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As one of the greatest wonders of the world, the Great Wall of China was
enlisted in the World Heritage Site in 1987. Winding through deserts, grasslands,
mountains, and plateaus, the Great Wall is approximately 6,700 kilometers long.
The Wall stretches from a seaport in the east coast f China to Xinjiang in the
North West. Carrying with itself a past of more than 2000 years old, its architectural
splendor and historical significance has made the Great Wall of China the most
alluring attraction of the world.
History:
The Great Wall of China was built as a defensive fortification of Yan, Zhao,
and Qin during the Spring, Autumn, and Warring States Periods. The wall was
separated before the Qin Dynasty. To defend the invasion of the Huns, Emperor
Qin Shihuang, decided to get the walls joined. It took the efforts of more than
a million peasants, soldiers, and prisoners to build this wall for over a century.
The Great Wall was formerly known as Ten Thousand Li Wall referring to the length
of the wall. The width and height of the Wall vary from 6 meters to 8 meters
wide and 4 meters to 8 meters high.
Sites on the Great Wall of China:
Besides the Watch towers there are four major sites on the Great Wall. All
these sites are located towards the north of Beijing.
Badaling - This site is located at a distance of just two kilometers
from Beijing. Built somewhat around 500 years back, this part of the Wall has
been renovated several times by the government. This has made it much easier
for the climbers to mount the wall from here.
Mutianya - Travel for one more hour from Badaling and you will reach
Mutianya. This remarkable site of the China Walls seems like a blessing surrounded
with its abundant natural beauty. Climbing the wall from here could be difficult
as its steeper than Badaling. You can take the cable car ride if you choose
not to climb up the wall.
Simatai - This destination takes about four hours from Beijing and is
visited by much lesser tourists. The wall is much steeper here with no cable
car facilities. Therefore it is advised not to climb the wall from here those
who are not physically fit.
Shixiaguan - Located closest to Beijing, the Shixiaguan section is very
easy to climb.
The best time to visit the Great Wall of China is during May and October.
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