Tembok Besar China: “Naga Raksasa” yang Melindungi China Dari Dunia Luar

Summary

The Great Wall of China stands as a monumental testament to the nation's resilience and ambition, spanning over 21,196 km and connecting the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Built over centuries with the sweat and blood of millions, it served as a defense against invasions and a symbol of power. From the Qin dynasty's unification efforts to the Ming dynasty's extensive repairs, the wall evolved technologically and architecturally. Despite its grandeur, the wall's legacy faced neglect and decay, with only parts of it remaining intact. Today, it's a beacon for tourists and a bridge between China's storied past and its future.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Great Wall of China is a monumental work that spans various eras and civilizations, standing as a silent witness to history filled with conquests and human ambition.
• 🛠 The wall was built with the sweat and blood of millions, including farmers, slaves, criminals, and common people, symbolizing endurance and strength.
• 📏 The Great Wall stretches approximately 21,196 kilometers, connecting the Bohai Sea in the east to the Gobi Desert in the west.
• 🏗️ The wall was continuously built and rebuilt over centuries, with significant architectural revolutions and improvements during the Han, Sui, and Tang dynasties.
• 👑 Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty was the first to unify China and ordered the construction of the wall to consolidate his empire and protect against northern invasions.
• 🛡️ The wall was designed to withstand attacks from small weapons like swords and spears, using local resources such as stones from mountains and earth from plains.
• ⚔️ There was resistance from northern tribes who challenged the emperor's power, leading to the construction of a new, massive wall connecting the remaining fortresses along the northern border.
• 👷‍♂️ Millions of workers were involved in the construction, with many sacrificing their lives, their stories buried in the sands of time.
• 🏰 The Ming dynasty made significant efforts to strengthen and expand the wall, building watchtowers and using more robust materials like bricks and stones.
• 🌏 European awareness of the Great Wall began with the travels of Ibn Battuta in the 14th century, with widespread European knowledge only coming in the 16th century.
• 📊 In 2009, a scientific expedition by Chinese authorities recalculated the wall's length, revealing it to be approximately 21,196 kilometers, with only about 8,850 kilometers still standing strong.

Q & A

What is the Great Wall of China described as in the script?

The Great Wall of China is described as a monumental work that spans various eras and civilizations, standing firm like a giant dragon that has witnessed centuries of history filled with conquests and human ambition.

Who were the main builders of the Great Wall according to the script?

The main builders of the Great Wall were farmers, slaves, prisoners, and common people who sacrificed their sweat and blood to create this defensive fortification.

What was the purpose of the Great Wall as mentioned in the script?

The Great Wall served as a defense mechanism to protect against enemy invasions and as a symbol of power and resilience.

How long is the Great Wall of China according to the latest survey mentioned in the script?

According to the latest survey mentioned in the script, the total length of the Great Wall, including overlapping sections and rebuilt parts, is approximately 21,196 kilometers, with only about 8,850 kilometers still standing.

What materials were used for the construction of the Great Wall?

The materials used for the construction of the Great Wall varied based on the location, with stones from mountains used in mountainous areas, and soil and gravel used in plains.

What happened to parts of the Great Wall during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang?

During the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, parts of the Great Wall that separated his empire from previous nations were ordered to be destroyed.

What was a significant addition to the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty?

During the Ming Dynasty, a significant addition to the Great Wall was the construction of 25,000 watchtowers, making it stronger and more complex.

Who was the famous North African traveler mentioned in the script who visited China and the Great Wall?

The famous North African traveler mentioned in the script is Ibn Battuta, who visited China in 1346.

What is the Mandarin term for the Great Wall of China, and what does it mean?

The Mandarin term for the Great Wall of China is 'Wan Chang Cheng,' which means 'wall of 10,000 li.'

What challenges does the Great Wall face today as described in the script?

Today, the Great Wall faces challenges such as significant portions disappearing, local residents using bricks from the Wall for construction, and the structure being a mosaic of varying conditions.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Great Wall of China: A Testament to Endurance and Ambition

The first paragraph introduces the Great Wall of China as a monumental work spanning various eras and civilizations. It describes the wall as a silent witness to centuries of conquest and human ambition. The wall, with its varying heights and thicknesses, stretches over 21,196 kilometers from the Bohai Sea in the east to the Gobi Desert in the west. The paragraph also discusses the architectural revolution during the Qin dynasty, where Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified China and ordered the construction of the wall to symbolize power and to protect against invasions. It mentions the wall's construction materials, such as stones and rammed earth, and the immense sacrifices made by workers, including farmers, slaves, and common people, whose stories have been buried in time.

05:02

🛠️ The Evolution and Expansion of the Great Wall Through Dynasties

The second paragraph delves into the historical evolution and expansion of the Great Wall. It mentions the efforts during the Sui dynasty (581-618 AD) to strengthen the wall and the Tang dynasty's (618-907 AD) lack of significant construction or repair. The narrative then shifts to the Ming dynasty, where the wall was rebuilt with stronger and more complex fortresses using bricks and stones, including the construction of 25,000 watchtowers. The paragraph also highlights the wall's role in protecting the fertile lands from Mongol invasions and the efforts of General Qi Jiguang in the late 16th century to reinforce the wall with additional watchtowers. It concludes with the mention of the wall's international recognition and the stories brought back by 19th-century tourists, which contributed to its mythological status.

10:03

📏 The Great Wall's Current State and Cultural Heritage

The third paragraph focuses on the current state of the Great Wall and its status as a cultural heritage. It reveals that the actual length of the wall, including overlapping and rebuilt sections, is approximately 21,196 kilometers, but only about 8,850 kilometers of it remain intact. The paragraph discusses the findings of a 2009 scientific survey and the conservation efforts to preserve the wall. It also mentions the local population's use of the wall's materials for their daily needs, such as building houses and animal pens, and the lack of awareness about the wall's historical significance. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the wall's status as a mosaic of varying conditions and the challenges in its conservation.

Keywords

💡Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a monumental structure that spans various historical periods and civilizations, symbolizing human ambition and resilience. It extends over 21,196 km, connecting the Bohai Sea in the east to the Gobi Desert in the west. The wall has been a silent witness to countless historical events, including invasions and the labor of millions of workers such as farmers, slaves, and prisoners.

💡Qin Dynasty

The Qin Dynasty, established by King Zheng who later became the first emperor, is significant for unifying China and initiating the construction of the Great Wall as a defense against northern invaders. The emperor's ambition led to the dismantling of previous defensive walls to create a centralized empire, which laid the foundation for the wall's expansion.

💡Ming Dynasty

The Ming Dynasty played a crucial role in rebuilding and extending the Great Wall to protect against Mongol invasions. They constructed stronger and more complex sections using bricks and stones, and built around 25,000 watchtowers. The wall during this period became a robust military defense and a symbol of the dynasty's strength.

💡Defense Architecture

Defense architecture refers to the strategic and structural design of fortifications like the Great Wall, which were built to withstand invasions. This includes the use of local materials such as stones and earth, as well as the construction of watchtowers and battlements to enhance defensive capabilities.

💡Labor and Sacrifice

The construction of the Great Wall involved the labor and sacrifice of millions of workers, including farmers, slaves, prisoners, and common people. Many lost their lives due to the harsh working conditions and the immense effort required to build and maintain the wall, which stands as a testament to their sacrifices.

💡Cultural Heritage

The Great Wall of China is a significant cultural heritage site, symbolizing the ingenuity, perseverance, and historical legacy of the Chinese people. Despite parts of it being in ruins, it remains a powerful symbol of China's historical and cultural identity, attracting tourists and scholars worldwide.

💡Historical Records

Historical records, including those from the Ming Dynasty, provide valuable insights into the construction, maintenance, and significance of the Great Wall. They document the length of the wall, the materials used, and the various dynasties' contributions, offering a comprehensive understanding of its history.

💡Mongol Invasions

Mongol invasions were a major threat to China, prompting extensive construction and reinforcement of the Great Wall, especially during the Ming Dynasty. The wall served as a formidable barrier against these northern nomadic tribes, helping to secure China's borders and protect its civilization.

💡Architectural Innovation

Architectural innovation in the context of the Great Wall includes the use of advanced construction techniques and materials such as bricks and stones during the Ming Dynasty. This innovation enhanced the wall's strength and durability, making it one of the most impressive military structures of its time.

💡Tourism and Global Recognition

The Great Wall of China has become a major tourist attraction and a globally recognized symbol of China's historical and cultural heritage. Visitors from around the world come to witness its grandeur, and it has been extensively studied and documented, further solidifying its status as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Highlights

The Great Wall of China is a monumental work that spans various eras and civilizations, standing like a silent witness to history filled with intrigue, conquest, and human ambition.

The Great Wall has been a witness to the sacrifice of millions of lives, including peasants, slaves, criminals, and commoners, who contributed to its construction.

The wall's dimensions are vast, reaching 21,196 KM in length, connecting the Bohai Sea in the east to the Gobi Desert in the west.

The Great Wall was not only a symbol of power but also a protector against enemy attacks, showcasing the strength and wisdom of ancient Chinese dynasties.

In 221 BCE, King Zheng of the Qin dynasty unified China and initiated the construction of the Great Wall to erase the boundaries of previous states.

The wall was built to withstand attacks from small weapons like swords and spears, using local resources such as stones and rammed earth.

Millions of workers, including farmers, commoners, slaves, and criminals, sacrificed everything to create the Great Wall.

It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of workers lost their lives during the construction of the Great Wall.

Subsequent dynasties took over the massive task of repairing and expanding the Great Wall to protect Chinese civilization from northern nomadic tribes.

During the Sui Dynasty (581-618 CE), significant efforts were made to strengthen the Great Wall, marking a new era in Chinese defense.

The Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) saw the Great Wall standing majestically without significant construction or repair.

Under the Ming Dynasty, the Great Wall was rebuilt with stronger and more complex constructions using bricks and stones.

The Ming Dynasty also built the 'Liudong' wall, a fortress covering the heart of the agricultural province, protecting fertile lands from Mongol attacks.

Between 1567 and 1570, General Qi Jiguang strengthened the wall by building 1200 watchtowers from Shanghai to Guanpas, serving as early warning systems.

In the 13th and 14th centuries, no European dared to step into China or Mongolia due to the Great Wall's formidable presence.

Ibn Battuta, a Muslim traveler from North Africa, visited China in 1346 and heard about the Great Wall even before he arrived.

Europeans only reached China by ship in the early 16th century, and stories about the Great Wall began to circulate in Europe.

After the Opium Wars, the Great Wall became a magnet for foreign traders and visitors, enriching its mythology and reputation.

In 2009, the Chinese government initiated a scientific expedition to uncover the truth behind the Great Wall, recalculating its length to approximately 21,196 KM.

Only about 8,850 KM of the wall still stands strong, while other parts have crumbled or disappeared over time.

A 2012 report by the National Heritage Administration revealed that 22% of the Ming Great Wall had disappeared, and 1,961 KM of it had vanished.

The term 'Great Wall' was only coined after the construction by the Ming Dynasty, and its name in Mandarin means 'Long Wall of 10,000 Li'.

A 2004 conservation report highlighted the reality that only half of the legendary wall's length remains standing with dignity.

Local residents near the ancient sites are often unaware that they are part of such a close heritage, using bricks from the Great Wall for their daily life needs.

Transcripts

[Musik]

Tembok Besar Cina merupakan sebuah karya

monumental yang melintasi beragam zaman

dan

peradaban berdiri kokoh bagaikan naga

raksasa yang selama berabad-abad telah

menjadi Saksi Bisu dari sejarah yang

penuh intrig penaklukan serta Ambisi

manusia yang tidak kenal

batas tembok ini telah menjadi saksi

atas pengorbanan jutaan jiwa yang

terdiri dari para petani para budak

narapidana serta rakyat jelata yang

mengerahkan setiap tetes keringat dan

darah mereka untuk menciptakan benteng

pertahanan sebuah warisan yang akan

dikenang selama-lamanya sebagai simbol

ketahanan

serta

kegigihan dengan ketinggian dan

ketebalan yang bervariasi serta panjang

mencapai

21.196 KM yang menghubungkan Laut bohai

di sisi timur hingga Gurun Gobi di

sebelah barat tembok ini dinobatkan

sebagai sebuah keajaiban yang terpahat

dalam daftar tu keajaiban

dunia Mas di seb yang saat ini kita

kenal sebagai Cina terjadi sebuah

revolusi dalam seni arsitektur

pertahanan pada periode musim semi dan

musim gugur antara abad ke hingga abad

sebel masehi bangsa-bangsa yang tangguh

seperti bangsa Kin we Z Ki Han Yan serta

zongsan berdiri Teguh dengan kekuatan

serta kearifan

merekaending-mas Dar

mkaangengeng yang serta kokoh bukan

hanya sebagai simbol kekuasaan tetapi

juga sebagai pelindung dari serangan

musuh yang datang tiada

henti dinding-dinding ini yang dibangun

untuk menahan serangan senjata-senjata

kecil seperti pedang serta tombak

terbuat dari batu atau tanah yang

diinjak-injak juga kerikil-kerikil yang

dipadatkan di antara bingkai

papan pada tahun 221 sebelum masehi Raja

Zeng dari dinasti Kin Shuang mengangkat

pedangnya dan menaklukkan lawan-lawannya

satu

persatu dengan keberanian yang

menggetarkan dia berhasil menyatukan

tanah yang luas dan kemudian menobatkan

dirinya sebagai kaisar pertama Dinasti

Kin Kendati demikian di bik kejayaan dan

kekuasaannya tersembunyi Ambisi yang

lebih Raja Zeng ing membangun sebuah

kekaisaran

terpusathga menghapus jejak-jejak masa

lalu yang membagi-bagi Tanah ini karena

itu dia memerintahkan penghancuran

bagian-bagian tembok yang memisahkan

kekesarannya dari bangsa-bangsa

sebelumnya akibatnya benteng-benteng

yang pernah menjadi penjaga perbatasan

Ini akhirnya mulai

runtuh Namun demikian terdapat satu

perlawanan yang tidakisa

diabaikanorang suku-uku yang di utara

menantang kekuasaan raja Zeng mereka

seperti badai yang tidak kena lelah siap

menggulingkan apa saja yang berdiri di

depannya maka Raja Zeng yang mengetahui

bahwa dirinya Harus memposisikan

kekaisaranya Melawan ancaman-ancaman ini

memerintahkan pembangunan tembok baru

sebuah tembok raksasa yang menghubungkan

benteng-benteng yang tersisa di

sepanjang perbatasan Utara kekaisaran

terdapat jutaan pekerja yang terdiri

dari petani rakyat jelata budak hingga

narapidana yang mengorbankan Segalanya

Untuk menciptakan tembok

besar Namun karena sulitnya mengangkut

sejumlah besar bahan yang dibutuhkan

untuk konstruksi maka bahan-bahan yang

digunakan untuk pembangunan selalu

diusahakan menggunakan sumber daya

lokal artinya batu-batu dari pegunungan

digunakan di atas pegunungan

sementara tanah dan kerikil digunakan

untuk konstruksi di

dataran para pekerja itu bekerja dengan

semangat dan kisah yang luar biasa hanya

saja kisah-kisah mereka yang membangun

tembok Gin ini terkubur dalam debu waktu

dengan perkiraan bahwa ratusan ribu

pekerja telah mengorbankan nyawa mereka

menemui ajal dengan

mulia pada periode kekaisaran

selanjutnya dinastihan mengambil alih

tugas berat ini dia memperbaiki dan

memperluas tembok besar ini untuk

melindungi peradaban dari serangan

bangsa-bangsa nomadan di

utara kemudian pada masa Dinasti Sui

antara tahun

581 hingga 618 masehi upaya besar

dilakukan untuk memperkuat tembok Agung

ini yang menandai era baru dalam sejarah

pertahanan

Cina p pada masa ketika Dinasti Tang

berkuasa dari tahun 618 hingga 907

masehi tembok besar yang megah Berdiri

dalam diam tanpa sentuhan pembangunan

atau perbaikan yang

signifikan namun seiring berlalunya

waktu Angin perubahan mulai berhembus

membawa era baru di bawah naungan dinas

timing pada abad

ke1 dengan serangan Mongol yang seolah

tidak mengenal kata usai dinas timing

mengalirkan sumber daya yang sangat

besar untuk membangkitkan kembali

kejayaan tembok yang telah lama

Terlupakan konstruksi yang dibangun oleh

dinas timing adalah benteng yang tidak

bisa tertembus lebih kuat dan lebih

rumit dengan penggunaan batu bata serta

batu yang Sangat

kokoh mereka membangun hingga 25.000

menara pengawas yang menjulang tinggi di

atas dinding berdiri sebagai Saksi Bisu

atas kegigihan di dinas

timing dan di tengah-tengah abad

keemasannya selama tahun

1440-an hingga

1460-an dinas timing membangun Apa yang

disebut sebagai tembok liudong sebuah

benteng yang menutup jantung pertanian

provinsi

liaudong tembok ini tidak hanya berperan

sebagai dinding biasa tetapi juga

sebagai pelindung bagi tanah yang sangat

subur melindungi mereka dari

bayang-bayang serangan bangsa mongor

dari arah barat

laut antara tahun

1567 hingga

1570 Jenderal kijiuang dengan tangan

yang terampil dan pikiran yang tajam

memperkuat dinding ini membangun

sebanyak 1200 menara pengawas dari

Shanghai Guan pas hingga

changping menara-menara ini bukan

sekedar struktur batu tetapi ibarat mata

yang terjaga yang memperingatkan

penduduk tentang para perampok Mongol

yang mendekat dengan niat

[Musik]

jahat pada abad ke-13 dan ke-14 Tidak

satu pun dari orang Eropa yang berani

melangkah ke tanah Cina atau Mongolia

Sebab mereka terkurung dalam batas-batas

benua mereka

sendiri Kendati demikian seorang

pengembara muslim dari Afrika Utara yang

terkenal dengan nama Ibnu Batuta telah

menginjakkan kakinya di tanah Cina pada

tahun

1346 Ibnu Batuta telah mendengar tentang

Tembok Besar Cina yang Bahkan sebelum

dia tiba di

sana sedangkan orang Eropa sendiri baru

mencapai Cina dengan kapal pada awal

abad

ke-16 dan kemudian catatan tentang

Tembok Besar Cina mulai beredar di Eropa

Meskipun tidak ada orang Eropa yang

melihatnya selama satu abad kemudian

[Musik]

di saat jina terpaksa membuka pintu

gerbangnya kepada dunia luar setelah

kekalahannya dalam perang candu pertama

dan kedua tembok besar berdiri sebagai

saksi atas perubahan

zaman tembok yang selama berabad-abad

menjadi simbol kekuatan dan isolasi ini

tiba-tiba berubah menjadi magnet yang

menarik bagi para pedagang asing dan

pengunjung dari seluruh penjuru

dunia wisatawan dari akhir abad ke-19

membawa pulang cerita-cerita yang akan

memperkaya mitologi tembok

besar catatan perjalanan mereka yang

penuh dengan kekaguman dan rasa ingin

tahu menyebar luas dan meningkatkan

reputasi tembok ini menjadi lebih dari

sekedar pembatas tetapi juga menjadi

jembatan antara masa lalu dengan masa

depan pada tahun 2009 badan survei dan

pemetaan dan badan administrasi warisan

budaya Republik Rakyat Cina memulai

sebuah odisi ilmiah Di mana mereka

bertekad untuk mengungkap kebenaran di

balik Tembok Besar

Cina mereka menghitung ulang panjang

tembok legendaris ini dan menemukan

bahwa total Luasnya menjapai sekitar

21.196 KM termasuk bagian yang tumpang

tindih serta dibangun

kembali namun sejatinya hanya sekitar

8.850 km dari tembok ini yang masih

berdiri dengan

gagah penelitian ini juga mengungkapkan

tentang keberadaan bagian bagian tembok

lain yang panjangnya mencapai

359 KM Parit sepanjang

2.232 KM serta pembatas alami seperti

perbukitan serta

sungai dari catatan-catatan sejarah yang

tersebar rentang rata-rata Tembok Besar

Cina adalah 5.000 km

namun sebuah laporan pada tahun 2012

oleh administrasi warisan budaya

nasional menyatakan bahwa 22% dari

tembok besar Ming telah menghilang

sementara

1961 km dari dinding yang megah ini

telah lenyap ditelan

masa setelah tembok panjang dibangun

oleh dinas timing barulah muncul istilah

cangceng yang secara harfiah berarti

tembok besar atau b pjang sebuah nama

yang sebelumnya tidak dikenal dalam

leksikon

sejarah istilah Tembok Besar Cina dalam

bahasa Mandarin adalah Wan Chang Cheng

yang bermakna tembok yang panjangnya

10.000

Li kemudian laporan konservasi pada awal

tahun 2004 menggambarkan mengenai sebuah

realitas yang menyentuh bahwa rentang

tembok yang legendaris ini menjadi

semakin pendek di mana hanya sepertiga

dari panjang

6.350 km dari struktur megah ini yang

masih berdiri dengan kehormatan masa

lalunya warga yang tinggal di sekitar

situs-situs kuno ini tidak menyadari

bahwa mereka adalah bagian dari warisan

yang begitu dekat dengan kehidupan

sehari-hari

mereka mereka hidup berdekatan dengan

benteng arsitektur Ming yang kokoh namun

kenyataannya Tembok Besar Cina adalah

mozaik dengan kondisi yang tidak seragam

akibatnya penduduk setempat dalam upaya

untuk membangun kehidupan mereka

seringki menggunakan batu bata dari

tembok besar ini untuk membangun rumah

serta kandang hewan ternak

[Musik]