ATTRACTIONS
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive, important and famous human constructions in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, and has also been on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World since 2007.
According to historical sources, its construction took several centuries, as well as the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers, mostly slaves.
Moreover, according to modern measurements, there is no certainty about the exact length of the Wall, which should be around 8850 km (of which about 350 km of trenches and about 2250 km of natural defences) according to the most up-to-date estimates. Considering all the ramifications, however, the length increases greatly.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one of the most impressive, important and famous human constructions in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, and has also been on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World since 2007. According to historical sources, its construction took several centuries, as well as the lives of hundreds of thousands of workers, mostly slaves. Moreover, according to modern measurements, there is no certainty about the exact length of the Wall, which should be around 8850 km (of which about 350 km of trenches and about 2250 km of natural defences) according to the most up-to-date estimates. Considering all the ramifications, however, the length increases greatly.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is not really a single wall. In fact, it is actually a defensive system composed of four segments, created at different times: Badaling, Mutianyu, Simatai and Jinshanling. Moreover, many parts of the wall were built with rammed earth, stone and wood.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
There is no real certainty as to how long the Great Wall of China actually is. Its length was considered, until recently, to be 6350 kilometres with varying heights. Measurements carried out in 2012 with the latest technological instruments (infrared rays, GPS) indicate that the Great Wall is 8850 km long (of which about 350 km of trenches and about 2250 km of natural defences), with a total length of 21,196.18 km by measuring all its ramifications, about 2500 more than estimated.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall of China is not visible from space. In fact, it is certainly something very long, but it measures less than 10 metres wide. Many astronauts, even those who have orbited in the lower parts of the atmosphere like the members of the Shuttle, have never seen the Great Wall with the naked eye. Instead, it is possible to see it with the help of telescopes. Certainly, as China claimed years ago, it is not possible to see it from the moon.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
Aerial view of the Underwater Great Wall located in the Panjiakou Basin in Chengde, Hebei Province of China. The Underwater Great Wall belongs to Panjiakou Castle, which was an important military pass during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). After the construction of the Panjiakou Reservoir in 1975, part of the Great Wall was submerged.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
A very old legend suggests that slaves who died during the construction were buried inside the wall itself. In fact, historical findings have shown that human remains were found near the wall but never inside it. Also because the bodies - if they were an integral part of the wall - would have destabilised the structure as they decomposed.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
Also related to the deaths during the construction of the wall is another legend about a beautiful woman named Meng who, after discovering the body of her beloved buried inside the wall, threw herself into the sea in desperation. Even today, in Shanhaiguan, the starting point of the Great Wall, Meng's temple and the rock where Meng waited for her husband to return before learning of his death are well preserved.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
Every year, the Great Wall is visited by more than 10 million tourists. It is one of the most visited works of art in the world, offering unique and amazing views.
Curiosities you definitely don't know about the Great Wall of China
The first banknote containing the image of the Great Wall dates back to 1914. It was worth 2 jiao (20 Yuan cents) at the time and is now priceless to collectors.
Travel without booking
30/09/2023
In the desert of Karakum, in Turkmenistan, there is a huge gaseous crater known as the Gate of Hell, which is presumed to have been burning, without ever stopping, since 1971.
The crater was formed following the collapse of a natural gas cave and the name Gate of Hell was given to it by the local population, who live in the nearby village of Derweze. The name is associated with the fact that inside the crater, with a diameter of about 70 meters and a depth of 20, there is constantly fire, flames and boiling mud. At night, flames are visible even several kilometers away.
According to the local population, the Gate of Hell is a supernatural phenomenon. The explorer George Kourounis managed to take some soil samples inside the crater and from the analysis would have discovered the presence of bacteria that survived despite the high temperatures and present are inside the crater and not in the surrounding terrain.
Villages
28/09/2023
Barcelona is a kaleidoscope of art, culture and natural beauty. Start with the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí's masterpiece, still under construction, and the Parc Güell, with its colourful and imaginative sculptures.
The Barri Gòtic, the historical heart of the city, fascinates with its alleys and squares.
Don't miss La Boqueria market, a gourmet's paradise, and Casa Batlló, another Gaudí jewel. Montjuïc offers breathtaking views and the Parc de la Ciutadella is perfect for a relaxing break.
Luxury shopping and modernist architecture await you at Passeig de Gràcia.
Enjoy the beach at Barceloneta and admire Picasso's art at the museum dedicated to the famous painter.