ESTEEMStream.News

ESTEEM Center for Equity in Science, Technology, Engineering, English & Math

ESTEEMStream.News

ESTEEMStream.News

The Great Wall of China

Creative+Commons
Creative Commons

One of China’s most famous landmarks is the Great Wall of China. Built in around 220 BC, it was ordered by Qin Shi Huang to connect many walls into one long wall extending over 13,000 miles in length. It was built to prevent attacks from barbarians, although it never worked well. The Chinese general Meng Tian directed the construction of the wall. Soldiers, citizens, and criminals were used to build the wall. The parts of the wall known today were mainly constructed in the Ming Dynasty.

https://www.history.com/topics/great-wall-of-china

This is an example of civil engineering. The wall became a symbol of China throughout the world and eventually in 1987 was recognized as a world heritage site. During the Ming Dynasty, the wall was extended from the Yalu River to the Taolai River. Soldiers were assigned to help protect merchants traveling along the silk road. Throughout many dynasties, the wall was added onto, but the current state of the wall was built in more recent years between 1400 and 1700 CE. Bridges, temples, and pagodas were also built during the Ming Dynasty, where Chinese culture really flourished.

More to Discover
Activate Search
ESTEEM Center for Equity in Science, Technology, Engineering, English & Math
The Great Wall of China