<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Southern Min </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Tâi - lô </Th> <Td> Bān - lí tn̂g - siânn </Td> </Tr> <P> The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east - to - west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe . Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC; these, later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are collectively referred to as the Great Wall . Especially famous is the system of fortifications built in 220--206 BC by Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China . Little of that wall remains . The Great Wall has been rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced over various dynasties; the majority of the existing wall is from the Ming Dynasty (1368--1644). </P> <P> Apart from defense, other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and emigration . Furthermore, the defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire, and the fact that the path of the Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor . </P>

How long has the great wall of china been around