Q: Are the hollow watchtowers used to transmit beacon signals?

The hollow watchtowers on the Jizhen Town Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty. [Photo by Dong Yaohui, provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A: Those who are not familiar with the Great Wall often mistake the hollow watchtowers with windows and doors for beacon towers. In reality, the vast majority of the hollow watchtowers on the Great Wall do not serve the function of signaling with beacon fires. The primary purpose of these hollow watchtowers is to store weapons and ammunition and to provide shelter for soldiers from the wind and rain.