Ming Dynasty Great Wall
Sui expensed large numbers of labors and set severe time limits for building walls. At such great cost, the constructions were finished. But it broke countless families so as to the extreme of tyranny, and eventually incurred uprisings. The Sui Dynasty breathed its last in 618 after its 37-year rule, and was finally replaced by the Tang Dynasty (618 ~ 907).
The strength of Tang Dynasty reached the peak of all times. And the north borderline was far beyond the Wall. So the Tang Dynasty didn’t build any wall.
For the following period from Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms to the Song Dynasty, the walls fell into the territories of the two states of Liao and Jin and were not renovated.
In 1279, Mongol founded the Yuan Dynasty. With the north and south of China unified, it occupied a large territory, the largest ever in Chinese history. Without harassment form beyond the Wall, no wall was built.
In 1368, through a series of battles against Yuan, the Ming Dynasty established.
The design of the Ming Wall was well thought out. For example, Xuanfuzhen Great Wall in Beijing, due to its strategic position, was built in the unique style of double lines, inner and outer, to strengthen its defensive ability. A total of six passes were built. The inner passes were Juyongguan Pass, Zijingguan Pass and Daomaguan Pass, and the outer passes were Pianguan Pass, Ningwuguan Pass and Yanmenguan Pass. These passes controlled entries and exits into the areas and are secured by gates. Watch towers, signal towers, fortresses, and observation posts serve as additional reinforcements. The Ming Great Wall was further divided into nine zones, each controlled by a garrison, called ‘zhen’ in Chinese. Two more garrisons were added later, making a total of eleven garrisons of Great Wall. This ensured the security of the capital.
Following the topographies of the land through which it travels, this ancient Great Wall looks like a long winding dragon. To get a rough idea of the size: if all its stones, bricks, and earth are used to build a city wall of 1.1 yards high and 5.5 yards wide, the total length of this Great Wall will circle the earth more than once. Today, remnants of this huge wall stand as a witness to the sacrifices of the ancient builders and the wisdom of its designers. It is perhaps one of the greatest architectural achievements of men.
