Great Wall in Need of Additional Protection and Visitor Education

The Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of man’s most ambitious innovations, standing the test of time since its creation thousands of years ago.

But it seems both man and nature are a threat to the wall, for which preservation is a massive task. While some sections, especially those near major cities such as Beijing, have undergone improvements to protect their structures, other portions are crumbling due to centuries of wear and weather. 

In Hebei Province, for instance, torrential downpours have left the wall there fragile and with gaping holes. 

Local farmers serve as volunteer curators, working to remove trees and rebuild sections. In some poorer sections, though, people have stolen ancient bricks from the wall to use as building materials or to sell as souvenirs, displacing an important part of history. 

 The Great Wall of China Society, local authorities, and the Chinese government are working to preserve the important structure, of which 30 percent is estimated to have already dissolved due to natural erosion and human damage. 

Visitation by tourists to lesser-known sections can be beneficial, but guests are asked to be respectful, as some of this new traffic is actually leading to accelerated deterioration.