The Great Wall of China was built over more than two thousand years. Construction on the first section began between the 7th and 6th century BC, and the last work on the wall was done between the 14th and 17th centuries.
There are more than 10,000 watchtowers and beacon towers on the Great Wall They were used to house troops, store weapons and send signals in case enemies were seen approaching. Smoke signals were used in the day and fires were lit at night to communicate with other military outposts along the wall.
Some towers are standing complete and others are crumbling. Many have been rebuilt.
 Badaling Great Wall
The Badaling section of the Great Wall is 42 miles/70 kilometres northwest of Beijing. Once you get outside the city and onto the expressway, the trip to Badaling is quick．
The Badaling section of the Great Wall of China is likely the most popular and therefore the most touristy and developed. This is not to say it's not worth a visit, About an hours drive outside Beijing the wall at Badalinq is spectacular. You can hike up snaking sections of walls, enter the watchtowers and see distant views. However you will be sharing this with crowds of other people and plenty of souvenir vendors. The Chinese flock lo the wall as it is said if you haven't been to the Great Wall. you are not a good Chinese. They seem to take this seriously.
A cable car will take you up or down from the wall. You can walk one way and ride the other if you wish.
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