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Looking more like a crowded city on a busy work morning than a historical landmark, China's Great Wall was swamped with millions of people on one day during the country's annual week-long holiday.

And instead of taking pictures of the famous UN World Heritage Site, these sightseers can be seen snapping shots of the flood of visitors.

Incredible images reveal more than eight million tourists crammed on one of the world's most famous heritage sites, inching their way along the 13,177-mile attraction.

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China's Great Wall was swamped with millions on one day during the country's annual week-long holiday

Sixteen million people visited the Great Wall - frequently billed as the only man-made object visible from space - throughout the country's annual week-long holiday, which started on 1 October, Rocket News 24 reported.

It's the highest visitor number for five years. 

Known as the 'Golden Week', the holiday was created by Chinese Communist Party officials to promote tourism within the country.  

Huge crowds: The UN Heritage site reportedly attracted 16 million visitors during 'Golden Week' celebrations

Less frenetic: The Great Wall was started in 500 BC and was built to fend off foreign invaders

Take a trip up the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China

The plan however has caused major problems for the tourism industry as it struggles to cope with the huge number of visitors.

All across China tourism destinations reported record numbers, but the flood of tourists has meant that attractions have been jam-packed and locals have had to face huge traffic delays on all transport networks.

The Great Wall was started in 500 BC and first linked up under leader Qin Shi Huang in about 220 BC to protect China's northern border and fend off foreign invaders. 

Instead of taking pictures of the UN World Heritage Site, these sightseeers snap shots of the flood of visitors

China's tourism industry has struggled to cope with the large number of visitors during the annual break 

Popular attraction: The wall was put on the United Nations list of World Heritage sites in 1987

It grew to link up 15 provinces and was reinforced and extended many times during later dynasties.  

Only 8.2 per cent of the wall built during the Ming Dynasty remains intact, 74.1 per cent is in poor condition, and in some sections, only its foundation remains,  China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage has reported.

The wall was put on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's list of World Heritage sites in 1987.