Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is by far mankind's most extensive construction endeavor. In its heyday in the 16th and 17th centuries, it snaked 6400 kilometers (4000 miles) across northern China.
It zig-zags up and down steep ridges and is punctuated with imposing watchtowers, making the Great Wall of China one of the most photogenic man-made structures on earth.
Today, it is the travel icon of China - and one of the leading vacation travel destinations in the world. According to astronauts who looked back on earth from the moon, of all projects built by man, the Great Wall is the most conspicuous seen in space. The magnificent Great Wall is a wonder of the world and pride of China.
As early as the Spring and Autumn period each principality in China constructed its own great wall at various strategic places to defend itself from rivals. The Great Wall is different from ordinary city walls in that it extends itself continuously for miles and does not encircle a city.
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