The Great Wall of China was first ordered constructed by Emperor Qin during the Qin Dynasty to defend his realm against marauding nomadic tribes, and its construction continued throughout successive Chinese dynasties.

The part of the wall that still remains today formed part of the Silk Road route and was built during the Ming Dynasty. It stretches some 6,350km. Over the centuries, armies were garrisoned along the wall to provide early warning of invasion and a first line of defence. Contrary to belief, its purpose was not so much to deter the northern nomadic tribes and Manchus from entering China, but to prevent them from stealing property and escaping from China.

After the formation of the Qing Dynasty, the wall no longer had any functional use as the country was then ruled by the very people the wall was built to keep out. It then became a source of construction materials for nearby villages and towns, contributing to its deterioration and destruction.