The question “How Long Is The Great Wall Of China?” often leads to discussions about its immense scale and historical significance. However, understanding the length of the Great Wall requires delving into its fragmented origins, long before it became the unified structure we know today. The concept of a long defensive barrier in China emerged centuries before the Qin Dynasty, with various states constructing their own walls for protection. These early fortifications laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the iconic Great Wall.
As early as the 7th century BCE, the state of Chu initiated the construction of a permanent defensive system. This early wall, known as the “Square Wall,” was strategically positioned in the northern region of the kingdom’s capital province. From the 6th to the 4th centuries BCE, the example set by Chu was followed by other states, each facing their unique security challenges and geographical contexts.
In the southern territories of the Qi state, a vast perimeter wall was gradually developed. This impressive structure cleverly integrated existing river dikes with newly built bulwarks and naturally impassable mountainous areas. Primarily constructed from earth and stone, the Qi wall stretched extensively, ultimately terminating at the shores of the Yellow Sea. This demonstrates an early understanding of utilizing natural landscapes to enhance defensive capabilities, contributing to the overall length and effectiveness of these regional walls.
Further inland, the state of Zhongshan constructed its own wall system. This was designed to act as a robust defense against potential invasions from the neighboring states of Zhao and Qin, particularly from the southwest. The strategic placement of these walls highlights the evolving understanding of military strategy and the increasing need for extended defensive lines.
The state of Wei implemented a dual-layered defensive strategy, marked by two distinct wall systems: the Hexi Wall and the Henan Wall. The Hexi Wall, meaning “West of the Yellow River,” served as a crucial fortification against the growing power of the Qin state and nomadic incursions from the west. Initiated during the reign of King Hui (370–335 BCE), it expanded upon existing dikes along the Luo River on the western border. Its reach extended from the south near Xiangyuan Cave, east of Mount Hua, to Guyang, located in present-day Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The Henan Wall, meaning “South of the River,” was built to safeguard Daliang, the Wei capital (modern Kaifeng). This wall was repaired and further extended in the later years of King Hui’s reign, emphasizing the ongoing investment in and adaptation of these defensive structures.
The Zheng state also contributed to this early wall-building era with its own system, which was later rebuilt by the Han state following its conquest of Zheng. Similarly, the state of Zhao completed both a southern and a northern wall. The southern wall was primarily intended as a defensive measure against the state of Wei, showcasing the intricate web of inter-state conflicts and defensive preparations that characterized this period.
Great Wall of ChinaFollowing significant administrative reforms led by Shang Yang, the Qin state rose to prominence, becoming the most powerful among the seven states both politically and militarily. However, this strength did not eliminate the threat from nomadic groups to the north, specifically the Donghu and Loufan. In response, the Qin constructed a wall that began at Lintiao, stretched north along the Liupan Mountains, and terminated at the Huang He (Yellow River). This Qin wall was one of the most substantial precursors to the unified Great Wall.
The Yan state also developed two separate defensive lines as part of their strategic planning—the Northern Wall and the Yishui Wall. These were designed to protect the kingdom from northern groups like the Donghu, Linhu, and Loufan, as well as from the Qi state to the south. The Yishui Wall was expanded from the dike of the Yi River, forming a defense line against Qi and Zhao, Yan’s primary rival states. It commenced southwest of Yi City, the capital, and ended south of Wen’an. In 290 BCE, the Yan state undertook the construction of the Northern Wall, which ran along the Yan Mountains. This wall started in the northeast near Zhangjiakou in Hebei, crossed the Liao River, and extended to the ancient city of Xiangping (modern Liaoyang). This Northern Wall of Yan represents the last major segment of wall construction during the Zhanguo period, also known as the Warring States period.
In 221 BCE, Qin Shi Huang, the first Qin emperor, completed the annexation of Qi, achieving the unification of China. Recognizing that the existing state walls now hindered internal movement and administration, he ordered the removal of these internal fortifications. However, the threat from the nomadic Xiongnu in the north remained. Therefore, Shihuangdi dispatched General Meng Tian to garrison the northern border and undertake the ambitious project of linking the existing wall segments from Qin, Yan, and Zhao. This initiative aimed to create a unified and far-reaching defensive system, known as the “10,000-Li Long Wall.” Construction began around 214 BCE and continued for a decade, involving hundreds of thousands of soldiers and conscripted laborers. While the Qin dynasty fell shortly after Shihuangdi’s death, leading to neglect and disrepair of the wall, this period marked a pivotal moment in the history of the Great Wall, transitioning from fragmented state walls to a more cohesive and extended structure. The concept of the “10,000-Li Long Wall” is significant, as li is a Chinese unit of distance, and 10,000 li is an expression signifying extreme length, emphasizing the intended vastness of this defensive barrier. Although the precise length in modern measurements wasn’t the primary concern in its naming, it highlights the ambition to create a truly extensive and imposing wall.
