The Great Wall of China is easily one of the most famous landmarks in the world. This man-made feat of architecture is over 2000 years old and stretches the length of China from East to West – an amazing 4160 miles or 6700 kilometers. Construction on the wall was reportedly started by the Qin Dynasty during the 2nd Century BCE and building continued on and off for the following 1800 years.
Today much of the Great Wall is in disrepair however there are still a number of sections that can easily be walked by even novice trekkers. Most of the best sections lie to the north of Beijing however there are more sections in the provinces of Liaoning, Tianjin and Gansu for the more adventurous traveler.
A History of Great Wall of China
According to the history books of China the Great Wall began life as a series of separate walls that were designed to protect individual Chinese states. It was only when Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the the Qin Dynasty, came to power that the walls were joined to create the Great Wall that still stands today. Most of the wall that is still usable was built at a much later date during the Ming Dynasty and the differences in culture and architecture can clearly been seen.
The Great Wall of China Today
In 2002 the China Great Wall Academy conducted a 45 day survey of the wall and visited over 100 sites in total. Their results showed that over 70% of the wall is in such disrepair that it is no longer safe for walkers and so those wishing to trek the length of the wall have to leave the structure at various points and trek through the mountains, grasslands and plateaus that surround the ruined parts.
Today, the most popular section of the wall includes an optional segment with over 5000 steps up to the summit and although climbing the Great Wall of China is a feat in itself, hundreds of visitors do it everyday.