The Great Wall of China: A Timeless Marvel

Embark on an awe-inspiring journey along the Great Wall of China, from the serene Bohai Sea to the rugged Hebei province. Witness its historical wonders and captivating vistas as we traverse its iconic length.

A Journey from the Sea to the Desert

The Great Wall of China spans a length of 5,500 ft. Although relatively few will travel along the wall’s entire length, any portion of this structure is exciting to check out. One of the most popular places to begin is Laolongtou, sometimes known as Old Dragon’s Head. This easternmost point on the wall extends to the Bohai Sea. The mountainous Hebei province is one area through which the wall passes. The stark difference in the terrain at different ends demonstrates how much of the country the wall goes through.

How the Great Wall Became a Tourist Attraction

The first travelers to walk the entire length of the wall did so in 1984. At this time, the wall was more of a curiosity to Westerners. Wu De-yu, Dong Yao-hui, and Zhang Yuan-hua were the first to undertake this journey. The men took 17 months to make the trip, earning a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

The men took extensive notes during their journey about the structure’s condition, which their friends later gathered into a book. Chinese officials realized they needed to perform much work to restore parts that had seen wear. In the years since these men first hiked the wall, more has become known about preservation efforts.

A Brief History of the Wall

Construction began during the periods known as Spring and Autumn, ranging from 770 to 476 B.C. The sections added corresponded to different eras involving dynasties and factions with competing interests.

However, work on this structure had ended by the 17th century. The work that occurred in this area accounts for most of the present-day form.

This landmark received UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1987. The State Council passed the Regulation on the Protection of the Great Wall in 2006, and the Cultural Relics Administrative Department controls preservation efforts.

Shanhaiguan Meeting the Sea

Shanhaiguan was the wall’s eastern end, marking where this structure and the sea meet. In the past, the nearest pass served as a strategic defense.