The Great Wall! The history and architecture are on an extraordinary scale!

The Great Wall of China is a magnificent defensive structure that crosses northern China, and is widely known as one of the world's largest architectural heritage sites. Built intermittently by several dynasties from around the 7th century BC, the Great Wall was completed during the Ming Dynasty and can still be seen in many areas today. It not only served as a defense structure, but was also deeply involved in inter-ethnic exchange and cultural development, and was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

This article provides a comprehensive introduction to the Great Wall, from its origins to its structure, cultural significance, and preservation efforts.

Basic information about the Great Wall

Registered name and location of the World Heritage Site

The official name of the UNESCO World Heritage Site is "The Great Wall," and it was registered as a cultural heritage site in 1987. This huge defensive structure, built to cross northern China from east to west, spans 15 current provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China.The total length is more than 20,000 km.It is estimated that...

Its remains are distributed across several regions, including the capital Beijing, as well as Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. This structure, which once played a role in the unification and security of China, has now become a symbol of the country.

Scope and main areas of the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China, as a World Heritage Site, is registered as a component part, focusing on the sections that are particularly well preserved and have high historical value. The registered parts are mainly city walls built during the Ming Dynasty, and representative remains include Badaling and Mutianyu in Beijing, Shanhaiguan in Hebei Province, and Jiayuguan in Gansu Province. These areas include not only city walls, but also various military facilities such as enemy forts, beacons, checkpoints, and forts, conveying to us today a systematic defense network that combines military strategy and architectural technology.

The property as a whole is made up of several fragmentary sections, each showing the historical context and building techniques of different eras.

Historical background of the Great Wall and purpose of its construction

The beginnings and evolution of construction in ancient China

The origins of the Great Wall date back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period around the 7th century BC.Defensive walls built by various feudal states to prevent invasions by foreign tribesThese are considered to be the prototypes of the Great Wall. These were built independently by each country and were not yet a unified Great Wall.

In 221 B.C.The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, connected and extended these walls.This wall was built as a major defensive line against the horse-riding tribes, the Xiongnu, from the north. This Qin Dynasty Great Wall is the origin of the concept of the modern-day Great Wall.

Since then, repairs and extensions have been made over the years, and its shape and size have changed under different dynasties.

Characteristics of each period, such as Qin, Han, and Ming

The Great Wall of the Qin Dynasty was built mainly using a method called "tamped earth," in which earth is tamped down, and although its structure was simple, it functioned as a large-scale defensive line. During the subsequent Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), as the power of the Han Dynasty expanded, the Great Wall was extended further north, and it also came to play a role in protecting the connection with the Silk Road. In particular, the Great Wall was built in the Gansu and Xinjiang regions with the aim of strengthening military control over the Western Regions.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the largest and most robust Great Wall was constructed to counter the threat of Mongolian forces from the north. The Great Wall of this period is characterized by its sturdy structure made of stone and brick, and many of the best-preserved sections we see today date to the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Great Wall was not just a wall, but a defense network consisting of a series of military facilities including forts, beacons, bastions, and checkpoints, and can be considered the culmination of military architecture by successive Chinese dynasties.

Construction techniques and structural features of the Great Wall

Building materials and structural innovations of the Great Wall

The Great Wall isThe building materials used vary greatly depending on the era and region in which they were built.During the early Qin and Han dynasties, materials such as locally collected soil, reeds, and wood were mainly used, and a construction method called "tamped earth" was the mainstream. However, during the Ming dynasty, technology improved dramatically, with stone being used more frequently in mountainous areas and baked bricks in the plains. Particularly in Badaling near Beijing, granite and gray bricks are neatly stacked, dramatically improving the strength and durability of the structures.

The height and width of the walls are adjusted according to the terrain and defensive requirements.The average height is about 7-8 meters, and the width at the top is about 4-5 meters.Yes. The upper surface was paved to make it easier for soldiers to move around, and it also functioned as a passageway. The construction's clever use of the terrain and ingenious selection of materials demonstrate the high level of civil engineering and architectural technology in ancient China.

Defensive design and strategic role

The Great Wall isNot just a "wall" but an advanced defense system designed based on military strategyIt was also a major factor. Watchtowers called "enemy towers" were set up at regular intervals on the Great Wall to monitor enemy movements. In addition, "beacon towers," a form of communication using fire and smoke, were also placed in various locations, creating a system that allowed communication with points hundreds of kilometers away.

In addition, fortified facilities such as "checkpoints" and "redirui" were set up at strategically important locations, and functioned as soldier garrisons and supply bases. The entire Great Wall was built in a way that skillfully incorporated natural features such as mountains and valleys, forming an overwhelming visual and physical barrier against invaders. These structures were the culmination of the excellent military and architectural knowledge of ancient China, proving that the Great Wall is more than just a piece of architecture; it is a symbol of civilization.

The Cultural and Symbolic Value of the Great Wall

A symbol of inter-ethnic exchange and defense

The Great Wall is often emphasized as a "defence wall",In reality, it was not just a battleground for different ethnic groups, but also a stage for exchange.There was trade and cultural exchange between the nomadic peoples of the north and the agricultural peoples of the Central Plains, and the area around the Great Wall was a point of contact for this. Particularly during the Han and Tang dynasties, it also functioned as part of the Silk Road, and played a role in regulating and managing the flow of people, goods, and culture.

It also had an extremely sophisticated function as a defense facility, and because it was constructed systematically under a centralized system, it also became a symbol of national power. In other words, the Great Wall is not simply a structure built to prevent invasions, but also a testament to the history of multiple ethnic groups coexisting together, sometimes in conflict.

Spiritual symbols in modern China

In today's China, the Great Wall is not just a historical heritage, but is widely recognized as a source of national pride and spiritual symbol. In Chinese, the "Great Wall" is sometimes used to symbolize the "soul of the Chinese nation," and it has become a symbol of the unified nation and an icon demonstrating the endurance of Chinese civilization.

It also frequently appears in school education and patriotic education, and is well known to both domestic and international tourists as a "landscape representative of China." It is also used as a symbol of the Olympics and other international events, making it a central part of modern Chinese identity in both cultural and political terms.

Evaluation points for the Great Wall's inscription as a World Heritage Site

Registration criteria and evaluation reasons

The Great Wall was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 based on its cultural values which meet the six criteria for inscription: (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi).

Criterion (i)The Great Wall is one of the most spectacular architectural achievements in human history, remarkable for its scale, technical precision and aesthetic balance. The stone and brick structures built during the Ming Dynasty in particular were a testament to human ingenuity and construction skill.

Criterion (ii): Built through multiple dynasties, the Great Wall is an example of the continuous succession of different cultures and technologies, each influencing the other. Developments in architectural techniques and military strategies are evident throughout the wall.

Criterion (iii)The Great Wall is a monumental embodiment of the military, social and political fabric of Chinese civilization, as well as a cultural testament to national unity and ethnic identity.

Criterion (iv)The sections of the Great Wall built by different dynasties are outstanding examples of the development of defensive architecture and have historical value as model cases of urban planning and defensive systems.

Criterion (vi)The Great Wall is a spiritual and symbolic presence that appears repeatedly in Chinese history, literature, art and legend, and is regarded as a symbol of national unity and independence.

reference:"The Great Wall(UNESCO)

The current status of conservation and management of the Great Wall

The State Administration of Cultural Heritage of China and local governments play a central role in the conservation of the Great Wall, carrying out management tasks such as regular inspections, restoration, and record keeping. In 2006, the "Great Wall Protection Regulations" were enacted, establishing a legal framework to regulate inappropriate development and tourism activities on the Great Wall. In addition, conservation zones and buffer zones have been established along the Great Wall, and land use management is also carried out to protect the entire cultural landscape.

In recent years, deterioration due to wind and rain and damage due to an increase in tourists have become issues, and efforts are being made to record and restore the site using the latest technology, such as drones and 3D scanning. In addition, emphasis is being placed on raising awareness among local residents and working with the local community, and a comprehensive conservation system is being built to pass on the site's value as a cultural heritage to future generations.

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What did you think?

The Great Wall of China is not just overwhelming in its grandeur as a defensive wall; it also conveys the weight of history and the feelings of the people that are embodied within it, making me realize once again that it is something that should be passed down through the ages.

It makes you want to actually stand there and see the view from the top of the Great Wall.