China - Symbols of China

Great Wall of China
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Wall of China, also known as “Wan Li Chang Cheng”, spans 6,700km and was built by China’s first Emperor, Qin Shihuang. Later dynasties added to it over the centuries to fend off incursions by nomadic peoples from the north of China.
The Great Wall has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, attracting over a million and a half visitors annually. The Great Wall has also inspired many stories and legends. One of the most famous is about Meng Jiang Nü, whose sorrow over her husband’s death caused part of the great wall to collapse. This story exemplifies the hardship and grief experienced by the commoners during the construction of the Great Wall. Many operas and songs have been written about the Great Wall and it has become an important part of Chinese culture.
Yangtze River & Yellow River
Yangtze River (Changjiang) originates from the Tanggula Mountains. It meanders through Chongqing, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai before it ends its journey in the East China Sea. It is the third longest river in the world after the Nile and the Amazon, stretching a distance of 6,400km. Affectionately termed China’s “lifeline”, the Yangtze River supports many activities of the Chinese population.
The Yellow River (Huanghe) lies further north of the Yangtze River. It wanders from Lanzhou to the Bohai Sea. It literally means, “Yellow River” as it carries yellow colored sediments. Although the deposits on the banks of the river are useful resources, the yellow river is prone to flooding and historically has been a threat to the population residing along its banks.