In one movement and lasting around three minutes, it employs a number of effective and evocative playing techniques including arco, pizzicato, harmonics, sul ponticello, percussion, col legno and Bartok pizzicato, designed to introduce younger musicians to a number of playing effects, alongside accessible musical and technical skills, offering solo and ensemble opportunities for each player.

The music begins with a slow and stately unison theme, which is repeated pizzicato, before the main theme is introduced against a lively and driving percussive accompaniment. The music has a drive and momentum which is eventually interrupted by a series of dramatic chords to emphasise the amazing history and grandeur of the Great Wall, with a recapitulation of the opening theme ending with a strong, dramatic and sudden unison chord playing Bartok pizz.

The Great Wall of China also exists in a version for violin quartet, also playable by massed violins.