The Great Wall of China

Sections of older defenses were brought together in 220 B.C. under Qin Shi Huang to create a unified defense structure against incursions from the north. The Great Wall was still being built when the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) came into power, making it the biggest military edifice in the world. Only its architectural significance rivals its historical and tactical relevance.

The Great Wall, which has a total length of more than 20,000 kilometers, was continually constructed on the northern frontier of the nation from the third century BC to the seventeenth century AD as the major military defense project of succeeding Chinese Empires. The Great Wall starts at Shanhaiguan, Hebei province, in the east, and finishes in Jiayuguan, Gansu province, in the west. Its basic structure is made up of fortifications and passes along the Wall, as well as walls, horse trails, watchtowers, and shelters on the wall.

The Great Wall in ancient China is a reflection of interactions and clashes between agrarian and nomadic civilizations. It gives major physical proof of the powerful military might and national defense capabilities of the central empires of ancient China. It is also a remarkable example of the exceptional military architecture, technology, and art of the time. As the nation's emblem for maintaining the safety of the state and its citizens, it has unrivaled significance.