Great Wall of China

NOTABLE SECTIONS OF THE GREAT WALL

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire 

Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC these, 

later joined together and made bigger and stronger, 

are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall

Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, 

allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road,

 regulation or encouragement of trade and the 

control of immigration and emigration.

The Chinese were already familiar with the techniques of

 wall-building by the time of the Spring and Autumn period 

between the 8th and 5th centuries BC

The sections of the Great Wall around Beijing municipality are

 especially famous 

they were frequently renovated and are regularly 

visited by tourists today. 

The Badaling Great Wall near Zhangjiakou is the most famous 

stretch of the Wall, 

for this was the first section to be opened to the public

 in the People's Republic of China, 

as well as the showpiece stretch for foreign dignitaries

The Great Wall

Before the use of bricks, the Great Wall was mainly built 

from rammed earth, stones, and wood. During the Ming Dynasty, 

however, bricks were heavily used in many areas of the wall, 

as were materials such as tiles, lime, and stone. 

The size and weight of the bricks made them easier to work 

with than earth and stone, so construction quickened.

One of the earliest known references to this myth appears in a letter written

 in 1754 by the English antiquary William Stukeley. 

Stukeley wrote that, "This mighty wall of four score miles in length 

(Hadrian's Wall) is only exceeded by the Chinese Wall, 

which makes a considerable figure upon the terrestrial globe,

 and may be discerned at the Moon."

General travel tips for visiting the Great Wall:

• Beijing is the best departure point for visiting the Wall (either tour, public bus or taxi)

• If you have a small group, hiring a taxi is a good option, allowing you to easily see different parts of the wall (4 people max). Hotels can arrange an English speaking private car, but expect to pay over Y1500 for the day. If you negotiate directly with a Beijing taxi driver, aim for somewhere around Y400-600 (depending on destinations, day of the week, weather, etc). It’ll be much more if you use the meter so negotiate directly with the driver (and don’t pay until the end of the day). Note: he’ll expect you to also pay for his lunch.

• Beat the tour bus crowds (especially if going to Badaling). Head out either super-early or late afternoon (bonus: you’ll have the best light for photos).

• Most of the tourists are domestic Chinese….who prefer to take tour buses. So,avoid weekends if possible, particularly during the summer (advice for any major tourist attraction in China).

• Though it’s the most touristy, Badaling is the easiest (least steep) section, so recommended if you have small children or will have difficulty hiking. It’s also the closest to Beijing if you’re short on time. On the upside, it’s the most popular for a reason: it offers excellent views.

Great Wall at Jinshanling

Staying at the Great Wall

Sleeping overnight at the Great Wall is a great experience and there are an increasing number of options available. For example, budget travelers can camp out on the wall itself at Jinshanling or find a cheap hotel around Simatai. Some tour companies, such as Cycle China, often include an overnight stay at a small village near the Wall.

Commune by the Great Wall

If money isn’t an issue, some unforgettable upmarket options are the Red Capital Ranch at Xiaguandi village (www.redcapitalclub.com.cn) and the Commune at Shuiguan (www.commune.com.cn)