History
What is The Great Wall of China?
The Great Wall of China is a vast series of fortifications built over centuries to protect Chinese states from northern invaders. Stretching thousands of kilometers, it's one of history's most ambitious building projects and a symbol of China itself.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the great wall of china.
Key things to understand
- 1It's a network of walls, not one single continuous wall.
- 2Built and rebuilt over many centuries by different dynasties.
- 3It stretches thousands of kilometers across northern China.
- 4It guarded against invasions and controlled trade and movement.
Frequently asked questions
- Why was the Great Wall of China built?
- Mainly to defend Chinese states and empires against invasions and raids from northern nomadic peoples.
- How long is the Great Wall of China?
- Counting all its branches, it stretches over 20,000 kilometers in total.
- Can you see the Great Wall from space?
- Despite the myth, it's generally not visible to the naked eye from space — it's long but narrow.