Question

how is the Great Wall of China a national symbol today?

Answer 1

The Great Wall makes a great symbol because its path is shrouded in myth and its fame only became noted in the last hundred years or so. Today it brings in a lot of tourist dollars, yen, Euros, etc.

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/438

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Deadkid_dk/History_of_the_Great_Wall_of_China

Answer 2

The Great Wall of China was elevated to national symbol of in modern times because of Western fascination with the Wall.