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The Great Wall of China winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, stretching approximately 6,700 kilometers.
The Great Wall is stretching approximately 6,700 kilometers (4,163 miles) from east to west of China. With a history of more than 2,000 years, some of the sections of the Great Wall are now in ruins or have even entirely disappeared. However, it is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.
Begun in the third century BC, the Great Wall connected a number of earlier walls to create a defense against nomads invading from the north. Although the wall ultimately failed in this regard, and was breached several times, most notably by the armies of Genghis Khan in 1215 and by Manchu troops in 1644, it was effective in bringing stability and continuity to Chinese culture. Much of the wall that exists today was rebuilt between the 14th and 18th centuries by the Ming dynasty.
Making a trip to at least one section of the Great Wall should be a must for anyone going to China. There are three major sections of the Great Wall open to tourists near Beijing: Badaling, Mutianyu and Simatai. All three are built on steep terrain, so it is a good idea to wear comfortable shoes. If you prefer to see the wall in a relatively natural state, visit the section at Simatai, 110 kilometers northeast of Beijing. This part of the wall is the best choice; it is still in original state, without having been developed into a tourist attraction, due to its distance from Beijing and little public transportation options. The best way to get there is by a private chauffeur driven car, or by a tour bus, which can be booked through hotels and travel agencies.
Other sections worth visiting are: the Juyongguan pass (the North Pass), this section of the wall is made of stones and bricks from the hills and is 7.8 meters high and 5 meters wide, build to defend Beijing. Jiayuguan pass (west pass), this section is near the western edges of the Great Wall. Shanhaiguan pass (eastern pass), this section is near the eastern extremity of the wall, and the first mountain the Great Wall climbs.
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