Tracing a Woman of Legend

If anyone was to ask you what two people in history are most closely associated with the Great Wall, a good answer would be Qin Shihuang and Meng Jiangnv. Qin Shihuang was the first emperor of a unified China. He it was who, two thousand years ago, gave orders for the Great Wall to be built.

Meng Jiangnv, by contrast, is supposed to have brought the Great Wall down again with her wailing. This, of course, is only a legend. But as with many legends, there is an element of truth in it. In our programme today we’re beginning a short series about Meng Jiangnv, the woman of legend who brought the Great Wall down.