History of Great Wall of China in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 26, 2025

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications built along the historical northern borders of ancient China to protect against nomadic groups. Construction began as early as the 7th century BC, with various walls being joined during the Qin dynasty. The wall system was expanded by successive dynasties, with the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) building the most well-known sections.

1932: Great Wall Myth Appears in Ripley's Believe It or Not!

In 1932, the myth of the Great Wall's visibility from the Moon appeared in a strip of Ripley's Believe It or Not!.

2007: Estimate of Wall Disappearance in Gansu Province

In 2007, it was estimated that more than 60 km of the Great Wall in Gansu province might disappear in the next 20 years due to erosion from sandstorms.

2007: Great Wall Voted as One of the New 7 Wonders of the World

In 2007, the Great Wall was voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, recognizing its significance and cultural value.

2009: Discovery of Unknown Sections of the Ming Wall

In 2009, 180 km of previously unknown sections of the Ming wall, concealed by hills, trenches, and rivers, were discovered using infrared range finders and GPS devices.

2012: Report on Disappearance of Ming Great Wall Sections

A 2012 report by the National Cultural Heritage Administration states that 22% of the Ming Great Wall has disappeared, with 1,961 km of wall having vanished.

2012: National Cultural Heritage Administration Concludes Great Wall Research

In 2012, the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China concluded based on research and surveys, that the Great Wall sites include thousands of wall sections, ramparts, buildings and fortifications spanning over 21,000 km, further concluding that the Ming Great Wall measures 8,850 km.

2014: Repair of Wall Section with Concrete

In 2014, a portion of the Great Wall near the border of Liaoning and Hebei province was repaired with concrete, a decision that has faced criticism.

April 2015: Discovery of Great Wall Sections Along Ningxia and Gansu Border

In April 2015, nine sections of what is believed to be part of the Great Wall, totaling more than 10 km in length, were discovered along the border of Ningxia autonomous region and Gansu province.

2018: Badaling Great Wall Visitor Numbers

In 2018, the Badaling Great Wall saw nearly 10 million visitors, highlighting its popularity as a tourist destination.

2019: Visitor Limit Instated at Badaling Great Wall

In 2019, a daily limit of 65,000 visitors was instated at the Badaling Great Wall to manage the high volume of tourists.

2023: Damage to Great Wall Section by Construction Workers

In 2023, a section of the Great Wall in Shanxi province was severely damaged by construction workers who widened an existing gap to create a shortcut for an excavator, resulting in what police described as "irreversible damage".