Starting point in the east is not from Shanhaiguan

Regarding the east end of the Great Wall, it seems to be common knowledge that it starts in the east from Shanhaiguan and ends in the west at Jiayuguan. So is written in most school books and even in the Chinese dictionary. But, it is our biggest misunderstanding about Great Wall. In December 1990, archeologists and experts on ancient constructions and experts on Great Wall came to the conclusion that Jiang Yan Tai, Dandong City of Liaoning Province was the starting point of the Great Wall in Ming Dynasty ( 1368 - 1644 ). It was also recorded in the ancient books.

The misunderstanding may be a result of the following reasons: 1. Great Wall in Liaoning Province are desolete and not easy to be recognized because of age. 2. It has been ruined by weather and war during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911). 3. Shanhaiguan has a very outstanding position, and it has the words on the top " First Pass in the world ".

How long is the Great Wall ?

Luo Zhe Wen, professional expert on Great Wall and ancient constructions, has spent more than 30 years managing to work it out. According to the dynasty records, In Qin Dynasty ( 221BC), the Great Wall extended " from Ling Zhao in the West to Liao Ning in the east". In Han Dynasty, an outer Great Wall was built which had the length of more than 12,000 kilometers. In Jin Dyansty, an extra 8750 kilometers in distance was built with the name Hao Great Wall. In Ming Dynasty, the calculation of Walls being restored and built showed the figure : 8375 kilometers. This would be the general information about the distance of Great Wall. If we add up all the Walls built in the history, the total distance of it shall be more than 62,500 kilometers.