The Great Wall of China in Contemporary Times

After the Great Wall was opened to the public as a tourist attraction, hundreds of millions of visitors have been to its various sections (63,000,000 visitors in 2001).

In peak seasons, the visitor flow can be up to 70,000 per day. With a history of more than 2,000 years, some of the Great Wall sections are now in ruins or have disappeared. However, the Great Wall of China is still one of the most appealing attractions all around the world, owing to its architectural grandeur and historical significance.

The Great Wall is the building project with the longest duration and greatest cost in human lives, blood, sweat and tears. It deserves its place among "the New Seven Wonders of the World" and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Today, the Great Wall is generally recognized as one of the most impressive architectural feats in history.

In 1987, UNESCO designated the Great Wall a World Heritage site, and a popular claim that emerged in the 20th century holds that it is the only manmade structure that is visible from space. Over the years, roadways have been cut through the wall in various points, and many sections have deteriorated after centuries of neglect.

The best-known section of the Great Wall of China–Badaling, located 43 miles (70 km) northwest of Beijing–was rebuilt in the late 1950s, and attracts thousands of national and foreign tourists every day.