The Great Wall of China is an iconic symbol of the country and a marvel of architecture that has been around for centuries. Built over a period of 2,000 years and stretching 21,196 kilometers across the country, the Great Wall is an impressive feat of engineering. But how long did it take to build the Great Wall of China? Let’s take a look.
Building the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was built as a defense against foreign invasions, and it was constructed in sections over the course of several centuries. The earliest section of the wall was built in the 7th century BC by the Qin Dynasty, and the project was continued by subsequent dynasties over the centuries. The majority of the wall was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
The Great Wall was built with a combination of stone, brick, and earth. The wall was constructed on the ridges of mountains, and the structure was often reinforced with watchtowers, fortifications, and other defensive structures. The wall was also designed to be wide enough for horses to ride on, and the base of the wall was often made of stone.
The Timeline of Construction
The construction of the Great Wall of China began in the 7th century BC, and the project was continued by subsequent dynasties over the centuries.
The Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) built the first section of the wall, and the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) extended it further. The Sui Dynasty (581-618) and the Tang Dynasty (618-907) also worked on the wall.
The project was continued by the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was extended and strengthened. The wall was further extended during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912).
The construction of the Great Wall of China took over two thousand years and was carried out by several different dynasties. The Qin Dynasty built the first section of the wall, and the project was continued by the Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. The Great Wall of China is a remarkable feat of engineering and an iconic symbol of the country.