When Was the Great Wall of China Built?
The Great Wall of China is a symbol that has come to represent the essence of Chinese civilization and its legacy. When it comes to when the Great Wall of China was built. Some people say it was the Qin Dynasty, when Qin Shi Huang unified China and built the Great Wall. However, this is false common sense and has been corrected by historians and archaeologists.
This massive fortification, which stretches over 13,000 miles, was built over a period of more than 2,000 years, beginning in the 7th century BC and continuing through the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century. The construction of the Great Wall of China was a monumental undertaking that required the labor of millions of workers over many centuries.
What Year was the Great Wall of China Built?
The construction of the Great Wall of China began in the 7th century BC, during the reign of the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) At that time, the various states of China were engaged in frequent wars and conflicts, and the walls were built to provide protection from invading armies. The earliest walls were made of earth and stone, and were relatively simple in design.
Over the centuries, the Great Wall of China was expanded and improved upon by various Chinese dynasties. By the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods (770-221 BC) , due to the wars of rivalry between the vassal states, many sections of the Great Wall were built on their borders . The scale and length of the Great Wall in this period were relatively small. The construction sites were found in China’s northern border areas.
During the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), the wall was connected and extended, creating a continuous barrier along the northern borders of China. It was during this time that the wall was given its present name, "The Great Wall of China." The Wall of Qin Dynasty was built on a grand scale, using a great deal of manpower and material resources. It was built on a site that connected the Great Walls of Qin, Zhao and Yan, starting from Lintao in the west to Liaodong in the east.
During the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), the wall was further and fortified and extended to today's Xinjiang. The Han Dynasty also built watchtowers and fortifications along the wall, which served as lookout points and defensive positions.
During the short-lived Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD), the Great Wall was also repaired and reinforced by the rulers to strengthen the control over the north.
The Great Wall of China was rebuilt and expanded once again during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This was the most ambitious period of construction for the wall, and it was during this time that most of today’s existing sections of the wall were built. The Ming Dynasty added watchtowers, fortresses, and barracks along the wall, making it a formidable defensive structure.
The Qing Dynasty was the final dynasty to construct the Great Wall. Nearly 6,300 kilometers of the Great Wall were constructed in Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, and other areas. China Southern Great Wall was also built in Qing Dynasty.
When and Where was the Great Wall of China Built - Important Dynasties
| Dynasty | Historic Period | Main Construction Locations | Key Features |
| Spring & Autumn / Warring States | 770–221 BCE | Northern border regions of various states (e.g., Qin, Zhao, Yan) | Small-scale walls built by rival states; later connected by Qin |
| Qin Dynasty | 221–206 BCE | Lintao (west) to Liaodong (east) | First unified "Great Wall"; linked existing walls; massive manpower used. |
| Han Dynasty | 206 BCE–220 CE | Extended west to Xinjiang (Hexi Corridor, Yumen Pass) | Added watchtowers and fortifications; protected Silk Road. |
| Sui Dynasty | 581–618 CE | Northern frontiers (repairs) | Short-lived but reinforced earlier walls for northern defense. |
| Ming Dynasty | 1368–1644 CE | Beijing, Hebei, Liaoning (e.g., Badaling, Mutianyu) | Most iconic stone/brick walls; added barracks, fortresses, and watchtowers. |
| Qing Dynasty | 1644–1912 CE | Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia; Southern China | The Great Wall of China was finished building |
How Long did it Take to Build the Great Wall?
It is difficult to determine exactly how long it took to build the Great Wall of China, as construction continued over a period of more than 2,000 years. However, the majority of the existing wall was built during the Ming Dynasty, a period of about 200 years. During this time, the wall was constructed in sections, with each section taking between 5 and 10 years to complete.The construction of the Great Wall of China was a monumental undertaking that required the labor of millions of workers over many centuries. It is estimated that as many as 20 million people may have died during the construction of the wall, due to the difficult working conditions and the harsh living conditions endured by the workers.
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Is the Great Wall of China Still Standing?
Yes. Today, many sections of the Great Wall of China stand still, although much of it has fallen into disrepair over the centuries. In some places, the wall has been destroyed by natural disasters or by human activities, such as the construction of highways and railways.
What are the best surviving Great Wall of China?
- Badaling Great Wall, located at the north entrance of the ancient road of Guanguo, Jundu Mountain, Yanqing District, Beijing. It is an important part of the Great Wall of China, the great defense project of ancient China, the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty, and a defile of the Great Wall.- Mutianyu Great Wall, located in Huairou District, is one of the 16 new scenic spots in Beijing.
- Simatai Great Wall, located in Gubeikou Town in the northeast of Miyun County, Beijing, 120 km from Beijing.
- Gubeikou Great Wall, the most complete Great Wall system in the history of the Great Wall of China, consists of the Great Wall of Northern Qi and the Great Wall of Ming Dynasty.
- Jiankou Great Wall, located in the northwest of Huairou County in Beijing, about 30 kilometers from Huairou County.
In conclusion, the Great Wall of China is one of the world's most impressive architectural achievements, and a testament to the ingenuity and perseverance of the Chinese people. While much of the wall has fallen into disrepair over the centuries, many sections of it still stand, and are visited by visitor throughout the world.