Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of brick, tamped earth, stone, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. The Great Wall stretches more than 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometers) and was built over a period of several centuries, with construction beginning as early as the 7th century BC and continuing until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

The most well-known sections of the Great Wall were constructed during the Ming dynasty and include famous landmarks such as the Badaling, Mutianyu, and Jiankou sections. The Great Wall was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China.