Great Wall of China | Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644

The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in history, rising to prominence in the 13th and 14th centuries. They took over the vast majority of Asia including the country of China. The Ming dynasty was the first Chinese dynasty to take back their land after the Mongol invasion and subsequent rule. They governed China from 1368 to 1644 AD and left behind some of China’s most spectacular ruins including the Forbidden City, the Fortifications of Xi’an and a rather large wall.

Sections of the wall built by the Ming Dynasty

The construction of The Great Wall of China started in 220 BC during the Qin Dynasty. It was used to protect from northern invasions and would eventually become the largest military structure in the world, stretching 20,00km across China’s sprawling countryside. Built during the Ming Dynasty, the most pristine sections of the wall lie just north of Beijing and reach over 25ft in height.

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This post is part of an expanded series taken from 37 Wonders of the World in Chronological Order. You can click the link to read more or navigate between individual photo posts beneath the gallery.

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37 Wonders of the World in Chronological Order

For 5,000 years, the world's civilizations have pushed the boundries of creativity to levels beyond previous conpmrehension. In this guide we explore 37 of the greatest Wonders of the World