HERITAGE RECORD · 438

The Great Wall

长城

The official record, selection criteria and sourced cultural context.

World Heritage record

In c. 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier fortifications were joined together to form a united defence system against invasions from the north. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is matched only by its architectural significance.

Open the official UNESCO record ↗

Wikidata reference

QIDQ65961372 ↗

Area2151.55 ha

Imported locally from Wikidata; it does not replace the UNESCO record or editorial copy.

Selection criteria

This property was inscribed under the following World Heritage Convention criteria.

(i)A masterpiece of human creative genius.

(ii)An important interchange of human values in architecture, technology, arts, town planning or landscape design.

(iii)A unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilisation.

(iv)An outstanding example of a building, ensemble or landscape illustrating a significant stage in human history.

Cultural archive

Related poem

The moon of Qin still shines above the passes of Han; soldiers who marched ten thousand miles have not returned.

王昌龄 Wang Changling · 《出塞》 / Beyond the FrontierOriginal: 秦时明月汉时关，万里长征人未还。Original work in the public domainSource ↗

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