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Dimensions: How long, high, and wide. Simatai Great Wall is 5.4 km (3.4 miles) long, with altogether 39 watchtowers. At the east of Simatai, the elevation goes abruptly up from 295 meters (968 ft) to 986 meters (3,235 ft), making a breathtaking scene. The wall is very steep and perilous, with the narrowest part only 40 cm wide.
The primary purpose was always to protect the Chinese Empire from the Mongolians and other invaders. Most of the current Great Wall we see today was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and is approximately 6000km long.