Who Built the Great Wall of China

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, almost every state has joined to build the great wall in order to defend themselves or attack the other state. After Qin's unification of China, the first emperor Qin Shi Huang(秦始皇), ordered over millions of people to build the great wall and even some male citizens/peasants were forced to work for it with the soldiers, slaves, prisoners. Millions of the Chinese people constructed the Great Wall. The labor force mainly includes workers, soldiers, forcibly recruited peasants, slaves, convicts and prisoners.

For millenniums of laboring work, many people died in almost every dynasty and over 20,000 kilometers’ Great Wall was accomplished and scattered around the northern China and the central plains. It’s a man-made wonder, a incredible building by millions of industrious hands.

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Itinerary: Beijing
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Who Ordered the Great Wall of China to be Built

In addition to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 221 BC) and the Warring States Period (475 BC - 221 BC), almost every dynasty since the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC) has ordered the construction of the Great Wall to resist the attacks and aggression of other countries. Among them, Emperor Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) of Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC) and Wudi (汉武帝) of the Han Dynasty (201 BC – 8 AD) built in a larger scale. Because of the construction of the Great Wall of the Han Dynasty, it also contributes to the protection of the Silk Road. By the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD – 1620 AD), Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋), the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty, ordered the construction of the Great Wall. The existing Great Wall for tourists almost belong to the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty, including the Gubei Great Wall. In modern times, Mao Zedong (毛泽东) ordered the renovation of the Badaling Great Wall in 1957. Later, in 1978, Deng Xiaoping (邓小平) ordered the renovation of the Great Walls to open it to tourists at home and abroad.

Mutianyu Great Wall

Who Started the Great Wall of China

During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC - 221 BC), in order to fight for hegemony and defend each other, the Duke of Chu ordered to build the first Great Wall to resist the Qin, Qi and Jin States. The earliest building was the "Chufang City" (楚方城) in the 7th century BC.

Who Designed the Great Wall of China

Most of the people who designed the structure of the Great Wall were recorded in the historical books of the Warring States countries (475 BC - 221 BC). However, after Qin’s unification of China, those books were all burned out. The history of Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC) has always been centered on the noble. These folk craftsmen who built the Great Wall were not named. In later dynasties, there were records of restoration and construction of the Great Wall, but in terms of design, they all followed the style of the wall at that time, so there was no fixed designer. By the Ming Dynasty, it was mainly planned by the emperor Zhu Di, and renovated and adjusted by the famous general, Qi Jiguang. As a result of the implementation of subcontracted construction, the specific designers are not one person. On each section of the Great Wall, there are different designers and builders.

How Many People Built the Great Wall

Because the Great Wall takes thousands of years and endures different dynasties, the whole scale is more than 20,000 kilometers, which is very huge. At least millions of people participated in the construction of the Great Wall. According to records, only in the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 207 BC), Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) ordered more than one million workers to build the Great Wall, which was one-twentieth of the country's population. By the Northern Qi Dynasty, the number of people who built the Great Wall was recorded to be 1.8 million. Later in the Sui Dynasty (581 AD – 608 AD), there were tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of people taking part in the construction of the Great Wall, which were recorded in the historical books.

How Many People Died Building the Great Wall of China

According to the chronicles, "Many people died of hunger, fatigue, starvation, or even being killed by the commanders. Millions of people who started to build the Great Wall, and only tens of thousands of people were still alive after the great wall has finished." It should be more than one million people died during the construction. There is even a famous literature work written about a woman crying over on the Great Wall for her husband who died of building the great wall.

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