How Big is the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is the largest man-made structure in the world. But in China, people usually will not use the word “big” to describe the Great Wall. Its Chinese name “长城” means long wall. So here we will use some numbers about its length, height, and width, and some landmarks such as its biggest watchtower, pass, and fortress to show you how big the Great Wall of China is.
Great Wall of China Size – Length, Height, Width
As it is hard to measure the volume or floor space of the Great Wall, here we will talk about the size of the Great Wall of China from its length, height, and width.
Length: The total length of the Great Wall is 21196.18km (13170 miles), among which the well-preserved Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644) Great Wall is 8851km (5,500 miles).>>Read More about How Long is the Great Wall of China
Height: The average height of the walls is 7.8m (25.6 feet) and the tallest is 14m (46 feet). The altitude of the highest point (Huanglouwa) of the Great Wall is 1439.3 meters (4722.1 feet).>>Read More about How Tall is the Great Wall of China
Width: The top of the Great Wall is about 4-5m (13-16 feet) wide in average. The base is usually wider, whose average width is about 6.5m (21 feet). But in different sections, this may differ greatly from the average, for example, the width of Juyonguan section of the Great Wall on the top ranges from 1.2m (4 feet) to 16.7m (55 feet).
Biggest Watchtower on the Great Wall – Nine-Eye Tower
There are hundreds of watchtowers on the Great Wall, some stand still and some has been weathered over time. Nine-eye Tower (Jiuyanlou 九眼楼), the largest watchtower at the highest level, is located at the border of Yanqing County and Huairou County, about 110km to the north of Beijing center. With an altitude of 1141m, it is said that people can see Beijing city from here on clear days.
Built in A.D. 1543, Nine-eye Tower is a two-storey square watchtower with 9 look-out holes (1.65m/5.4 feet in height, 0.5m/1.64 feet in width) on each side of the walls. That is also how it gets its name. Now the remaining first storey is 7.8m (25.59 feet) high and 13m (42.65 feet) wide with a 1.2m (3.9 feet) wide circular walkway inside. This solid watchtower provides sufficient space for weapon or food storage and is a very good residence for the guarding soldiers in the past. There is a door (2m/6.6 feet high and 1.2m/3.9 feet wide) on each of the four sides so that people can get through the watchtower conveniently.
A big watchtower at Jinshanling Great Wall
Biggest Pass on the Great Wall
The countless large and small passes form an important part of the defensive system of the Great Wall. The biggest pass on the Great Wall remains a question because some passes are close in size and they are usually compared by their importance. Even so, we can still name some of them that are beyond doubt one of the biggest passes both in size and significance, for example, Shanhaiguan Pass (山海关).
Shanhaiguan, located in Qinhuangdao, Heibei Province, is one of the three greatest mountain passes of the Great Wall of China (the other two are Juyongguan居庸关 and Jiayuguan嘉峪关). It is built in A.D. 1381 with a perimeter of about 4km (2.5 miles). Its walls are 14m (46 feet) high and 7m (23 feet) thick. On the east gate called Zhendongmen (镇东门) stands a grand city tower. Its base is 12m (39.4 feet) high and the tower reaches 13m (42.6 feet). It is 10.1m (33.1 feet) on east-west side and 19.7m (64.4 feet) on south-north side. No wonder it is reputed as “the First Pass under Heaven”.
Our Customers at Jiayuguan Pass
Biggest Fortress on the Great Wall – Zhenbeitai
Zhenbeitai (镇北台), located in Yulin, Shaanxi Province, is one of the most magnificent buildings of the Great Wall. It is known as one of the three wonders of the Great Wall of China (the other two are Shanhaiguan in the east and Jiayuguan in the west) and is titled as the "Greatest Fortress of the Ten-Thousand Mile Long Wall (万里长城第一台)".
Zhenbeitai is built in A.D. 1607. It is a square structure with four floors and a height of more than 30m (98.4 feet). Its base is 82m (269 feet) long in the north, 76m (249.3 feet) in the south, 64m (210 feet) in the east and west, covering an area of 5056 square meters. Standing on the top, you will have a panoramic view of the scenes for miles around.
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
- Why was the Great Wall of China Built
- How Old is the Great Wall of China
- Can You See the Great Wall from Space
- How was the Great Wall of China Built
- Where is the Great Wall of China Located
- Who Built the Great Wall of China
- When was the Great Wall of China Built
- How Long is the Great Wall of China
- How Tall is the Great Wall of China
Great Wall of China Guide
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