Great Wall of China
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The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, wood, rammed earth and rock, generally built along the 8,850 kilometer long northern borders of China to protect Chinese states and empires from raids and invasions by various nomadic peoples of the Eurasian Steppe.
History
The earliest sections of the Great Wall were built under the Qin dynasty and the rule of Qin Shi Huang. After conquering the kingdoms of his opponents,[1] Qin Shi Huang was assisted by the Templar Order in building the Great Wall.[2]
Although it is a junction of several walls built at various times and locations, most of the Great Wall was built during the Ming dynasty. In the early 16th century, the Great Wall was frequently raided by Mongols under Altan Khan. In 1532, the Templar Zhang Yong attempted to let the Mongolians through the Great Wall and into China.[1]
Although the Assassin Shao Jun eliminated several Mongol scouts and closed gates along the Great Wall, the Mongols soon launched a full scale assault on the fortifications. However, the attack was eventually stopped as Shao Jun assassinated Zhang Yong. Thirty-five years later, an Assassin met with Shao Jun at the Great Wall to confirm that the Jiajing Emperor had died of the Assassins' poisoning.[1]
Today, the Great Wall is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. It is considered one of the greatest architectural projects in human history, with one of the longest durations and largest costs in human effort.[1]
References