Architecture of Great Wall of China

Introduction of Architecture of Great Wall of China

Defence work of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty was divided into architectures of differing grades, classes, forms and uses, such as fortressed town, castle, garrison city, mountain pass city, stronghold city, city wall, watch tower, wall tower and furnace mound (for making smoke as signal in case of invasion). These architectures are connected with each other and coordinate with each other, forming a complete network of defence projects. But they can be divided in to three parts: Mountain pass city, Beacon fire site and wall.

Mountain pass city
The mountain pass city is a major defence stronghold along the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. During emergency, top generals and high-ranking officers were stationed in the mountain pass city, whose location was considered to be of great importance. Discover more...

Beacon fire site
Beacon fire site were known by a score of names: feng sui, feng tai, yan dun, lang yan tai, ting, sui, etc. They were known as ting or sui or ting sui during the Han Dynasty. In the Tang and Song dynasties they came to be called feng tai. But they were known as yan dun or duntai in the Ming Dynasty.

Discover the architecture of Beacon fire site:

Beacon Fire Site is an independent high platform, with attached houses and facilities to make smoke or start fire, either on top or below the raised platform. Underneath the platform is the sleeping quarter for soldiers, stable and warehouse. The building materials and the structure of beacon fire site are the same as for other defence works. They are either built of stones or rammed earth or bricks and stones. Discover more...

Announcing the function of Beacon Fire Site

Beacon Fire Site of different dynasties

Announcing network and provisions of Beacon fire site

The Wall ( or rampart )
The wall is the main construction work, connecting strategic mountain passes and beacon fire sites into an integrated unit. The wall is built in accordance with the terrain. Its width and height vary from place to place. Take Juyongguan Pass and Badaling for instance. The body of the wall here averages 7 or 8 meters in height. It is 6 or 7 meters thick at the base. The top is 5 meters wide. The wall is therefore narrow at top and broad at base. Discover more...