国际交流

The Great Wall, symbolizing China’s ancient civilization, is one of the world’s most renowned projects. It is a distance of 75 kilometres northwest of Beijing. Its highest point at Badaling is some 800 metres above see level.

 

Construction of the Wall first began during the period of the Warring States. Formerly, walls were built at strategic points by different kingdoms to protect their northern territories. In 221 BC after the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty unified China, he decided to have the walls linked up and extended.

 

 Historical records show that about 1 million people, ne-fifth f China’s population at the time, were involved in the project which took more than ten years. The Great Wall extends from Shanghaiguan Pass, a seaport along the coast of Bohai Bay, to Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu Province. Its total length is more than 6,700 kilometres.

 

There were many places of strategic importance along the Wall. Fortresses were constructed at strategic points. Beacon towers were built on both sides of the Wall at commanding points. Whenever the enemy was sighted, bonfires were lit on the towers t signal warning messages.

 

Before the Ming Dynasty, the Wall was built mainly of earth and rock, Under the Ming, it was rebuilt in most places with bricks and stones. At regular intervals along the southern side of the Wall, there are gates with stone steps leading to the top of the Wall.

 

The Great Wall runs 629 kilometres n the Beijing area. More than 100 kilometres are well preserved and two other sections at Badaling and Mutianyu have already been renovated for tourists both at home and abroad. The Great Wall is the great creation of ancient Chinese people. It was listed by the UNESCO as one of the World heritages in 1987.