After three years of preparation, the Phoenix Publishing & Media Group and China Central Newsreel & Documentary Group are making a heavy investment to jointly produce a 12-episode documentary about the Great Wall.

As part of the activities of the 6th China-Shanhai Pass International Great Wall Festival in Qinhuangdao, Hebei province, a kick-off ceremony was recently held for the shooting at the pass' Laolongtou spot, the eastern starting point of the Great Wall.

As one of the biggest construction projects in human history, the Great Wall, which stretches thousands of kilometers westward, has long been regarded as a landmark and national totem of China.

The documentary, named The Great Wall: A Story of China, will show the detailed history and cultural value of the Great Wall.

Besides analyzing the reasons for building the wall during different dynasties and the important role it has played at some historical turns, the documentary will focus especially on historical figures with rich stories.

With modern shooting techniques and new knowledge, as well as new discoveries about the wall, the documentary aims to present to its audience new aspects of the wall.

The documentary, which will be 600 minutes in length, is expected to be released in 2014.