The History of the Great Wall of China for Kids - FreeSchool

Summary

The Great Wall of China is a vast and complex structure, built over thousands of years to protect China from invaders. It is not just one wall but a series of walls made from various materials like dirt, stone, and brick. The earliest walls were constructed over 2,000 years ago, with major developments under Emperor Qin Shi Huang and later during the Ming Dynasty. Once spanning over 13,000 miles, today much of the wall has deteriorated, yet it remains a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Takeaways

• 🇨🇳 The Great Wall of China symbolizes China and consists of multiple walls and fortifications built over thousands of years.
• 🏰 The earliest walls were made of packed earth and gravel, built more than two thousand years ago to protect territories.
• 🔨 In 221 BC, Qin Shi Huang ordered the destruction of walls dividing his empire and the construction of a new wall to protect from northern invaders.
• 🛠️ Over time, different dynasties repaired, rebuilt, or expanded the wall, with the Ming dynasty constructing the most famous version.
• 🏞️ At its peak, the Great Wall was over 13,000 miles long, making it the longest man-made structure.
• 🏰 The wall featured watchtowers and garrisons, with some sections being 30 feet thick and 25 feet tall.
• 👀 The claim that the Great Wall can be seen from space is partially true; it's not visible from the moon but can be seen from low Earth orbit.
• 🌐 Today, the Great Wall is a World Heritage site, protected for humanity to enjoy.
• 🚧 Only some parts of the wall are maintained due to its vast size and damage over time.
• 🏞️ Nearly one-third of the wall has disappeared, with some stones taken by locals for building purposes.
• 🌏 The Great Wall remains a top tourist attraction in China, drawing millions of visitors annually.

Q & A

What is the Great Wall of China known for?

The Great Wall of China is known as one of the most recognizable symbols of China and for its long and complicated history as a series of walls and fortifications built over thousands of years.

What materials were used to build the different sections of the Great Wall?

The walls were built with various materials including packed dirt, wood, stone, and brick, depending on the period they were constructed.

Who ordered the construction of the first unified wall in China?

The first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, ordered the construction of the first unified wall in 221 BC.

What was the purpose of the Great Wall during the time of Qin Shi Huang?

The purpose of the Great Wall during the time of Qin Shi Huang was to protect the empire from northern attackers by connecting the remaining pieces of wall after destroying the walls that divided his empire.

How did the Great Wall evolve over the centuries?

Over the centuries, different ruling dynasties repaired, rebuilt, or expanded sections of the wall, with the most famous version constructed by the leaders of the Ming dynasty starting in 1368.

What were the dimensions of the Great Wall at its peak?

At its peak, the Great Wall stretched more than 13,000 miles or about 22,000 kilometers in total length, with some sections being 30 feet or 9 meters thick, and 25 feet or 7.5 meters tall.

How many watchtowers were there on the Great Wall at its height?

At its height, the Great Wall was studded with as many as 25,000 watchtowers.

Is it true that the Great Wall can be seen from space?

It is partially true that the Great Wall can be seen from space. It cannot be seen from the moon, but from a much closer orbit, it could be seen by someone who knew exactly where to look and what it would look like.

What is the current status of the Great Wall of China?

Today, the Great Wall of China is a World Heritage site, protected and maintained for all of humanity to enjoy, although only some pieces are taken care of due to its size and damage over time.

How much of the Great Wall has disappeared or been damaged?

Nearly 1/3 of the wall has completely disappeared, fallen down, and even the stones have been taken away by local people to use in building.

Why is the Great Wall a popular tourist destination?

The Great Wall is the most popular place for tourists to visit in China, attracting millions of people each year due to its historical significance and architectural marvel.