Great Wall of China: Sections

Great Wall of China: Overview

Here’s a glance at the overview of the Great Wall of China:...

Great Wall of China: History

By the time of the Spring and Autumn period (8th to 5th centuries BC), the Chinese were already skilled in wall-building techniques. During this time and the subsequent Warring States period, various states including Qin, Wei, Zhao, Qi, Han, Yan, and Zhongshan constructed extensive fortifications to defend their borders. These walls, built to withstand attacks from swords and spears, were primarily made of stone or by filling earth and gravel between wooden frames. In 221 BC, King Zheng of Qin unified China as the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty, known as “Qin Shi Huang.” Seeking to centralize rule and prevent the resurgence of feudal lords, he ordered the destruction of sections of walls that divided his empire. However, to defend against the Xiongnu people from the north, he ordered the construction of new walls to connect existing fortifications along the northern frontier. The principle of “Build and move on” guided construction, suggesting that the walls were not meant to be permanent borders. Transporting materials for construction was challenging, so builders used local resources whenever possible. Stones from mountains were used in mountainous regions, while rammed earth was used in plains. Exact records of the length and course of the Qin walls are scarce, with most ancient walls having eroded over time. It’s estimated that hundreds of thousands of workers died during the construction of the Qin wall. Subsequent dynasties, including the Han, Northern dynasties, and Sui, repaired, rebuilt, or expanded sections of the Great Wall to defend against northern invaders. However, the Tang and Song dynasties did not undertake significant efforts in this region. Dynasties led by non-Han ethnic groups, such as the Northern Wei, Liao, Jin, and Western Xia, also constructed defensive walls, mainly located in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region and modern-day Mongolia....

Great Wall of China: Sections

Here’s a list of all the sections of the Great Wall of China along with their Provinces:...

Great Wall of China: Characteristics

Before the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall was mostly made of rammed earth, stones, and wood. However, during the Ming Dynasty, bricks became widely used in many parts of the wall, along with materials like tiles, lime, and stone. Bricks were easier to handle than earth and stone, which sped up construction. They could also bear more weight and endure better than rammed earth. While stone is strong, it’s harder to work with, so rectangular stones were used for the foundation, brims, and gateways of the wall. Most of the wall features battlements along the top, with gaps for defense measuring a little over 30 cm tall and about 23 cm wide. Guards stationed on the parapets could watch the surrounding land for any signs of trouble. Sticky rice mortar, made from sticky rice soup mixed with lime, was commonly used to bind the bricks together. Contrary to legend, no human bones or body parts were ever used in the construction of the wall or its mortar. Communication between army units along the wall was crucial for coordinating reinforcements and warning of enemy movements. Signal towers were built on high points along the wall for visibility. Wooden gates could also be used as traps. Barracks, stables, and armories were constructed near the inner surface of the wall. The Great Wall of China cannot be seen by the naked human eye from the Moon....

The Best 10 Sections/Parts of the Great Wall to Visit

1. Mutianyu (The most magnificent fully-restored Great Wall section)...

FAQs on Great Wall of China Sections

How many states does the Great Wall of China stretches across?...