Why was the Great Wall of China Built?
The Great Wall is of a significant defensive military project in the ancient time. However, it is not a simple isolated anterior wall, but a network of gateways, fortresses, and customs offices, forming a complete defense system. From the Warring States Period to the Ming Dynasty, the construction of the Great Wall has not stopped in the past dynasties for more than 2000 years. Millions of people participated in the construction of the Great Wall. Why did people build the Great Wall? What is the purpose of building the Great Wall in each dynasty?
① Defend Themselves from Other States
The Pre-Qin Dynasty (7 Cen. BC – 3 Cen. BC)
The first Great Wall, "Chufang City Wall" (楚方城) was built during this time in the State Chu in order to defend themselves from the attack of the neighboring countries. Thereafter, more and more other states joined the construction of building their own military wall for defensive purpose, especially during the Warring Period (475BC - 221 BC).
② Consolidate Territories
Qin Dynasty (214 BC – 204 BC)
After the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang's unifying over China, he ordered to connect every section of the great wall that the state had built,so that he could maintain his ruling over every state. The separated states came into a complete whole territory by the linked Great Wall.
③ Expand the Empire and Protect the Silk Road
Han Dynasty (201 BC – 8 AD)
In the Han Dynasty, the northern nomadic tribes had multiplied a lot, as well as the Han People in the central plains. Residents in the border area began the trade among different nations and the silk road from the east to the west had formed. To protect the Han traders and also expand the empire, Wudi of the Han Dynasty (汉武帝) ordered to build the Great Wall.
Our Guests Visiting Mutianyu Great Wall
④ Resist Invasion from Nomadic Tribes
Sui, Tang, Song Dynasties (581 AD -1279 AD)
With the decline of the national power in this period, the situation in the northern border area became worse and there was no large-scale great wall building project and the Walls were mainly used to resist the invasion from nomadic tribes.
⑤ Defend Themselves and Control the Border
Ming Dynasty (1368 AD – 1620 AD)
As Ming's ruling over the country, the first emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) of Ming began to build a long section of Walls in the north and his son and grandson also carried on this order. Millions of people joined the construction, and the walls did help a lot defend the Ming from the attack from the northern nations, such as the Mongolian and even Japanese.
⑥ Maintain Its Reign and Suppress the Rebellion
Qing Dynasty (1638 AD – 1878 AD)
The Qing Dynasty is the last feudal dynasty in China. To maintain its ruling and also suppress the rebellion in the north, only a small section of wall was built during the emperor Kangxi (康熙). After him, there was not any new section to be build.
⑦ Restore for Tourism
from 1957
Enduring for over hundreds or even thousands of years, many sections of the Qin Great Wall have ruined, and some sections have been abandoned. The wall gradually lost its position for military defensive use in the modern era. Chairman Mao, ordered to restore the Badaling Great Wall, and later Dengxiaoping asked to restore the magnificent walls for tourism. In 1980s, some of the restored sections, such as Badaling and Mutianyu began to open to the public.
Our Customer Visiting Badaling Great Wall
Our Guests from Australia Visiting Jinshanling Great Wall (2019)
Besides military use in every dynasty, the Great Wall had a very important impact on the ancient agricultural society. The Great Wall was the guarantee of peace and stability in ancient agricultural society of China. In the long history of 2000 years, rulers of all dynasties, relying on the Great Wall, repelled the invasion of nomadic tribes in the north, created a relatively peaceful production environment for the survival and development of the feudal society. Moreover, the Great Wall also has a great impact on the domestic economy and trade. It is a gateway for international trade and cultural exchanges in the ancient time and links many countries and nations. Now, the Great Wall has become a landmark of China, a famous tourist attraction in China, and attracts numerous tourists from home and abroad.
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
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☛ 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
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☛ 4 Days Classic Beijing Tour with Jinshanling Great Wall Hiking
Jinshanling Great Wall
Mutianyu Great Wall
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This article was published on 21-06-2019. The author is Angela of China Discovery.
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