Beijing: The Great Wall of China stands as a timeless monument to the grandeur of Chinese civilisation, stretching majestically across Beijing’s rugged mountain peaks, where clouds embrace the summits to form a breathtaking panorama that fuses the splendor of nature with the ingenuity of ancient Chinese builders who constructed the world’s longest fortification.
According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse – English, in the misty air where mountain tops merge with drifting clouds, buses halt before the guarded gates of the wall, where strict security checks are carried out to ensure the visitors’ safety, prohibiting the entry of items such as lighters or flammable liquids.
Every day, the Great Wall draws thousands of visitors from across the globe. Some wave their national flags proudly, others arrive in organised tour groups, all pausing to catch their breath and marvel at the imposing structure after the strenuous climb that demands both stamina and determination.
The Wall is surrounded by a unique forest ec
osystem – dense trees and lush greenery envelop the entire area, making the structure appear like a massive stone sculpture carved into the mountainside. From afar, it stretches like a bridge linking modern China to its ancient roots, with the dark granite stones blending harmoniously into the mountain ridges to create a stunning fusion of human craftsmanship and the natural landscape.
As part of a cultural and media exchange programme, a delegation of foreign journalists visited the Great Wall, climbing its steep stone steps in small groups that formed a human chain ascending along the ancient fortification. With each step upward, the Wall revealed more of its endless expanse, crossing mountain peaks and standing as a monumental symbol of human architectural genius.
For many Chinese people, as shared by locals, climbing the Great Wall is a source of deep national pride, symbolising their connection to a civilisation that spans over five millennia. For international tourists, the experience is both a physic
al challenge and a spiritual journey, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the vast Chinese landscape from the heights of this architectural wonder.
The Wall features a series of watchtowers and military forts, which are believed to have been used for surveillance and defence purposes. Originally, the structure was built to protect ancient China from invading forces, particularly during the reign of the Qin Dynasty, which established the first unified Chinese empire, from which the modern name ‘China’ (Qin) derives.
As visitors begin their ascent, enthusiasm and excitement fill the air. But as the steps grow steeper, fatigue begins to set in. Some pause to rest at each fort they reach, driven by the shared ambition of conquering the climb. The narrow stairways, sometimes uneven or sharply inclined, demand focus and care, though protective railings line most sections. Yet every flat stretch that follows each climb rekindles a renewed sense of motivation to push onward toward the summit.
Spanning over 21
,000 kilometers, the Great Wall remains the longest structure ever built by humankind, an unrivaled feat of engineering and endurance. Built more than 2,500 years ago, it was originally conceived as a military defence system to safeguard Chinese cities from northern invasions. Today, the Great Wall – listed among the Seven Wonders of the World – has become both a cultural heritage site and one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, welcoming over 100 million visitors annually.
To preserve the site, authorities have set a daily visitor cap of 65,000 to ensure the monument’s protection and sustainability for future generations.