Great Wall of China facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Great Wall of China
萬里長城 / 万里长城
The Ming dynasty Great Wall at Jinshanling
General information
Type	Fortification
Country	China
Coordinates	40°41′N 117°14′E / 40.68°N 117.23°E / 40.68; 117.23
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	The Great Wall
Location	Asia-Pacific
Criteria	Cultural: i, ii, iii, iv, vi
Inscription	1987 (11th Session)
Area	2,151.55 ha (5,316.6 acres)
Buffer zone	4,800.8 ha (11,863 acres)
Technical details
Size	21,196.18 km (13,170.70 mi)

The Great Wall of China is a giant series of walls and forts in China. It was built over many centuries to protect ancient Chinese states from nomadic groups from the north. The first walls were built as early as the 7th century BC. Over time, different emperors connected and expanded these walls. The most famous and well-preserved sections were built by the Ming dynasty (1368–1644).

Stretching for thousands of kilometers, the Great Wall is not just one long wall. It is a complex defense system with watchtowers, barracks for soldiers, and signal stations. These were used to spot enemies and send messages using smoke or fire. The wall also served as a form of border control, managing trade along the famous Silk Road.

In total, all the different parts of the wall stretch for 21,196.18 km (13,170.70 mi). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007. Today, the Great Wall is considered one of the most amazing building projects in all of history.

What's in a Name?

This old map from the year 1136 shows the Great Wall along the northern edge of China.

The Great Wall of China has had several names throughout history.

In Chinese, it is most commonly called Chángchéng (长城), which simply means "Long Wall."

A longer, more poetic name is Wànlǐ Chángchéng (万里长城). This translates to "Ten-Thousand Mile Long Wall." In ancient China, the number "ten-thousand" was often used to mean a number so large it was hard to count, like "immeasurable." So, the name really means the "immeasurably long wall."

In English, people used to call it "the Chinese wall." By the 1800s, the name "the Great Wall of China" became the common name we use today.

History of the Great Wall

The First Walls

A map showing the Great Wall built during the Qin dynasty.

Long before China was a single country, people there already knew how to build strong walls. Between the 8th and 5th centuries BC, China was divided into several rival states. Many of these states built walls on their borders to protect themselves from each other and from nomadic tribes. These early walls were mostly made from packed earth and gravel.

In 221 BC, the state of Qin conquered its rivals and united China. The first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, wanted to protect his new empire from the Xiongnu people in the north. He ordered that the old walls on the northern border be connected and strengthened. This became the first "Great Wall." Builders used whatever materials they could find nearby, like stone from mountains or earth from the plains.

Later dynasties, like the Han, also repaired and added to the wall to defend against northern invaders.

The Mighty Ming Wall

A map showing the walls built by the Ming dynasty.

The most famous sections of the Great Wall were built during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). After facing threats from Mongol tribes, the Ming emperors decided to build a stronger and more advanced wall.

Instead of just using packed earth, Ming builders used bricks and stone. This made the wall much stronger and more durable. They built thousands of watchtowers along the wall. The sections near the capital, Beijing, were made especially strong. A famous general named Qi Jiguang helped to build and reinforce over 1,200 watchtowers.

Near the end of the Ming dynasty, the wall helped defend China from invasions by the Manchu people. For a time, the Manchus could not get past the heavily guarded Shanhai Pass. However, in 1644, a Ming general opened the gates, allowing the Manchus to cross. They went on to establish the Qing dynasty, which ruled China for over 250 years.

Under Qing rule, China's borders expanded, and the Great Wall was no longer needed for defense. Construction on the wall stopped.

Where Does the Wall Go?

The Great Wall is not a single, continuous line. It is a network of walls, trenches, and forts that stretches across northern China. It runs from Liaodong in the east to Lop Lake in the west.

In 2012, a detailed survey found that all the sections of the wall, from different dynasties, add up to a total length of 21,196.18 km (13,170.70 mi). The wall built by the Ming dynasty alone is about 8,850 km (5,500 mi) long.

Famous Sections of the Wall

Jiayu Pass was the western end of the Ming Great Wall.

Some parts of the Great Wall are very famous and are often visited by tourists.

• Jiayu Pass: Located in Gansu province, this was the western end of the Ming Great Wall. It was a key fort in the desert.
• Badaling: This is the most famous section and was the first to be opened to tourists. It is close to Beijing and is very well-preserved.
• Mutianyu: Known for its beautiful scenery and well-restored watchtowers, this section winds along steep mountains.
• Jinshanling: This section is famous for its steep climbs and amazing views. It has many original features and is popular with hikers.
• Shanhai Pass: This is where the Great Wall meets the Bohai Gulf. The part of the wall that goes into the sea is called the "Old Dragon Head."

How Was the Wall Built?

The Great Wall at Jinshanling climbs very steep hills.

The construction of the Great Wall changed over time.

• Early Materials: The first walls were mostly made of rammed earth (dirt packed down very tightly), stones, and wood.
• Ming Dynasty Materials: During the Ming dynasty, builders used bricks, tiles, lime, and stone. Bricks were easier to carry and faster to build with than packed earth.
• Sticky Rice Mortar: To hold the bricks together, workers used a special mortar made from sticky rice soup mixed with slaked lime. This made the wall very strong. Despite some myths, no bones were ever used in the mortar.

The wall was designed for defense.

• Watchtowers and Signals: Towers were built on high points so guards could see far away. If they spotted an enemy, they would light fires or send up smoke signals to warn other soldiers.
• Defensive Features: The top of the wall has battlements, which are low walls with gaps for archers to shoot through.
• Barracks and Stables: Buildings for soldiers to live in, along with stables for their horses, were built along the inner side of the wall.

The Great Wall Today

A section of the wall in the countryside that is in need of repair.

While some parts of the Great Wall near big cities are well-kept for tourists, many other parts are in disrepair.

• Damage Over Time: Some sections have crumbled away due to wind and rain. In some desert areas, sandstorms have buried parts of the wall.
• Human Impact: In the past, people took stones from the wall to build their houses and roads. Some parts have also been damaged by graffiti or destroyed to make way for new construction.
• Preservation Efforts: The Chinese government is working to protect the wall, but its great length makes this a huge challenge. In 2023, a section of the wall was badly damaged by construction workers who used an excavator to create a shortcut, showing that the wall is still at risk.

Can You See the Great Wall from Space?

There is a popular myth that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made object you can see from space with the naked eye. But is it true?

From the Moon?

No, you absolutely cannot see the Great Wall from the Moon. This is a very old myth. From the Moon, which is about 384,400 km away, the Great Wall would be as invisible as a single human hair seen from 3 km away. Even the astronauts who walked on the Moon confirmed they could not see it.

From Low Earth Orbit?

A satellite image of the Great Wall. On the right, the wall is outlined in red to make it easier to see.

Seeing the wall from low Earth orbit (about 160 to 320 km up) is also extremely difficult. NASA says it is barely visible and only under perfect conditions. It is no more visible than many other things, like highways or airports.

Some astronauts have said they thought they could see it, while others, including China's first astronaut, Yang Liwei, said they could not. An astronaut did take a photo from the International Space Station that showed a small section of the wall, but it was so faint that he wasn't sure he had captured it at first. So, while it might be possible with a camera and if you know exactly where to look, it's not easy to spot with just your eyes.

Cool Facts About the Great Wall

• The Great Wall stretches across 15 regions in northern China.
• About 50 million people visit the wall every year.
• The most popular part to visit is called Badaling, which is close to Beijing.
• The height of the wall changes a lot. Some parts are near sea level, while others are as high as 4,722 feet.
• Builders used sticky rice as a type of mortar to hold bricks together.
• The workers who built the wall included soldiers, farmers who were forced to help, convicts, and prisoners of war.
• Arsenic was sometimes used to stop insects from damaging parts of the wall.
• A section of the Great Wall helped protect the old trade route known as the Silk Road.
• One popular legend says a helpful dragon drew the path for the wall. Workers then followed this path.
• Every May, a special race called the Great Wall Marathon takes place on the wall.
• In some places, the Great Wall is wide enough to drive a car over it!

Images for kids

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  Huayi tu, a 1136 map of China with the Great Wall depicted on the northern edge of the country

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  The Great Wall of the Qin stretches from Lintao to Liaodong

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  The Great Wall of the Han is the longest of all walls, from Mamitu near Yumenguan to Liaodong

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  The extent of the Ming Empire and its walls

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  Part of the Great Wall of China (April 1853, X, p. 41)

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  The Great Wall in 1907

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  A more rural portion of the Great Wall that stretches through the mountains, here seen in slight disrepair

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  Identical satellite images of a section of the Great Wall in northern Shanxi, running diagonally from lower left to upper right and not to be confused with the more prominent river running from upper left to lower right. In the image on the right, the Great Wall has been outlined in red. The region pictured is 7 mi × 7 mi (11 km × 11 km).

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  Great Wall of Han dynasty near Yumenguan.

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  Ming dynasty Great Wall at Jinshanling

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  Remains of Beacon tower near Yumenguan, 2011

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  "The First Mound" – at Jiayu Pass, the western terminus of the Ming wall

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  The Great Wall near Jiayu Pass

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  Ming Great Wall remnant near Yinchuan

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  The Great Wall remnant at Yulin

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  The Great Wall at Badaling

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  The Juyongguan area of the Great Wall accepts numerous tourists each day

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  Gateway of Gubeikou Fortress

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  Environmental protection sign near Great Wall, 2011

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  Ming Great Wall at Simatai, overlooking the gorge

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  Mutianyu Great Wall. This is atop the wall on a section that has not been restored

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  The Old Dragon Head, the Great Wall where it meets the sea in the vicinity of Shanhai Pass

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  The Great Wall at dawn

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  Inside the watchtower

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  Badaling Great Wall during winter

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  The Great Wall at Badaling

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  The Great Wall at dawn

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  The Juyongguan area of the Great Wall accepts numerous tourists each day.

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  Remains of Beacon tower, near Yumenguan, 2011

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  "The First Mound" – at Jiayu Pass, the western terminus of the Ming wall

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  The Great Wall near Jiayu Pass, Qilian Mountains in behind

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  Ming Great Wall remnant, near Yinchuan

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  The Great Wall remnant at Yulin

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  Gateway of Gubeikou Fortress

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  Environmental protection sign, near Great Wall, 2011

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  Ming Great Wall at Simatai, overlooking the gorge

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  Mutianyu Great Wall. This is atop the wall on a section that has not been restored.

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  The Old Dragon Head, the Great Wall where it meets the sea in the vicinity of Shanhai Pass

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  Inside the watchtower

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  Inside a watchtower

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  Badaling Great Wall during winter

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  Great Wall in Yanqing, Beijing during winter

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  Tourists at The Great Wall in Yanqing, Beijing during Spring Festival

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  Tourists at The Great Wall

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  A sign discouraging climbing near an unrestored section in Huaibei

See also

In Spanish: Gran Muralla China para niños