In 221 B.C , the first Emperor (Qin Shi Huang) started to build a great wall right across the north of his empire. He wanted to keep the tribes of Hans and Tartars outside his country. There were earlier walls built in some places by different kings of China, but the First Emperor, now that he ruled all China, decided to complete the wall. He decided to make it run right across from Tibet to the sea, a distance of over 1,500 miles. It took seven years to build.

The great wall ran across wild, steep, mountainous country, over the mountains and down the valleys. North and west of it there were only wild mountains and deserts, and south and east there were the rich Yellow River plains. It was built higher than a double-decker bus. In the most places it was wide enough for eight men to march side by side along the top. It was built of stones and clay. There were huge blocks of stones on the sides and on the top there were more stones. Cars could travel along the top.

About every two hundred yards there were tall, strong towers where soldiers could keep watch for the enemy, and where they could light fires to signal to each other. There were always soldiers inside these towers, winter and summer, keeping guard against attacks from the Hans. There were a few well-guarded gateways with huge wooden gates strengthened with iron nails. These connected the main roads of China to other roads through the mountains and across the desert.

The Great Wall has often been rebuilt through the centuries and much of it running like a snake across the country and can still walk along the top. Much of the traffic which passes through the ancient gateways has not changed much. But today, as well as horses and carts there are motorcars and trucks.

To build such an enormous wall across such wild and mountains country without any modern tractors or other heavy machines was very difficult. All the Emperor’s builders were thousands of men, often prisoners of war. They lifted the earth in buckers and dragged the stones in teams with ropes over their shoulders. They worked in such wild and distant places that it was difficult to supply them with enough food or to make proper shelters in which they could sleep. Thousands of workers died and were buried in the clay inside the wall. The people hated the Emperor for his cruelty. Many people were seized and forced to work on the wall far away from their homes. Many of them never came back.

Superstitious people who believed in magic used to say that the Emperor had ridden across the mountains on magic horses. The wall appeared under him as he went along. Wherever the horse stamped it foot, a watch-tower appeared. But the wall was not made by magic. It was made by the work and lives of thousands of men.

【推荐1】The world owes some of its strangest structures to the masterminds of unconventional architects. Here, we list some most amazing, strangest buildings in the world.

The Crooked House | Poland

Shopping centre in downtown Sopot, the Crooked House is currently considered an architectural marvel. It was designed by Szotynsey who was inspired by the fairytale paintings. This building is a popular tourist spot with some restaurants, bars and shops. It has become the most photographed building in Poland due to its unique impression.

Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum | Brazil

Situated in the city of Niterói. Rio de Janeiro. Brazil. Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum is one of the city’s main landmarks. It looks pretty much like coming from another world, or from the outer space. This Museum was built in 1996, designed by Oscar Niemey, who created it with the help of Bruno Contarini. The amazing building is gathering admiration from all—architects and ordinary people, who like the uncommon and original.

Dancing House | Czech Republic

The Dancing House or “Fred and Ginger” is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building in Prague. Czech Republic. This amazing architecture has its own romantic charm. There is something so sweet in the way the buildings hug cach other for a dance! It was designed by Vlado Milunic in cooperation with Frank Gehry. It was considered as very non-traditional. but with the passage of time it became a centre of cultural activity.

La Pedrera | Spain

Also known as Casa Mila. La Pedrera is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi and built during the years 1906-1912. This extraordinary and stylish building, built for a married couple. is considered to be highly unconventional—there is not even one straight line! Casa Mila was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Visitors can go to the top floor. the attic and roof and have a close look at this masterpiece.

【推荐2】In valleys with thick plants, different-sized round and square buildings with faded yellow clay walls and wooden roofs, tulou lie in mountainous villages in Longyan, Fujian Province. There are more than 23,000 tulou in Yongding, which became well-known after 46 were given World Heritage status by UNESCO in 2008. “The structures were awarded because they are exceptional examples of a building of tradition and function demonstrating a particular type of communal living and defensive organization, and, in terms of their harmonious relationship with their environment, an outstanding example of human settlement,” UNESCO said.

The giant multi-storied tulou were built with wood and mud walls. Constructed from the 15th to 20th centuries, these massive communal homes were sited based on feng shui principles, which claim to use energy forces to harmonize individuals with their environment. Tulou are also purposefully resting amid tea, tobacco, rice plantations and abundant forests of pine and bamboo.

Throughout history, tulou residents have mostly been Hakka — migrants in southern China. Population pressures created conflict between the Hakka and their neighbors, so they built their homes to double as defending. The buildings are mainly four or five stories high. The first floor serves as the kitchen, the second is used for grain storage and the upper floors act as living areas. The structures are mainly symmetrical, and their defensive features include ironclad gates, escape tunnels, narrow openings for weapons under the dark-tiled roofs, and a water well. For their defensive function, only rooms on the third floor and higher have windows, which are very small. With sufficient food, the residents could survive in the event of a lengthy conflict.

Communal living is integrity to these villages, where the closed wall design boosts social interaction. Residents gather in the courtyard for ceremonies such as ancestor worship and weddings. Tulou is such an extraordinary piece of architecture, living up to the title given by UNESCO.

【推荐3】Here are some of the best shopping malls in the world.

Mall of America (Minnesota, the United States)

It isn’t just a shopping center; it’s a destination. There are more than 520 stores,50 restaurants, more than 30 specialty (特产) food stores, 14 movie screens, a park, an aquarium, and other unique attractions like the LEGO Imagination Center. The mall is so large that it has its own Visitor’s Guide.

West Edmonton Mall (Alberta, Canada)

The mall describes itself as “the greatest indoor show on earth”. With over 800 stores, over 100 restaurants, an amusement park with roller coasters, a water park, a skating court, themed attractions, and hotels, you can spend your entire vacation within its walls. Shoppers at the West Edmonton Mall can enjoy everything from educational displays to dance parties.

Ala Moana (Hawaii, the United States)

Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, the mall owns a variety of unique features. It is the largest open-air mall. Swinging palm trees (棕桐树) and beautiful Hawaiian sun add to the atmosphere. Creating a Hawaiian experience seems to be part of its appeal because it offers a variety of events including daily classes, Hula shows, live Hawaiian music, and more. While you’re there, also make sure to check out the Art Walk — a multi-million dollar collection of art.

Galleria Vittorio Emmanuel(Milan, Italy)

If antique (古老的) and period art is your thing, the Galleria Vitoria Emmanuele is a not-to-be-missed stop on your journey. Topped with glass round roofs, this masterpiece in architecture has interesting and significant history. Thought as one of the world’s best shopping destinations, it is definitely known mostly for its ancient and splendid architecture, brand name stores, and historical significance.