How Long Did It Take to Build the Great Wall of China- An Unveiling of Its Construction Timeline
How long is the Great Wall of China built?
The Great Wall of China, an iconic symbol of Chinese history and culture, has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Spanning over 13,000 miles (21,196 kilometers), this ancient wonder has a long and complex history of construction. The question of how long it took to build the Great Wall of China is not easily answered, as it was constructed over a period of more than two millennia. Let’s delve into the fascinating details of its construction timeline.
The initial stages of the Great Wall began during the 7th century BC, with various states in China constructing walls to protect their territories from invasions. These walls were built independently and were not connected. It was not until the 3rd century BC that the first comprehensive plan for a unified Great Wall was initiated by the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang.
The construction of the Great Wall under the Qin Dynasty was a massive undertaking, involving hundreds of thousands of laborers and soldiers. It was primarily built to protect the northern borders of the empire from the nomadic tribes of the Eurasian Steppe. The construction period under the Qin Dynasty is estimated to have lasted around 10 years.
However, the Great Wall did not remain static. Over the following centuries, it was continuously expanded, repaired, and reinforced by successive dynasties, including the Han, Tang, Yuan, and Ming. The most extensive construction and reconstruction efforts occurred during the Ming Dynasty, which lasted from 1368 to 1644 AD.
The Ming Dynasty faced increasing threats from the Mongols and other nomadic tribes, prompting the construction of a more robust and extensive wall. This phase of construction is believed to have taken approximately 200 years, from the 14th to the 16th century. The Ming Dynasty’s Great Wall, which is the most well-preserved and visited section today, is estimated to have been built over a period of about 100 years.
In conclusion, the Great Wall of China was built over a span of more than 2,000 years, with varying periods of construction and reconstruction. While the exact timeline is challenging to pinpoint, it is safe to say that the construction of the Great Wall of China was a monumental task that required the combined efforts of numerous dynasties and millions of laborers. This enduring symbol of Chinese history continues to captivate the world with its grandeur and historical significance.
