The Great Wall Of China in Traditional Chinese: 長城; Simplified Chinese: 长城; pinyin: Chángchéng) is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in China, the great wall was built between 5th century BC and the 17th century to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire during the rule of successive dynasties. The fortifications of the Greta Wall of China that remain today date from the Ming Dynasty, and the longest section stretches 6,352 km (3,948 miles) from Shanhai Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia. The Great Wall of China is generally considered to be the longest man-made structure on earth.