The Great Wall of China has a total length of approximately 21,196 kilometers (13,170 miles), according to a comprehensive archaeological survey announced by China's State Administration of Cultural Relics in 2012
. This length includes all sections built over various dynasties, including walls, trenches, and natural barriers. The most well-known and best-preserved part of the Great Wall, constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), measures about 8,851 kilometers (5,500 miles)
. This Ming section includes 6,259 kilometers of actual wall, 360 kilometers of trenches, and 2,233 kilometers of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers
. In summary:
- Total length of all Great Wall sections: ~21,196 km (13,170 miles)
- Length of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall: ~8,851 km (5,500 miles)
This makes the Great Wall the longest man-made structure in history
