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Length of the Great Wall? No Easy Answer

This question seems easy, but it is actually a very complicated question.

The Ming Wall

Over the dynasties the Great Wall was eroded, built, rebuilt and extended many times. The latest construction took place in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the length was then over 6,000 kilometers. This is the wall often referred to when we talk about the Great Wall.

All the Walls

If all the fortified walls built in the different dynasties around northern China are included, the total length would exceed 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles). See "Great Wall History".

If your goal is to reach the Great Wall, we at China Highlights are here to help you get over all the difficulties. See our Great Wall tours

The Ten-Thousand-Li-Long Wall

The Great Wall has been called "the Ten-Thousand-Li-Long Wall" (万里长城: Wan Li Changcheng) for centuries. One li is half a kilometer, so 10,000 li is the equivalent of 5,000 km (3,100 miles).

Modern Estimates

It seems quite a low estimate of its length, compared to modern estimates of 8,850 km (5500 miles). These estimates include trenches and natural barriers like mountains rivers and lakes. Estimates of the length of actual wall come to over 6,200 km (3,900 miles). However, this includes many side branches that don't contribute to the west-to-east 'length'.

The Word "Wan"

The wall was so seemingly conservatively named because of the Chinese love of using the word wan [pronounced: wann] meaning 10,000 for describing things. Wan also means 'a great number'.

From "Wan Li Chang Cheng" to "the Great Wall"

Estimates of the Great Wall's length are never going to be exact with so much lost to the ages. Also, it is doubtful that the Chinese actually knew how long the wall was or would turn out to be when it was built. So, a better translation of Wan Li Changcheng would probably be "the Great-Number-of-Li-Long Wall", or "the Great Wall" for short.

China Highlights offers tours to all the famous sections of the Great Wall from Shanhai Pass in Qinhuangdao on China’s east coast to Jiayu Pass in the west. Our Beijing Tours usually include one of the more popular lengths of the Great Wall near Beijing.

Other Great Wall FAQs:

Who built the Great Wall when and why?

The first parts of the Great Wall were built in the 7th Century BC when China was still divided into many small states. Read more>>

What protection is there for the Great Wall?

In order to save this cultural heritage, many wise men suggest we should make the Great Wall better understood by the world, and make laws to protect it. Then the world can share this outstanding part of Chinese history and culture in this century and centuries to come. Read more>>

Which World VIPs have visited the Great Wall?

Over the years, dozens of world celebrities have left their foot steps on the Great Wall. Read more>>

What is the best time to visit the Great Wall?

The Great Wall offers a timeless charm to tourists, but scenery varies with the seasons. Visit in a different season and you will get a quite different experience. Read more>>