Great Wall of China spans 13,171 miles with 30% undiscovered. The Great Wall of China is approximately 13,171 miles (2,196 km) long It is the longest man-made structure in the world Construction began in the 7th Century BC (approximately 2700 years ago)

21,196 km (13,171 miles) long! The Great Wall took over 2,000 years to build. 🧱 Built with stone, brick & rammed earth. Most is in ruins!

Key facts:

• Approx. 13,171 miles (21,196 km) long

• Built from the 3rd century BC to the 17th century AD (~2,000 years)

• Served multiple purposes: military defense, controlling trade, immigration, and communication

Key Facts

  • The Great Wall of China is approximately 13,171 miles (2,196 km) long
  • It is the longest man-made structure in the world
  • Construction began in the 7th Century BC (approximately 2700 years ago)
  • Construction finished in the 16th century AD
  • The wall served multiple purposes: military defense, controlling trade, immigration, and communication
  • Materials used include stone, brick, rammed earth, and wood
  • Over 2,000 watchtowers and numerous gates were built along the wall
  • Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands to possibly millions of workers were involved
  • Up to 30% of the wall remains undiscovered or buried
  • Average height is 20-30 feet (6-9 meters)
  • Width varies between 15-30 feet (4.5-9 meters)
  • Over 10 million people visit the wall annually
  • A vast majority of the wall is in ruins and not restored

Related site: Great Wall of China — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.