A closer look
Why it stays with you
The defences were linked to border control, signalling and the movement of people and goods as well as warfare. Towers provided observation points, while passes concentrated traffic through the mountain barriers. Seeing how a section fits its landscape is more revealing than trying to measure the achievement through length alone.
Each visitor section offers a different balance of restoration, scenery and effort. Mutianyu is a popular organised introduction, while other authorised sections offer longer walks. The wall's steps can be unexpectedly steep and irregular. Choose a route for the experience you want, and avoid assuming that an apparently connected ridge is legally or safely open.
Background reading: Great Wall of China.
