An emblematic representation of Chinese civilization, the Great Wall embodies the spirit of self-improvement and unity.
The section of the Great Wall in Beijing, capital of China, stretches nearly 521 kilometers, meandering from east to west through six districts: Pinggu, Miyun, Huairou, Changping, Yanqing, and Mentougou.
The Beijing section is the best-preserved and most complex among the 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China where the Great Wall resides.
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Great Wall holds immense cultural significance and historical value. In an effort to safeguard and uphold this iconic structure, Beijing has initiated more than 120 protection projects between 2000-23, investing nearly 600 million yuan ($84.58 million) in government funds.
Demonstrating a steadfast commitment to conservation, the Beijing Finance Bureau recently announced an annual allocation of approximately 100 million yuan for the Great Wall cultural belt protection and development plan.
These funds will support initiatives aimed at advancing preventive measures and conducting research-driven restoration work on the Great Wall; enhancing digital protection and environmental improvement along the Great Wall cultural belt; aiding the in-depth development of Great Wall cultural and tourism resources; and hosting events such as the Beijing Great Wall Cultural Festival and the Badaling Great Wall Summit Forum.
Moreover, the bureau plans to back the high-standard renovation and upgrading of the China Great Wall Museum in Yanqing district, allocating increased resources for the museum's operation and maintenance.
By focusing on research-based restoration endeavors, Beijing is propelling the establishment of the Great Wall National Cultural Park (Beijing section).
Protection
In recent years, the city has intensified its systematic protection efforts for the Great Wall, adopting a comprehensive strategy that emphasizes coordinated protection, cultural value exploration, integrated development and public engagement.
By leveraging the research resources of local universities and institutes, Beijing has established a think tank to support ongoing cultural exploration and artifact restoration initiatives.
"We are pooling professional forces, strengthening collaborative efforts in various fields — such as archaeological surveys, cultural heritage protection, ancient building restoration and heritage monitoring — to comprehensively protect the Great Wall itself and its surrounding environment," said Bi Jianyu, director of the Heritage Management Department of the Beijing Cultural Heritage Bureau.
For example, the Research Center for Urban Big Data Applications, affiliated with the Beijing University of City Engineering and Architecture, has carried out multiple monitoring projects on the Great Wall since 2021, together with the Beijing Great Wall Cultural Research Institute.
"My current research focuses on identifying damage to the bricks and stones of the Great Wall," said Wang Zhitong, a postgraduate student at the university.
In the Changping section of the Great Wall, Wang and his mentor use drones to create a three-dimensional model and collect vibration data of the Great Wall. They employ visual deep learning techniques to discern the types and extent of damage to the Great Wall.
Through monitoring and analysis, Wang said they can understand the effects of vehicular activity, rainfall, wind, temperature and lightning strikes on the deformation of the Great Wall, thereby formulating more scientific protection plans.
Also, Beijing has led the nation in the extraction and digital identification of micro-traces found on Great Wall inscriptions, achieving a restoration of textual historical materials.
