The Great Wall of China

An engineering feat rarely matched in the history of the world, the 1500-mile-long Great Wall of China stretches from the shores of the Pacific to the Gobi Desert. It is such a prominent structure on earth that astronauts say they can see it with the naked eye from space. The 2000-year-old Great Wall was originally constructed to shield the ancient empire from invaders, but today it is regarded as a national symbol and attracts hordes of tourists from around the world.

Roland and Sabrina Michaud are distinguished photographers who spent five years photographing the Great Wall. Their previous books include The Gold Route of Samarkand, India of One Thousand and One Nights, Caravans to Turkey, and Afghanistan: Paradise Lost.

Michel Jan is a writer and researcher of language and Chinese civilization. He has traveled widely in northern China and is the co-author of several books, including Travels in Central Asia, Tibet, and The Historic Atlas of Migrations.