The Majestic Great Wall of China: A Journey Through Time

Symbol of Enduring Strength Although the Great Wall never effectively prevented invaders from entering China, it transcended its practical purpose. It became a powerful symbol of Chinese civilization's resilience and ability to withstand external threats. When Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered construction of the Great Wall around 221 B.C., the labor force that built the wall was made up largely of soldiers and convicts. It is said that as many as 400,000 people died during the wall's construction; many of these workers were buried within the wall itself.