The great Wall Of China
by
Ming-húa Lee
The Great Wall of China, the world's longest wall and biggest ancient architecture, 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).
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated, with watch-towers and cannons added, over a 200 year period.
The crenellated battlements on the outer side of the Wall provided cover for archers who could fire at the enemy through special slits. These slits were narrow on the inside but wide on the outside so the archers had a wide angle of vision while enjoying maximum protection. The slits were lower for the archers and higher for the lookouts.The low parapet on inner side of the wall, usually one meter high was built to prevent both men and horses from falling off the wall.
A stunning array of scenery can be viewed from the Great Wall. The beaches of Qinhuangdao, to rugged mountains around Beijing, to a desert corridor between tall mountain ranges at Jiayu Pass are all perfectly visible. The tourists can enjoy the scenic beauty of all these places just by paying a visit to the Great Wall.
Best time to visit the Great Wall differs from section to section. Beijing section is best visited in spring or autumn, Jiayu Pass in May to October and Shanhai Pass in summer and early autumn. The beauty of these places in their particular season is completely marvelous. The tourists also collect popular souvenirs and local products like the Great Wall paintings, "I've climbed the Great Wall" T-shirts, Great Wall fragments and what not!
Many parts of the Great Wall are gone, a lot are succumbing to the elements. Some Great Wall have been buried by the desert, some destroyed by people. Still, the Wall stands silently, enduring the passage of time and greeting the changes of seasons. If the Great Wall could talk, it would have many stories to tell. If you listen long enough, maybe you will hear one.
