About Great Wall of China: thousands of miles! The Great Wall of China isn't one single wall, but a network of walls, towers, and fortifications built over many centuries by different Chinese dynasties. It was built to protect Chinese states and empires from raids and invasions from the north. Today, sections near Beijing are among the most visited historic sites on Earth. Longest Man-Made Structure — It is the longest structure ever built by humans, even though not every section connects continuously.

Location: Northern China · Built: Begun 7th century BC · Total Length: ~21,196 km (13,171 mi) · Purpose: Border defense · Builder: Multiple Chinese dynasties · Materials: Stone, brick & earth · Unesco Status: World Heritage Site since 1987 · Visitors: Millions every year · Popular Myth: Not visible from space