Great Wall of China
China ·
Description
The Great Wall is China's heartbeat made stone. For over two millennia, successive dynasties added sections to this colossal serpent that climbs mountains, crosses deserts and defies logic. At Mutianyu, watchtowers punctuate green ridges; at Jinshanling, morning mist creates ink-wash landscapes.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
The Great Wall is the largest architectural work ever built by humanity. It represents 2,000 years of Chinese history and an unprecedented feat of military engineering. Its different sections reflect the evolution of construction techniques through multiple dynasties.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being the world's largest architectural structure, symbol of Chinese civilization and unparalleled engineering feat.
It was inscribed in 1987 under criteria (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (vi).
21,196 km including all branches; the most visited Ming section is 8,850 km.
Badaling: most accessible but crowded; Mutianyu: restored and family-friendly; Jinshanling: for hikers.
Only sections; many parts are in ruins or inaccessible. Purists hike Jinshanling-Simatai.