The remains of over 130 secret doors along the Great Wall of China, one of the world’s great wonders, have recently been revealed through high-resolution images by a research team.
According to Xinhua News Agency, based on more thorough image analysis and field trips to the Great Wall, the team found that each secret door was designed to fit the local terrain. Experts suggest that these secret passages were intended for scouts, while some were constructed as communication channels between the inside and outside of the Great Wall or for trade in ancient times.
Historical documents from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) indicate that nomadic tribes were allowed to use such secret gates to graze their livestock between Qinghai and Hetao, in northwestern China, an area that had abundant water and grass at the time. Zhang Yukun, a professor from Tianjin University and the leader of the research team, stated that this was entirely feasible as some large secret doors could allow two horses to pass through simultaneously in both directions.
High-quality images of secret passages along the Great Wall of China. (Photo: Xinhua).
“All of this helps prove that the Great Wall is not completely closed, but rather ‘secretly open’,” Zhang added.
Previously, there had been very little research in China on such secret passages. This new discovery is considered a significant step forward in the study of the history and structure of the Great Wall.
The most mysterious tunnels in the Great Wall have also been uncovered by the research team. These passages were documented by scholars during the Tang, Song, Ming, and Qing Dynasties.
Soldiers breaking the camouflage wall of a secret passage at the Great Wall of China. (Photo: Xinhua).
“The side of the secret passage facing the enemy was camouflaged with bricks, while the other side was left empty. The enemy was almost unaware of the location of these passages from the outside, but when the main pass nearby was attacked, soldiers could break through the gate from the inside, like cracking an egg and launching a surprise attack. This is a remarkable testament to the military intelligence of ancient China,” said Li Zhe, along with the research team.
The Great Wall, with a total length of over 20,000 km, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China’s top tourist attractions.