THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

A BUCKET LIST ESCAPE

The Great Wall of China truly deserves to be recognised as one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World." Its historical and architectural significance equals that of the world's most famous cultural attractions.

The Great Wall of China runs almost 13,170 miles from east to west across the country. Grasslands, mountains, plains, plateaus and deserts merge to form elements of the wall, it truly is a marvel of human architecture. It may boast spectacular vistas but the world's longest wall was originally erected as an old defensive construction to keep the Hun Hordes from invading China.

The Great Wall is more than just a barrier though, it is an integrated military defensive system that was far ahead of its time. Strategic sections of the wall were fortified with beacon towers, castles, and watchtowers. These battlements can still be seen in some places, despite the fact that nearly a third of the wall has been destroyed by human activity and natural erosion.

The Ming Dynasty built the majority of the wall that can be seen today. The Great Wall begins in the east at Hushan and continues through Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, and Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai, and finishes in Jiayuguan Pass in western China.

When visiting the Great Wall, be prepared for a really large crowd! Tourist numbers can approach 70,000 per day during peak season. During 2001, 63,000,000 people visited the Badaling Section.

There are many magnificent sights at The Great Wall, with some proving more popular than others. Areas of the wall near Beijing boast well-preserved relics of the Ming Dynasty, Badaling is home to the Great Wall Museum and a cinema as well as relieving some of the climbs with cable cars. Juyongguan features some of the greatest forts along the wall and Simatai is said to have the most architectural significance, incorporating different aspects of all the different sites.

Take a journey to Huanghuacheng if you want a truly unique Great Wall experience. This one-of-a-kind area is nestled next to a beautiful lake. Several sections of the wall are submerged in water, offering a breath-taking backdrop you just won’t find in other wall passes.

China may not be the easiest country to navigate, but whatever part of the Great Wall you choose to visit, it will be an experience you will cherish for years to come.

Contact us today and our Travel Consultants will be in touch to start planning your perfect bucket-list escape!