China : The crumbling of the Great Wall

Dawn.com Published October 1, 2012
An archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measure out to be 21,196 km.
An archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measure out to be 21,196 km.
A sign stands near a section of the Great Wall of China that is decaying and overgrown with vegetation located near Xiang Shui Hu village.
A sign stands near a section of the Great Wall of China that is decaying and overgrown with vegetation located near Xiang Shui Hu village.
A section of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. It was built to protect the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various groups and military incursions.
A section of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. It was built to protect the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various groups and military incursions.
A Chinese hiker stands atop a section of the Great Wall of China. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC, which were, later joined together and made bigger, stronger, and unified and is now collectively referred to as the Great Wall.
A Chinese hiker stands atop a section of the Great Wall of China. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC, which were, later joined together and made bigger, stronger, and unified and is now collectively referred to as the Great Wall.
The most famous is the wall that was built between 220?206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains today.
The most famous is the wall that was built between 220?206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains today.
The defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire.
The defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire.
The Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.
The Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.
The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia.
The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia.

The Great Wall of China is decaying and overgrown with vegetation can be seen atop a small hill near Xiang Shui Hu village, located 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Beijing September 30, 2012. Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the 6,400 km (4,000 miles) wall snakes its way across 11 Chinese provinces and draws millions of tourists every year, mostly to restored sections near the capital, Beijing. But away from the tourist trail, some parts of the wall are being allowed to crumble away. - Photos by Reuters

World

Read more

On DawnNews
Dawn News English

Latest Stories

dawn images site

Most Popular

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09

Must Read

Opinion

Editorial

Going dry
Updated 07 Apr, 2025

Going dry

The water problem has morphed into a very complex political economy issue.
Afghan return
07 Apr, 2025

Afghan return

AS expected, the government of Pakistan is moving ahead with its plan to forcibly repatriate Afghan Citizenship Card...
Hurting women
07 Apr, 2025

Hurting women

MONTH after month, the figures of crimes against women in the country indicate that our society is close to...
Not cricket
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Not cricket

It is high time that the PCB sets things right; even if it demands a complete overhaul of the system.
Balochistan deadlock
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Balochistan deadlock

Akhtar Mengal’s demands to release women activists should seriously be considered.
Escalating brutality
Updated 06 Apr, 2025

Escalating brutality

The world’s patience is running out. Israel must be held accountable under international law for war crimes.