Can You See the Great Wall of China from Space?
Built from millenniums ago, some sections of the Great Wall of China were believed visible, seen from space. Actually, you are able to trace the Great Wall by zooming in some certain pictures taken by the satellite, which seems like a confirmation that the Walls of China do deserve the "Great".
However, the answer for the rational doubt above about the Great Wall is a capital No, and it's more like a popular urban myth that the Great Wall can be seen with the unaided naked eye from Space.
Answers from Astronauts
Buzz Aldrin, the second person landed on the moon in 1969, said he didn't see the Great Wall from the moon when asked about it.
Even the first astronaut of China, Yang Liwei said that he couldn't tell the great wall from the capsule window during his stay in space in 2003.
Later, Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut who has spent about 5 months at the International Space in 2012-2013, also confirmed that via Twitter, "The Great Wall of China is not visible from orbit with the naked eye. It's too narrow, and it follows the natural contours and colours of the landscape."
Why can't We See the Great Wall from Space?
The Great Wall of China officially is a maximum 9.1 m (30 ft) wide, and for most of its length is about the same color as the soil surrounding it (made mostly of soil or stones from nearby regions), which makes it tricky to find even in a high-resolution satellite photo from Low Earth Orbit. If you are not familiar with the location of different Great Wall sections, it is even harder to find them. Seen from the Space, our mother planet is just like a white-and-blue little ball, let alone a 9.1m wide wall, and it will be invisible if over 30km height due to the incapability of human eyes. Even you may think the length of the wall affects your visibility, the thickness of the Great Wall is so small that is pretty bad for a large stretch, and to look for the Great Wall from space is like to ask a person to find a worm in a vast forest from over 1 km away.
Pictures of the Great Wall of China from Space
Although the Great Wall couldn't be seen by the unaided eyes, if patient, you can still pick out the Great Wall from some high-resolution space-based photographs which were taken from a satellite, and these pictures are able to show the detailed man-made features quite distinctly.
In fact, NASA says astronauts can indeed see cities, highways, bridges, dams and airports, as well as city lights at night — all from in orbit.
In 2004, the US astronaut Leroy Chiao took the first verifiable picture of the Great Wall on the International Space Station. This photo show several sections of the Great Wall in a region of Inner Mongolia, northern China, though he could not really see the wall with his unaided eyes at that time.
How to Plan A Great Wall Tour
There are several sections of the Great Wall around Beijing, each requiring about one day to visit, explore, and return to the city. For most travelers visiting Beijing, a trip to the Great Wall is a must-do. The Mutianyu Great Wall is a popular choice for many, as it offers stunning views, is less crowded, and is relatively close to Beijing. It is also equipped with convenient cable cars for easy access.
For hiking enthusiasts or those seeking a more in-depth experience, we recommend exploring some of the other iconic sections of the Wall. The Jingshanling Great Wall is one of the most scenic sections, while the Simatai Great Wall offers a more rugged, less-developed experience with a breathtaking night view. For a unique lakeside experience, visit the Huanghuacheng. If you're looking for a more traditional experience, the Badaling Great Wall is the most famous and beautiful, though it tends to be quite crowded. Since they are close to each other, the Mutianyu and Huanghuacheng sections can be visited in one trip, while Jinshanling and Simatai are often combined. A daytime visit to Jinshanling followed by a nighttime exploration of Simatai offers a unique experience you won't forget.
Top-Recommended Great Wall Hiking Tours
☛ 2 Days Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall Wild Hiking
☛ 2 Days Jinshanling & Simatai Night Great Wall Tour
☛ 2 Days Mutianyu & Huanghuacheng Lakeside Great Walls Hiking Tour
If it's your first time in Beijing, don't miss the city's other iconic attractions, such as the Forbidden City, a masterpiece of imperial architecture, and the serene Summer Palace with its beautiful gardens and lakes. Be sure to visit the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or explore the Lama Temple for a taste of Tibetan Buddhism in Beijing. With so much to see, Beijing offers a rich blend of history and culture that’s sure to leave you inspired!
Top-Recommended Beijing Tours including Great Wall Experiences
☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour Package with Mutianyu Great Wall
☛ 4 Days Beijing Essence Tour with Simatai Great Wall Night Sightseeing
☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
Jinshanling Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall
Forbidden City
Great Wall of China Facts
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Great Wall of China Guide
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Beijing / Xian / Shanghai
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