A monumental chronicle of the Great Wall
Chronicles of the Great Wall of China
As the largest series of cultural heritage sites in China and even the world, the Great Wall of China is well-known. Lasting for more than two millennia, its building began during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods around the 7th century BCE, and concluded during the Qing Dynasty in the 17th century. The wall stretches across 15 provinces and municipalities in northern China, with a total length of more than 20,000 kilometers.
With the longest construction time and the widest geographical distribution of any structure in the world, this ancient architectural relic witnessed long-term conflict and exchange between ancient Chinese farming and nomadic peoples, demonstrating the perseverance and hardworking spirit of the Chinese nation.
Consisting of ten volumes, Chronicles of the Great Wall of China is the first specially compiled record to comprehensively explore the history of the Great Wall of China, systematizing fragmented Great Wall studies. The volumes contextualize the Great Wall from a political, economic, ethnic, architectural, military and cultural perspective, displaying the inestimable historical value and irreplaceable role of the Great Wall in Chinese history.
Overview and Chronology focuses on major historical events around the Great Wall. The Wall in Maps and Pictures exhibits an unparalleled series of maps and pictures related to the Great Wall collected at home and abroad. The Environment, the Economy, and the People investigates ways the Great Wall adapted to local environments, its economic impact and its great significance to the development of the Chinese nation. The Wall as Strategic Border Strongholds sheds light on the rigorous, integrated and systematic construction of the wall. The Construction of the Wall analyzes the site selection, layout, forms and structures of the Great Wall.
Remnants of History gives the reader the full picture of the wall site and current conservation. Military Affairs involves wars related to the wall and their essential attributes in different dynasties. The Wall in Literature describes the importance attached to the Great Wall in ancient literature. The Wall in the Arts explores numerous cultural and artistic treasures that were inspired by the Great Wall. Historical Figures pays attention to important historical celebrities and their anecdotes related to the Great Wall.
Although the Great Wall reflected the respective distinctive features of social development during each historical period, the essential nature of the wall was always a political demand for great unification during struggles between farming and nomadic regimes. The wall delayed the cycle of the rise and fall of dynasties and to a certain extent safeguarded the political stability of each dynasty.
Today, the wall’s political, economic and military roles may have faded or even disappeared, but the national spirit and patriotism embodied in it have been carried forward and renewed.
This article was translated and edited from Guangming Daily.
Edited by YANG LANLAN