One of the 7 wonders in the world. I always wanted to visit this great all and all I know it's just great. It's one of the few man-made buildings in the old age which can been seen from space.
Stretching 6,400 km spanning from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. It is also the largest human-made structure ever built in therms of surface area and mass. Well, with its shear length, it's definitely the longest human-made structure in the world too. The wall is 10 metres tall, 3 metres wide and is cost about 550,000 tonnes of silver - the biggest funded structure at that time.
So, shall we go into the history of this great feat made by man? To be honest, I don't think I want to bore you with too much history so I will cut to the chase. Basically, the idea of the wall started with a small line of defense which began around the 8th century BC in smaller states of Qi, Yan and Zhao.
Then we had Qin Shi Huang conquering all opposing states and unifying China in 221 BC establishing the Qin Dynasty. He too constructed new wall to connect the remaining fortifications along the empire's new northern frontier.
The Great Wall concept was revived again during the Ming Dynasty following the Ming army's defeat by the Mongols in the Battle of Tumu in 1449. The grand wall was to have 3,000 towers and spanned up to 2,000 km. The Ming had failed to gain a clear upper-hand over the Mongols after successive battles, and the long-drawn conflict was taking a toll on the empire.
Unlike the earlier Qin fortifications, the Ming construction was stronger and more elaborate due to the use of bricks and stone instead of rammed earth. Transporting the large quantity of materials required for construction was difficult, so builders always tried to use local resources. Stones from the mountains were used over mountain ranges, while rammed earth was used for construction in the plains.
As Mongol raids continued periodically over the years, the Ming devoted considerable resources to repair and reinforce the walls. Sections near the Ming capital of Beijing were especially strengthened.
Towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall helped defend the empire against the Manchu invasions that began around 1600. The Manchus were finally able to cross the Great Wall in 1644 due to a corrupt Ming border general, Wu Sangui. The Manchus quickly seized Beijing, and defeated the newly founded Shun Dynasty and remaining Ming resistance, to establish the Qing Dynasty.
Under Qing rule, China's borders extended beyond the walls and Mongolia was annexed into the empire, so construction and repairs on the Great Wall were discontinued.
So, there some history lesson for you guys. A bit long I know but it's part of our Chinese history. My wish now is to go to Beijing for the Olympics. I can't wait for it. I'm sure they will put a grand show for the world.
Stretching 6,400 km spanning from Shanhaiguan in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. It is also the largest human-made structure ever built in therms of surface area and mass. Well, with its shear length, it's definitely the longest human-made structure in the world too. The wall is 10 metres tall, 3 metres wide and is cost about 550,000 tonnes of silver - the biggest funded structure at that time.
So, shall we go into the history of this great feat made by man? To be honest, I don't think I want to bore you with too much history so I will cut to the chase. Basically, the idea of the wall started with a small line of defense which began around the 8th century BC in smaller states of Qi, Yan and Zhao.
Then we had Qin Shi Huang conquering all opposing states and unifying China in 221 BC establishing the Qin Dynasty. He too constructed new wall to connect the remaining fortifications along the empire's new northern frontier.
The Great Wall concept was revived again during the Ming Dynasty following the Ming army's defeat by the Mongols in the Battle of Tumu in 1449. The grand wall was to have 3,000 towers and spanned up to 2,000 km. The Ming had failed to gain a clear upper-hand over the Mongols after successive battles, and the long-drawn conflict was taking a toll on the empire.
Unlike the earlier Qin fortifications, the Ming construction was stronger and more elaborate due to the use of bricks and stone instead of rammed earth. Transporting the large quantity of materials required for construction was difficult, so builders always tried to use local resources. Stones from the mountains were used over mountain ranges, while rammed earth was used for construction in the plains.
As Mongol raids continued periodically over the years, the Ming devoted considerable resources to repair and reinforce the walls. Sections near the Ming capital of Beijing were especially strengthened.
Towards the end of the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall helped defend the empire against the Manchu invasions that began around 1600. The Manchus were finally able to cross the Great Wall in 1644 due to a corrupt Ming border general, Wu Sangui. The Manchus quickly seized Beijing, and defeated the newly founded Shun Dynasty and remaining Ming resistance, to establish the Qing Dynasty.
Under Qing rule, China's borders extended beyond the walls and Mongolia was annexed into the empire, so construction and repairs on the Great Wall were discontinued.
So, there some history lesson for you guys. A bit long I know but it's part of our Chinese history. My wish now is to go to Beijing for the Olympics. I can't wait for it. I'm sure they will put a grand show for the world.
They also have the Great Wall Marathon.
The Great Wall during winter.
Isn't it just great.
1 comment:
Good words.
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