Shafaq News lens at the Great Wall of China
Shafaq News/ The Great Wall of China, one of history's most formidable defensive structures, stretches over 21,000 kilometers across rugged mountains and arid deserts. Built to protect imperial China from northern invasions, it is now a national symbol and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Today, the Great Wall is one of the world's most visited landmarks. The Badaling section, the most popular, attracts millions of tourists annually, including prominent figures.
Shafaq News' camera toured the Wall's many sections, capturing breathtaking images that showcase its grandeur across different seasons. From towering stone pathways to panoramic vistas, the photographs offer a vivid portrayal of this iconic structure's historical and architectural magnificence.
A Defensive Stronghold
Construction of the Wall began in the third century BC under Emperor Qin Shi Huang (221-210 BC), who unified China and ordered the consolidation of existing fortifications into a single defensive line. Tens of thousands of laborers, including soldiers, farmers, and prisoners, worked in harsh conditions, leading to significant loss of life.
Despite natural decay over centuries, successive dynasties maintained and expanded the structure. The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) notably reinforced the Wall with bricks and stone instead of earth and wood, making it more resilient and recognizable in its current form.
More Than Just a Wall
Far from being a mere barrier, the Wall functioned as a comprehensive military system, featuring watchtowers, fortresses, armories, and an early-warning network that used smoke and fire signals to relay messages across vast distances. It also played an economic role by monitoring the Silk Road, one of the ancient world's most critical trade routes.
In the 13th century, Mongol forces led by Genghis Khan breached its defenses, contributing to the fall of the Song Dynasty and Mongol dominance over China.
'Visible from Space?'
A long-held belief claims that the Great Wall is visible from the Moon with the naked eye. However, scientific studies refute this. NASA states that despite its length, the Wall is too narrow to be seen unaided from space, especially since its materials blend with the surrounding landscape.
A Global Heritage Site Facing Modern Threats
In 1987, UNESCO designated the Great Wall a World Heritage Site, calling it 'a unique architectural achievement that embodies the strength and ingenuity of Chinese civilization.'
Yet, the Wall faces multiple threats, including natural erosion, urban encroachment, and the theft of bricks by some residents for construction use. A Chinese government report estimates that 30% of the Wall has been destroyed, while over 60% is in poor condition.
To preserve this historic marvel, the Chinese government has launched extensive restoration projects and implemented stringent laws prohibiting the removal or damage of any section, with severe penalties for violators.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq ramps up repatriation flights
Shafaq News/ Iraq surpassed the critical phase of its emergency evacuation plan, operating 10 to 12 daily flights to repatriate citizens stranded abroad, the Transport Ministry announced on Friday. Officials emphasized that national carrier Iraqi Airways has also extended its support beyond Iraqi nationals, assisting foreign and Arab residents trapped abroad by transporting them to their home countries or to alternative safe zones. The ministry confirmed that since June 15, the airline has maintained a schedule of up to 12 evacuation flights per day as part of the ongoing emergency plan.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq to evacuate citizens from Turkiye via Basra Airport amid airspace closure
Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority will operate a special evacuation flight from Turkiye to Iraq on Saturday, June 21, via Basra International Airport, to repatriate stranded Iraqi nationals. In a statement, the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara announced that a special flight operated by Iraqi Airways is scheduled to depart from Ankara to Basra at 11:30 p.m. local time. The embassy urged citizens wishing to board the flight to immediately visit the Iraqi Airways office in Ankara to secure their tickets. This evacuation comes as Iraq's airspace remains closed due to the ongoing military escalation between Iran and Israel.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Shafaq News
Iran and Israel extend airspace closures amid continued strikes
2025-06-19T14:21:36+00:00 Shafaq News/ Iran's Civil Aviation Organization announced on Thursday the extension of its airspace closure until early Friday, as the exchange of strikes with Israel enters its seventh consecutive day. According to a statement carried by IRNA, the organization said it had decided to extend the suspension of air traffic over Iranian airspace until 02:00 AM local time on Friday. Israel also shut down its airspace following extensive Iranian air raids. The Israeli Ministry of Transportation said in a statement that the airspace would remain closed to both departures and arrivals until further notice. The Civil Aviation Authority advised travelers not to head to Ben Gurion Airport, the country's main international hub. Air travel across the Middle East has faced significant disruptions since the onset of the Israeli-Iranian conflict on June 13th, with multiple regional and international carriers suspending or rerouting flights due to heightened security risks. Major airports in countries such as Jordan, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, and Lebanon have reported delays and cancellations, particularly for routes passing through or near Iranian and Israeli airspace. Aviation authorities have issued warnings urging caution, while several airlines have opted to avoid the entire region, citing concerns over missile strikes and escalating military activity.
