The Great Wall of China is a vast network of walls, fortifications, and watchtowers that stretches over 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometers) across northern China, from Shanhaiguan on the east coast to Jiayuguan in the Gobi Desert in the west. However, the exact endpoint of the Great Wall can be somewhat ambiguous.
Traditionally, the eastern endpoint of the Great Wall is considered to be Shanhaiguan, a city located on the coast of the Bohai Sea in Hebei Province. Shanhaiguan is home to the famous “First Pass Under Heaven” gate, which marks the point where the Great Wall meets the sea. The walls and fortifications in this area were extensively renovated during the Ming dynasty, and today the area is a popular tourist destination.
In the west, the endpoint of the Great Wall is generally considered to be Jiayuguan, a city in Gansu Province located at the edge of the Gobi Desert. Jiayuguan was a strategic point on the ancient Silk Road, and the city’s fortress and gate, which were built during the Ming dynasty, mark the western end of the Great Wall.
However, some argue that the Great Wall does not have a true endpoint, as it was not built as a single, unified structure. Rather, it consists of many different sections, some of which were built in different time periods and by different dynasties. Additionally, some sections of the wall have eroded or been destroyed over time, making it difficult to determine where exactly the wall ends.
In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve and restore the Great Wall, and several sections have been opened up to tourists. These sections, such as Badaling and Mutianyu, are some of the most well-known and popular areas of the Great Wall, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Other facts about the Great Wall
- When was the Great Wall of China built?
- Which dynasty started the Great Wall?
- How long is the Great Wall of China?
- How long did it take to build the Great Wall of China?
- Who built the Great Wall of China
- Why was the Great Wall of China Built?
- Why is the Great Wall of China important?
- How many workers did it take to build the Great Wall of China
- Where is the Great Wall of China
- What major river crosses the Great Wall?
- How tall and wide is the Great Wall of China?
- What was the Great Wall of China made of
- Are there bodies in the Great Wall of China?
