The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the world, was enlisted in the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1987. Just like a gigantic dragon, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles ) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2000 years, some of the sections of the great wall are now in ruins or even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

Design for the Fortifications

The Great Wall served as the natural barrier for the safety of inner China in ancient times. There are many different kinds of designs for the fortifications on the wall, such as passes, beacon towers and walls, and each of them has various functions.

Passes : Passes are the most massive defense beachheads on the wall, often located in places of military importance which are favorable for defense. They are often composed of square walls, gates, gate towers, and moats.

A ruined watch towerBeacon towers : Beacon towers were used for passing military messages. They were often built on the tops of the mountains or rises for convenience in watching the enemies’ movements. Due to its unique function, it is regarded as the oldest effective telegraph system in Chinese history.

Ruined wall at Simatai sectionWalls : Walls are the main part of the construction, averaging about 26.6 feet tall. They serve as the important nexus connecting the passes, beacon towers, watch towers and other military structures together, thus allowing the dragon to fly freely over the vast land of northern China.
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