Today Show Broadcasts from the Great Wall

Matt Lauer broadcasted live from the Badaling section of the Great Wall for this morning's airing of the Today Show. Of course with the time difference, it was nighttime in China. The Great Wall makes a great visual backdrop for a broadcast, but the Badaling section still resembles the Disney version of the Wall to me given its heavy restoration using new bricks to built and enhance it.

One of the most interesting segments of the broadcast was myth busting with Great Wall historian David Spindler. Some of the myths and facts revealed during the segment included:

Myth: The Great Wall can be seen from the moon.
Fact: No, it is way too far away.

Myth: The Great Wall can be seen from the space shuttle.
Fact: Yes, it can be seen from an inner earth orbit if you know where you are looking.

Myth: During the building of the Wall, when workers died they were buried inside it.
Fact: There is no textual or archaeological evidence of this happening.
Myth: The Great Wall is one continuous wall.
Fact: False, there are numerous walls that make up the Great Wall.

Myth: The Great Wall was a failure at keeping enemies out.
Fact: The Wall acted as a great defense barrier when the army was prepared and knew where the enemy was attacking.

The LA Times also had a good article on the Great Wall over the weekend worth checking out. With the opening ceremony of the Olympics set for later this week, expect more newspaper coverage of this monument that lives up to its name. For more info, check out the Great Wall section of my website.