The Great Wall, called in Chinese Wan Li Chang Cheng (literally meaning the long wall of ten thousand miles), enjoys the fame of being one of the greatest ancient architectural projects in human history. Stretching 4,500 miles, from the mountains of Korea to the Gobi Desert, it was first built to protected an ancient Chinese empire, the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. -- 206 B.C.), from marauding tribes from the north. But it evolved into something far greater -- a boon to trade and prosperity and ultimately a symbol of Chinese ingenuity and will. 

It is more than 2,000 years old, but the Great Wall of China remains one of the great wonders of the world. The truth is, though, that the Great Wall is actually a series of walls built and rebuilt by different dynasties over 1,000 years. And while they often served the same purpose, these walls reflected the worlds -- both natural and cultural -- in which they were erected. For all its seeming timelessness, the Great Wall is an emblem of China's evolution.

What happened in so many years?  Check out The Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. -- 206 B.C.), The Han Dynasty (206 B.C. -- 220), or The Ming Dynasty (1368 -- 1644), and enjoy the stories of the Great Wall.

How many people involved in building the Great Wall? How many years it took to complete the the Great Wall? A lot of whats, whens, wheres, and whys?  Check out The cool facts .

How about taking a virtual tour to the Great Wall of China in my Gallery ? 

If you love to learn more about the Great Wall, click  Other sites about the Great Wall, and have a good time.

Qin Dynasty   Han Dynasty   Ming Dynasty   Cool Facts     Gallery     Other Sites     Feedback