A Timeline of Defense
The Great Wall was not built all at once. It is a collection of walls built by various dynasties to protect against nomadic groups from the Eurasian Steppe. Use the interactive chart below to explore the major construction periods.
The Ming Dynasty
Most of the Great Wall seen today was built during the Ming Dynasty. They shifted from rammed earth to bricks and stone, creating the iconic crenelated walls and sophisticated watchtowers near Beijing.
Construction Scale by Era
Click bars to update infoAnatomy of the Wall
It wasn't just a wall. It was a comprehensive military system consisting of walls, watchtowers, beacon towers, and fortress passes. The construction materials varied largely by local availability.
Material Composition (Approximate)
Early walls used local soil and reeds. The Ming dynasty revolutionized construction with kiln-fired bricks.
Watchtowers (Dili)
Situated every few hundred meters. Served as garrisons, storage for weapons and grain, and elevated firing positions.
Beacon Towers (Fengsuitai)
Built on high peaks separate from the main wall. Used smoke (day) and fire (night) to send signals about enemy numbers to the capital.
Passes (Guan)
Heavily fortified strongholds at key trade routes (e.g., Shanhai Pass, Jiayu Pass). These controlled traffic and trade along the Silk Road.
Plan Your Visit
Choosing which section to visit is crucial. Use the interactive explorer below to find a section that matches your preferred balance of Adventure (Difficulty) vs. Convenience (Crowds).