China # 10 The Great Wall

The Great Wall of China was built over 2,000 years ago, by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China during the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty (221 B.C - 206 B.C.). In Chinese the wall is called "Wan-Li Qang-Qeng" which means 10,000-Li Long Wall (10,000 Li = about 5,000 km).

After uniting China from seven Warring States, the emperor connected and extended four old fortification walls along the north of China that originated about 700 B.C. (over 2500 years ago). Armies were stationed along the wall as a first line of defense against the invading nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes north of China (the Huns). Signal fires from the Wall provided early warning of an attack.

The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth. It was over 5,000 km (=10,000 Li) long. Its thickness ranged from about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) and was up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers and cannons added.
It is an amazing construction but it's estimated that several million Chinese lost their lives in the construction of this project. It also was guarded by about a million men during the Ming Dynasty. All along the wall at frequent intervals are the old watch towers. As we approached the wall this is one of the first views I got (taken on phone camera).
What you can't see from the photos is that the steps vary in height and this does make it quite difficult to get into a rhythm for climbing and descending.


I only went up a couple of levels and there were hand rails for poor old souls like me. Very rusty handrails that left you with bright orange hands at the end of the descent.The views are well worth the climb.
Two of our party dressed in tradition costumes.

Archives: 2008: Fun Monday-73 Fishy Tale or Two
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Planning a trip

Image Copyrighted by Historylink101.com & found at China Picture Gallery.

I was out all day today so didn't really have time to write a post. I met up with the three friends I'm going with on my trip to China next month. Another friend who went there many years ago brought all her photos for us to see and I think we are going to see some spectacular sights, but also a lot of poverty. I think you have to barter when buying things-now this is where my brother would be good he always tries to get discount on everything (and often succeeds).

We planned what we need to take with us- it's important to be sure we have hairdryers and a kettle and toilet paper! It's difficult to imagine that in many places that it may not be provided. Oh and I gather that facilities are, often, very basic! Marian advised us not to use the toilet s at the Great Wall-I somehow don't think I can walk and keep my legs crossed for that long so I've got a clothes peg for my nose! :)

I'm on countdown until April 27th....

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-60 Inspirational Quotes
2007: I'm barely half normal