Furthermore, the Great Wall was not a continuous barrier. It consisted of a series of fortified sections that were connected by natural barriers, such as mountains and rivers. This meant that invaders could potentially bypass the Great Wall by taking alternative routes.
However, the Great Wall did serve several other important functions. It helped to control trade and commerce, regulate immigration, and provide early warning of potential invasions. It also served as a psychological barrier, reminding potential invaders of the power and might of the Chinese empire.
In summary, the Great Wall of China was not completely successful in stopping invasions, but it did play an important role in China's defense system and had other significant functions.