Original version

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: Walking the Great Wall of China

Magazines & Reviews

News

Walking the Great Wall of China

27/09/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Walking the Great Wall of China

It took 508 days to complete the first expedition along the entire length of the wall.

It took 508 days for 3 friends to complete the first expedition along the entire length of the ancient structure, well over 8000 kms. They finally finished on September 24th 1985.

It took 508 days for three friends to complete the first trek along the entire length of the ancient structure, well over 8000 kms. They finally reached the Jiayu Pass on September 24th 1985, having documented the condition of the wall every step of the way.  The three men became national heroes as the press followed their progress.  Their expedition also drew attention to the Great Wall, Chinese culture and history and sparked a new era of Chinese tourism.  Yaohui Dong spoke to Rebecca Kesby about what inspired him to make the journey.  

(PHOTO: Yaohui Dong, Wu Deyu and Zhang Yuanhua.  Courtesy of Yaohui Dong)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

Walking the Great Wall of China

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

About BBC World Service