What are some facts about the Great Wall of China?

The Great Wall of China is one of the most fascinating historic attractions in the world. Construction of the wall began during the Qin Dynasty around 221 BC and it took approximately 500,000 people to complete the massive structure. Today, the wall spans 8,851.8km (5.500 miles) across China from east to west. The Great Wall is easily accessible from Beijing and various other locations across China. Typically, visitors spend anywhere from 2 to 6 hours exploring the wall and taking photos to remind them of their visit to this unique attraction.