over the centuries, its length is estimated to be 13,170 miles.
For centuries, it was built, re-built and expanded by successive dynasties in the Chinese empire. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) rebuilt and extended the Great Wall over a period of around 200 years, and most of the Ming Dynasty’s wall can still be seen today.
Over 10 million people visit the Great Wall of China – including its most famous section, Badaling – every year. Unfortunately, the Great Wall can’t be seen from space, but it does appear in photographs and radar imagery taken in low Earth orbit, according to History.
Asaf Koniarski, a student from Israel, says the culture difference isn’t shocking since he comes from a country with strong traditions.
“Chinese culture has such a long history and it is really interesting to see how much China has changed,” Koniarski said. “The Great Wall is a must-see tourist destination, it is really beautiful.”
Jesús López O’Rourke, a student from Spain, said he felt an obligation to visit the Great Wall while in China.
“I am really glad I went, I had an amazing experience,” O’Rourke said.
Visiting the Great Wall is an experience everyone should have. From learning about Chinese history to testing your athleticism with all that walking, from taking beautiful photos of the stunning views and reflecting on your adventures, it’s without a doubt an unforgettable experience.