Great Wall of Qi, Ancient defensive wall in Shandong, China
The Great Wall of Qi is an ancient fortification that stretches over 600 kilometers through mountains and valleys, connecting multiple cities from the inland areas to the Yellow Sea coast. The wall passes through eighteen counties and districts, with various sections in different conditions and accessible for visits today.
Construction of the Great Wall of Qi began during the Spring and Autumn Period and was completed during the Warring States Period, spanning 170 years of work. This early defensive structure was built hundreds of years before other well-known walls in China were constructed.
The wall shows local building methods from the Shandong region, where workers mixed earth and stone or stacked them without mortar. These techniques reflect how people used the materials available around them to create strong defenses.
Several sections of the wall are open to visitors, with some areas better preserved than others and offering different walking routes through varied terrain. It is wise to wear comfortable shoes and prepare for paths that lead through hilly ground.
This fortification was built about 400 years before the more famous Qin Dynasty wall, making it one of China's oldest large-scale defensive projects. Its early existence shows how states were experimenting with massive construction projects long before the country's unification.
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