Travelling is an excellent way to experience life, by broadening your horizons and learning things, which applies to both adults and kids. Therefore, at the rest of year, why not thoroughly plan and take your kids on a vacation they'll never forget? The Great Wall of China, known as one of the Seven World Wonders bearing exceptional testimony to the ancient Chinese civilizations is always considered as the essential of the best family tour to China. Surely, its grandness and magnificence will impress everyone upon first glance, and furthermore, show children an unparalleled achievement in human history!
The Great Wall is a series of defensive fortifications built against the nomadic groups from the north, some of which can be traced back to the 7th century BC during the Spring and Autumn, and Warring States Periods. Later Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, had these earlier walls joined together and extended. At this point, the Great Wall made its debut as a whole. Ever since then, it has on and off been rebuilt and enhanced, until to the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. When facing a great defensive structure like the Great Wall, Children will be excited to learn about its function, military strategy status and the legendary history, as well as be marveled at the building and engineering skills 2000 years ago.
The Great Wall is indeed an architecture of curiosities. The children may wonder how this great project was built? Who built it? And many more interesting questions. The Great Wall stretches 21,196 km (13,171 mi) through deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus from east to west of China (some walls are now in ruins or have disappeared). It is mainly made of rammed earth, stones and wood in the early times, and adopted bricks in the Ming Dynasty. The construction demonstrates the wisdom and perseverance of the ancient Chinese. However, to build it, the human cost was huge, as hundreds of thousands of workers died.
Strolling on the Great Wall, the horse tracks, watch towers, garrison stations, shelters, and fortresses and passes along the Wall can still remind us the cries of battle. When children are encouraged to explore it, what is likely to come to their mind?
The Wall better preserved and most famous were mainly built in Ming Dynasty, many of which are located in the north of Beijing including Juyongguan Pass, Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling and Simatai. Badaling Great Wall is the most well-preserved but with daunting crowds. So we suggest the family with kids go to the remote Jinshanling section with striking mountain views, or Mutianyu section, an hour north of Beijing, featuring delightful pastoral scenery. Simatai section is more authentic, as It reminds what it looked like 500 years ago. Consider visiting the Great Wall in winter, Children will definitely love this magnificent construction in snow!
