The Great Wall 2008-5-29 15:45:44
The ancient and imposing Great Wall extends 6,350 kilometres through nine provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions. Passes have been built through this artificial barrier at a number of strategic posts. The Juyong Pass is one among them. Badaling is an outpost north to Juyong.
Construction of the Wall started in the 7th century B.C. After he unified the whole country by force, the First Emperor of Qin Dynasty had the northern defensive walls of the former Qin, Zhao and Yah states repaired and linked together. The present version of the Great Wall was built under order of Emperor Tai Zu of the Ming Dynasty. Work started in 1368, the first year of his reign, and continued for over 200 years.
The Juyong Pass is strategically posed to the northwest of Beijing. It used to be the gateway to the ancient capital. Badaling rises high to over 1,000 metres above sea level. The section of the Great Wall between the Juyong Pass and Badaling is a typical Ming product. The mean height of its body is 7.8 metres, the maximum height being 8.4 metres. The average width of its base is some 6.5 metres; and that of its top is 5.8 metres, wide enough for five horses or ten soldiers passing abreast. The top is evenly paved with square bricks. Steps are built at places where the Wall rises abruptly into the clouds. The magnificent Great Wall is one of the seven great ancient engineering wonders of the world. Astronauts have confirmed that the Great Wall is the only artificial project perceivable from the moon.
