Great Wall of China
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is it anyway and where is it?
The Great Wall of China is not a single wall, but a series of fortifications along the northern borders of China, built against nomads from the steppe. It stretches for more than 21 thousand kilometers - from the Liaodong Peninsula in the east to Lake Lop in the west. Yes, in China, not in Nepal.
When was it built?
The first walls began to be built in the 7th century BC. during the Warring States period, and the first single version was molded together during the Qin dynasty around 221 BC. What tourists photograph en masse are mainly brick sites of the Ming era (1368-1644).
Where to go to see the wall?
The most popular area is Badalin, it was opened to visitors first, and there are several million people a year. Want less crowds - Mutianyu (about 2km of restored wall in the mountains) or Jinshanling with its 67 towers and steep climbs. In the east, the wall abuts the sea near the Shanhaiguan outpost.
How big is it up close?
Minsk plots are about 7.8 meters high and 5 meters wide - that is, you have to walk not along the edge, but along a full-fledged road with towers. They were built from stone, brick and rammed earth.
Is it true that it can be seen from space?
No, it's a myth - from the Moon, you definitely can't see the wall, because its width for the eye from a distance of three kilometers is like a hair's breadth. It is theoretically possible to catch something from a low Earth orbit, but only under ideal conditions. By the way, about a fifth of the Minsk wall has already disappeared due to erosion and construction.
