China's instantly recognizable iconic landmark that was once thought to be visible from space, is now known to be visible from low earth orbit on very clear days.
First built in the 5th century, the Great Wall is a series of rock and earthen fortifications that wound its way over deserts, mountains and grasslands which was built several times over and maintained till the 16th century.
Although most parts of the wall have disappeared the existing parts still inspire wonder in everyone who visits it.
The length of the wall which was a subject of much debate has been fixed at 8,851.
8 km, comprising of actual wall, trenches and natural barriers after a very precise survey.
The Great Wall is a 'must see' on every visitor's itinerary, especially visitors to Beijing.
However since only parts of the wall can be visited, it can be quite tricky to choose an ideal place to visit.
The most visited sections of the wall are around Beijing and sadly they are 20th century restorations of the wall that was built in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty and not parts of the original 5th century wall.
The wall around Beijing is divided into formal, informal and wild sections.
The formal areas are public ready with cable cars and other visitor friendly features and are bursting with visitors on most days.
The informal parts of the wall are open to hikers and are the bits where only limited repairs have been carried out.
The wild parts are the crumbling, overgrown bits where no renovations have been carried out and visitors are not encouraged here in order to preserve these original bits and also for safety reasons.
There are several formal and informal sections of the wall around Beijing that are identified by their geographic location or other factors for promotional purposes.
Visitors can see these sections depending on the time they can spare and how they want to see it, whether surrounded by lush countryside as far as the eye can see or just a quick glimpse braving the crowds, hiking parts of the wall, a place with no crowds or even sleeping out on the wall.
Anything is possible.
While only parts of the wall near tourist centres have received a makeover most parts of the wall are in a state of disrepair and are being used as village playgrounds, sources of building material and even have houses built on them.
Parts of the wall have been obliterated to make way for new construction.
Parts constructed in mud have been subjected to severe erosion and will disappear altogether.
The square watch towers that give the wall its characteristic look have totally disappeared in most areas.
Whatever the future of the wall, the renovated bits gives an idea of what it may have been like and what a mighty undertaking it was.
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