The Great Wall of China is a massive fortification that was built from the ancient Qin Dynasty (Emperor Qin Shi Huang) to the Ming Dynasty. It is one of the most important historical sites in China, representing China's history and culture. This massive wall was mainly built to prevent the invasion of nomadic tribes such as the Xiongnu, and is currently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, holding significant historical value.

Overview

The Chinese people generally call this massive wall "the Great Wall", and the term "The Great Wall of China" is actually more widely used outside of China.

The Great Wall stretches from Shanhai Pass in Hebei Province to Jiayuguan Pass in Gansu Province, with a length of about 2,700 km on a map, but is known to actually reach 5,000-6,000 km.

This massive wall is often referred to as "the only man-made structure visible from the moon" due to its enormity, but it is actually too far away to be observed from space.

Structure

The Great Wall has been built over a period of more than 1,000 years, from the Qin Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, resulting in different structures for each section.

Initially, the wall was built using earth and straw, but during the Ming Dynasty, bricks were used to construct a more solid wall.

Especially during the Ming Dynasty, more advanced construction techniques were used, such as building stone walls and reinforcing them, moving away from the ancient earthen walls.

History

The history of the Great Wall is closely related to the construction activities of various dynasties in China.

It was mainly built to prevent the invasion of tribes such as the Xiongnu, and different dynasties repaired and expanded the wall, leading to its current form.

The Great Wall was completed in its present form during the Ming Dynasty.

Since then, various dynasties in China have repaired and reinforced the Great Wall, preserving it as an important historical structure.

Current Status

The Chinese government currently protects the Great Wall as an important historical and cultural relic, and it is listed as a World Heritage Site.

However, there are problems such as the destruction or submersion of parts of the wall due to the activities of tourists or local residents.

The Chinese government is struggling to come up with measures for the economic development and maintenance of the surrounding area of the Great Wall.

The Great Wall is recognized as an important historical heritage not only in China, but also worldwide, and is evaluated as a site that requires continuous preservation and research.

Controversy

Recently, China's announcement regarding the length and location of the Great Wall has sparked controversy in South Korea.

As China has researched and published various fortifications, including the Great Wall, there have been claims that the length of the Great Wall has increased by integrating them.

In response, some media outlets in South Korea have raised concerns about China's intentions, fueling controversy. However, the Northeast Asian History Foundation criticized the controversy, stating that it occurred without accurate fact-checking.

This controversy is recognized as an issue that needs to be resolved through historical understanding and cooperation.

Interesting Facts

● The Great Wall is known for its perfect architectural symmetry.

The left and right sides are perfectly aligned based on the center of the structure, and the interior of the wall features fortresses, gates, towers, and signal towers.

The path along the top of the wall was designed for the rapid movement of troops, and on the outside of the wall, there are steep mounds of earth to prevent enemy invasion.

The height and thickness of the wall varies by section, but the average height is 67 meters and the thickness is 45 meters. The materials used for the wall include earth, stone, brick, wood, and lime.

● The Great Wall is an architectural structure that allows you to appreciate China's history and culture.

The Great Wall is filled with various legends and stories, the most famous being the story of Meng Nuai.

Meng Nuai was the wife of a laborer who built the Great Wall. After her husband died on the Great Wall, she went to the Great Wall to find his remains. However, she could not find his remains and wept with sorrow.

As her tears flowed down the Great Wall, part of the Great Wall collapsed, revealing her husband's remains. Afterwards, she committed suicide with her husband's remains, and her tomb is located near the Great Wall.

This story symbolizes the suffering and grief of the countless laborers who died building the Great Wall.

● The Great Wall is the longest man-made structure in the world.

The Great Wall was built over thousands of years, with millions of laborers and thousands of engineers involved.

The Great Wall was built to suit various terrains and climates, including mountains, plains, deserts, and rivers, and has withstood countless enemy invasions and wars.

The Great Wall is an architectural structure that symbolizes the history, culture, spirit, and identity of the Chinese people.