W
ho has NOT heard about The Great Wall of China? No one, I guess. Even young children are already fascinated by one of mankind's greatest achievements. Visit the wall and you'll never be the same!
The world's longest human-made structure measures 6,400 km or 4,000 miles, or that's what is believed. Due to the rough terrain it is not entirely clear how long it is, but the aforementioned number comes close.
It is often said the Great Wall of China is so big it can even be seen from the moon.
However, this is an urban legend, dating back from times mankind still had to visit the moon. No astronaut who actually went to the moon said he had seen the wall. This is easy to understand when you know it is only 10 meters or 30 feet wide (at maximum) and has about the same color as its surroundings.
Another myth says the Great Wall of China surrounds China.
Not true: it lies in the northeast of the country. It was built between the 5th century BC and the 16th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire. The current borders of the country are much further north and further west.
The oldest parts are made of earth, stones and wood. Later also bricks, tiles and lime were used. Watchtowers were built for storing weapons.
Several sections close to Beijing were renovated and now attract millions of tourists each year. Other parts, in more remote areas, are often in a rather poor condition or have been destroyed to make space for a new construction.
Visiting the Great Wall of China is an unforgettable experience. It's the highlight of many trips to Asia. However, be aware the wall is often very steep. Elderly people may have trouble keeping their balance and many never walk further than a few kilometers. Stairs are uneven, the surface is rough and the wall is sometimes only a few meters wide - which can be a problem if there are many people walking by.
And still, it's something you should not miss!
The most popular place to enter this megastructure is Badaling, 80 km northwest of Beijing. There's a new expressway connecting Badaling with the capital. Here most tour groups come. No wonder it's very busy. The portion was constructed during the Ming Dynasty.
If you prefer a quieter section, I recommend Mutianyu, 70 km northeast of Beijing. It is also well-preserved, surrounded by forests and rivers and includes no less than 22 watchtowers. At Mutianyu the wall is 7 to 8 meters high and 4 to 5 meters wide.
No matter if you find it too touristy or not, you haven't seen China if you haven't been to the wall.
Most people visit the Great Wall during their stay in Beijing. For the best deals on hotels in Beijing, check out http://www.hotelscombined.com/City/Beijing.htm?a_aid=4d780272
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