World Cultural Heritage: The Great Wall (4)

The beacon towers: The beacon towers are one of the most important parts of the Great Wall's defense system. They worked as installations passing on military information. The beacon tower as a kind of information passing tool had already been invented long ago. When the Great Wall started construction, they were perfectly adopted. And then, they were improved gradually and became one of the best tools to pass on military information in ancient times. In detail, the information would be passed by using smoke signals during the daytime and by using flames at night, so the signals could be seen clearly whether at day or at night. It was a very fast and scientific method. In order to pass on information about the number of enemy troops, different amounts of flames and smoke columns would be sent. In the Ming Dynasty, signal guns would also be fired to enhance the effect of the warning, and in that way, the signal could be transmitted hundreds of kilometers in seconds. In ancient times when there were no telephones or radio communications equipment, it was a pretty fast way of passing on military information. The geographical layout of the beacon towers is also very important. The key point was that the towers must be built on the tops of high and steep mountain peaks or turning points, and the people on any one side of the towers must be able to see the other two towers next to them so that the signal could be effectively passed along. The beacon tower once was also called the "pavilion," "signal pavilion" and "flame pavilion" in the Han Dynasty. In the Ming Dynasty, it was called the "smoke block." In addition to passing on military information, it also had other functions such as protecting passing emissaries, and offering boarding and providing feedstuff for horses. In some sections of the Great Wall, there were only beacon towers but no walls, which can prove the important role that beacon towers played in the defense system of the Great Wall.

Great value of the Great Wall

The construction of the Great Wall started in the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC), and lasted for more than 2,000 years of Chinese feudal dynasties. It is well-known that feudal society is the most abundant and glorious chapter in the ancient history of Chinese civilization. Most of the important political, economic or cultural events are all concerned with the Great Wall, such as ancient wars, regime changes, and ethnic conflicts. The Great Wall, as a real historical monument, will stand in China forever. The Great Wall has enriched the glorious Chinese culture and art, which has a history of more than 2,000 years. Besides the architectural compositions, shapes, decorations and paintings of the walls, beacon towers, and other fortifications, there are poems, folk literature and Chinese operas on the Great Wall.