The Great Wall, symbolizing China’s ancient civilization, is one of the world’s most renowned projects. A well-know popular saying goes: “He who hadn’t been to the Great Wall is not a true man”/ “You are not a pluck hero till you climb the Great Wall.” Therefore, everyone tried to make it.
Construction of the Wall first began during the period of the Warring States (476 BC-21 BC). Formerly, walls were built at strategic points by different kingdoms to protect their northern territories. In 221 BC after the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty unified China, he decided to have the walls linked up and extended.
Historical records show that about one million people, one-fifth of China’s population at the time. were involved in the project, which took more than ten years. When it was finished we call it “Wan Li Chang Cheng” which means “Ten Thousand Li (5,000 kilometers) Long Wall” .Now, nature has taken over most of the Great Wall.
The Great Wall, which we are going to visit, was rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty in the 16th century. It extends from Shanhai (mountain and sea) Pass ,a seaport along the coast of Bohai Bay, to Jiayu Pass in Gansu Province. Its total length is more than 6,700 kilometers.
Shui Guan (Water Pass) is located at Yanqing County, two kms (1.24 miles) away from Badaling Great Wall. Open to pubic in 1995, it is an ideal supplement to the Badaling's tourist attractions.
Shui Guan (Water Pass), which was first built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), was an indispensable part of the defense system of Badaling Great Wall. The pass mainly functioned to defend against invaders by the force of torrential water flowing through between the two mountains. It is one of the best preserved sections of the Great Wall of China, which stretches about one thousand meters (0.62 miles). It also has seven enemy towers and an arrow tower which is 15 meters (50 feet) in height and 12 meters (40 feet) in width. Looking out from the arrow tower, you can imagine an ancient battle fields and see the importance of the wall as a defense against invaders.
Other interesting visitor sites located at the foot of Shui Guan are the Memorial Gardens of Chinese Personages, the Stone Buddha Temple, Genghis Khan Palace, and Pet World.