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Walk the Great Wall of China
50 Things to do before you die
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 subjugating and 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 of China is one of the largest building construction projects
ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding
north and northwest of Beijing. The Great Wall is constructed of masonry, rocks
and packed-earth. The Great Wall of China was over 5,000 km (=10,000 Li) long.
The thickness of Great Wall of China 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
kilometres (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers
and cannons added.
The Great Wall can be seen from Earth orbit, but, contrary to legend, is not
visible from the moon, according to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, and
Jim Irwin.
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