range in the han dynasty(206 bc--1644 bc.), which went to ruin through years of neglect. in the many intervening centuries, succeeding dynasties rebuilt parts of the wall. the most extensive reinforcements and renovations were carried out in the ming dynasty (1368--1644) when altogether 18 lengthy stretches were reinforced with bricks and rocks. it is mostly the ming dynasty wall that visitors see today. the great wall is divided into two sections, the east and west, with shanxi province as the dividing line. the west part is a rammed earth construction, about 5.3 meters high on average. in the eastern part, the core of the wall is rammed earth as well, but the outer shell is reinforced with bricks and rocks. the most imposing and best preserved sections of the great wall are at badaling and mutianyu, not far from beijing and both are open to visitors. the wall of those sections is 7.8 meters high and 6.5 meters wide at its base, narrowing to 5.8 meters on the ramparts, wide enough for five horses to gallop abreast. there are ramparts, embrasures, peep-holes and apertures for archers on the top, besides gutters with gargoyles to drain rain-water off the parapet walk. two-storied watch-towers are built at approximately 400-meters internals. the top stories of the watch-tower were designed for observing enemy movements, while the first was used for storing grain, fodder, military equipment and gunpowder as well as for quartering garrison soldiers. the highest watch-tower at bad
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