A recent article in the China Traveller’s website, laid out some little known facts about the Great Wall of China. Over two articles we will reveal 10 of these fascinating items.
1 One of the great mis-conceptions about the Great Wall of China is that it can be seen from space from the naked eye. It can however be seen with some aid.
2 During the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), when the Great Wall was being constructed, glutinous rice flour was used as a binding material to join the bricks.
3 The Ming Dynasty were responsible for constructing the sections of the Great Wall of China that we now associate most with the structure. This was the final part of the wall that was constructed with brick which also features many high watch towers.
4 The Great Wall of China has earned the sombre nickname as the longest cemetery on Earth. The structure seen over one million people die during its construction. Archaeologists have found human remains buried under different parts of the wall.
5 The official length of the Great Wall of China is 8851.8 kilometres (5500 miles). Yet the length of all the Great Wall built over thousands of years is estimated at 21,196.18 kilometres (13,170 miles).Although the official number of the length of the Great Wall is 8851.8 kilometers (5500 miles), the length of all the Great Wall built over thousands of years is estimated at 21,196.18 kilometers (13,170 miles). The circumference of the Equator is 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles).
6 The Great Wall of China is threatened with erosion. The north-western sections (e.g. in Gansu and Ningxia provinces) of the Great Wall are deteriorating so quickly. It is believed that these sections may disappear within 20 years, due to demolishment by nature and human.
7 Over 10 million people visit the Great Wall of China every year. The most famous section of the Great Wall-Badaling, had been visited by over 300 heads of state and VIPs from around the world, the first of which was Soviet. But it is also the busiest section of wall which is restored. If you are a hiker who like to see the real unspoiled Great Wall which is off the beaten path, we don’t suggest you go there.
8 During the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), many bricks of the Great Wall were taken away to use in building homes, farms or reservoirs. Otherwise many sections of the Great Wall would be preserved much better than what they are like today.
9 The Great Wall is wide enough in some places to drive a car over it.
10. The most well-known of all of the legends of The Great Wall of China is the story of "Men Jiangnu’s Bitter Weeping" whose husband died building the wall. Her weeping was so bitter that a section of the wall collapsed, revealing her husband’s bones so she could bury them.
