Ming Dynasty

The Great Wall Of China On Late Holidays

Listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1987, the Great Wall of China is one of the greatest wonders of the world. It’s a favourite for tourists looking for late holidays, as in China most rain falls in the summer months of July and August. The Great Wall is one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world – It has a history of over 2000 years and stretches some 5,500 miles from the east to the west of China.

The Great Wall was started during the Ch’in Dynasty over 2000 years ago, by Qin Shi Huangdi. Four old fortification walls along the north of China, which had been in existence since 700 BC, were connected and extended by the emperor. It makes it one of the largest building constructions ever attempted. It starts at Shanhaiguan in the east and ends at Lop Nur in the west. Packed earth, stones, rocks and masonry make up the Wall.

Many tourists travel to the Great Wall on cheap flights, aiming to walk along part of it. There are many touristy places along the wall and many tour operators offer guided tours of the more well-known areas. One of the most remarkable areas, when it was first built, must have been ‘The Silver Wall’ section. Located at 16 miles west of Lao Tian Ling, this part of the wall is now only 2 or 3 stones high. This part of the wall gleamed silver, possibly because the stones used came from the Shan Xi district, which was known for its silver mines. Three miles north of Yulin City in the Shaanxi Province is the Zhenbeitai Great Wall, which has the biggest terrace on the Wall.

In 2009, an additional 180 miles of previously undiscovered section of the Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty were uncovered. Over time, sandstorms, which moved across the arid region had submerged this part of the wall. This section of the wall is usually walked in the autumn by tourists on late deals as it can be quite hot in the summer months.

Ming Dynasty