The GreatWall(长城）英文版

One of the greatest architectures in the history of human civilisation, the Great Wall of China was firsterected as a defensive barrier during the Spring and Autumn period (722-481 BC) and the Warring Statesperiod (475-221 BC). Starting in 214 BC, Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of the Qun dynasty, spent eightyears linking sections of earlier fortifications into a stronger defensive system to protect the northern borderagainst invaders. Construction of the wall continued on and off until the 17th century. Most of the presentstructure, however, dates from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Paved with bricks set in mortar, the walkway ofthe wall (33 ft wide, Ift thick) rebuilt in the Ming period measures more than twice the circumference of theequator. And the total length of walls built in various dynasties, if joined together, would be 31,000 miles.　Like a giant and awe-inspiring dragon, the great defensive structure follows a winding course that stretchesover mountains and hills, along the borders of deserts, and across grasslands and rivers.
The architectural grandeur and cultural significance of this ageless structure are truly amazing. Onlywhen you have seen it with your own eyes can you truly understand why the Great Wall symbolises theenduring spirit of the Chinese people.