The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is the greatest fortification ever built, an ancient network of walls, watchtowers and ramparts that snakes for thousands of kilometres across the mountains, grasslands and deserts of northern China. Built and rebuilt over two millennia to guard the empire from northern invaders, its most spectacular restored sections climb dizzyingly steep ridges near Beijing, a UNESCO wonder and one of the most awe-inspiring human achievements on earth.

History

The first walls date to the 7th century BC, when states such as Qi, Chu, Qin, Zhao and Yan fortified their borders with stone and rammed earth. After Qin unified China in 221 BC, the First Emperor had the walls between the former states pulled down and ordered new ones to join the remaining fortifications along the northern frontier against the Xiongnu; the Han, the Northern dynasties and the Sui repaired and extended them, and the Northern Wei, Liao, Jin and Western Xia built walls further north. The best-known sections are those of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), which after its defeat by the Oirats at Tumu built stronger walls of brick and stone along the southern edge of the Ordos Desert, with up to 25,000 watchtowers (Wikipedia, Great Wall of China).

Highlights

• The restored ramparts - the wall climbing the steep ridges near Beijing.
• The watchtowers - the beacon towers strung along the wall.
• Mutianyu - the popular, less crowded restored section with a cable car.
• The wild wall - the crumbling, unrestored stretches for the adventurous.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather and clearest skies, avoiding the summer heat and haze and winter cold; go early to beat the crowds. Mutianyu is generally less crowded and more scenic than the very busy Badaling.

Things to know

The nearest and most famous section, Badaling, is extremely crowded, so Mutianyu or the quieter, wilder sections are far more rewarding. The wall is genuinely steep and strenuous in places, with uneven steps, so it is more of a hike than a stroll. It is a day trip from Beijing, and the restored parts are just a fraction of the whole.

Nearby

Beijing with the Forbidden City and the Ming Tombs are within reach.

Key facts