Great Wall of China

An ancient fortification built by the first emperor

This is the name given to a series of fortification systems generally built across the ancient northern borders of China to protect and consolidate territories of Chinese states and empires against the many nomadic groups of the steppe and their polities. Several walls were in progress from the early 7th century BC by asncient Chinese state with some sections joined together by the first emperor of China Qin Shi Huang, Many successive dynasties have expanded and maintained stretches of border walls. The best-known sections were built by the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and the longest section is the Great Wall of Han.

Although principally known as a defensive structure there were other purposes including border controls allowing regulation or encouragement of trade and the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road. The defensive side of the structures was improved by the addition of watchtowers, garrison stations and signalling capability using fire and smoke. Collectively they stretch from Liaodong in the East to Lop Lake in the West and from the present-day Sino-Russian border in the North to the Tao (Taohe) River in the South.

With the first emperor having unified China in 221BC he ordered the destruction of sections of the wall dividing the empire among former states. In addition, he ordered the building of new walls connecting the fortifications along the northern border. Later on the Han, Northern Dynasties and Sui all repaired, rebuilt or expanded sections of the Great Wall at great cost to defend against northern invaders.

The Great Wall concept was resurrected under the Ming dynasty in 14thj century after being defeated in the Battle of Tumu they decided on a strategy to keep out tribes by constructing walls along the northern border. Towards the end of the dynasty it helped to defend against the Manchus invasions c.1600. The Manchu eventually crossed the wall in 1644 and formed an alliance with the Ming commander Wu Sangui, however, the Manchus seized Beijing and finally defeated the rebel-founded Shun dynasty and any resistance left which established the Qing dynasty rule over the whole of China. It first became a tourist attraction after China was defeated in the Opium Wars and China opened up its borders to foreigners. Contrary to a popular myth it cannot be seen from space.