Great Wall's protector still standing tall after 40 years

A part of the Great Wall, including 10 towers and one gate, has been badly damaged over time due to natural and human factors.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Unlike many well-maintained tourist attractions, such as Badaling in Beijing, Shanhaiguan in Qinhuangdao, and Jinshanling in Chengde, the section has been seriously damaged, with only two of its towers in good condition.

This dream of Liu might also come true.

According to the Relics Bureau of Chengde, the city has submitted an application for repairing the section to the nation's top government organ for the preservation of cultural relics - State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

Like Liu, there were 3,400 protectors across the country as of June last year, scattered in 404 counties along the 21,000 km of the Great Wall in China, according to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.

Most of them are villagers who are familiar with local geographical circumstances and can be efficient in patrolling the Walls, said an official at the Relics Bureau of Chengde, surnamed Du.

About a year ago, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage started to issue official work cards to Great Wall protectors, a move that shows the importance the country is putting on preserving the cultural heritage.

"For regular patrol, the protectors are irreplaceable strength in protecting the Great Wall," said Gu Yucai, deputy head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage.