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The Great Wall of China is
immediately recognizable in this shot.
One of the lesser-known facts about the Wall is that its main function was not to
physically stop northern "barbarians" from entering China. It is clear that although the
wall is 5-8 meters (10-18 feet) tall, it is possible to scale for any determined enemy
force. The main function of the wall was to act as a massive guard post and means of
communication in case of such an invasion. The watchtowers were guarded, and signal fires
and smoke signals were used to signal enemy presence. The messages were passed from tower
to tower, reaching generals faster than any messenger could.
The Great Wall is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is a fitting symbol of
Chinese unity and longevity. This shot is striking for me as it gives a glimpse into the
incredible hardships humans had to endure to build over 6000 kilometers (4000 miles) of the
wall. Although the Great Wall is, well, great, it is minute compared to Mother Nature’s
creations.
See a map of where this photo was
taken!
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