Great Wall guardian goes extra mile for protection

Among those who walk the Great Wall of China in northern Beijing daily is Liu Hongyan, a 45-year-old resident in Shixia village and a guardian of this enduring cultural treasure.

As a child, Liu enjoyed stories and scenery shared by her uncle, Mei Jingtian, who had been dedicated to protecting the Great Wall.

"He used to drop by my home on his return. His stories and legends of the Great Wall fascinated me," Liu recalled. "I wanted to help preserve the Wall, just as he did."

In 2019, when her village recruited full-time guardians for the Great Wall, she saw an opportunity to follow in her uncle's footsteps.

Liu was selected as one of the guardians after a tough vetting process — a written exam, interview and physical test — that weeded out many. She proudly shared the news with her uncle, who was glad to pass the baton to his niece.

Accompanied by the early morning sun, Liu patrols a 20-kilometer stretch of the Great Wall with her team members every weekday for six to seven hours.

She navigates gravelly mountain routes and steep ascents with supplies on her back, including food, water and equipment such as a sickle, a saw and a stick.

Her tasks range from collecting trash and clearing weeds to recording signs of damage to the Great Wall's structure.

"At first, my legs would ache for days," she said. "I once sprained my ankle, and my husband stepped in to help when needed, finishing my daily patrol."

Despite the physical strain, Liu returned to her position upon recovery. The trip demands caution and courage. The strong wind in winter can knock one over, while in summer there are snakes and wild boars to watch out for, she said. Under her uncle's guidance and advice, she became an old hand.

The greatest challenge, however, is dealing with illegal visitors. Some tourists, unaware of the regulations and laws for protecting the Great Wall, attempt to climb the non-public sections and set up tents on the wall.

"Sometimes they argue when we persuade them to leave," Liu said.

"But most of the time, the tourists listen when we explain why their action is against the law. It puts themselves in danger of wildlife attack or getting lost."

She always seeks patience and persuasion. If necessary, Liu and her colleagues call the administrative law-enforcement agency to help.

"In 2023, a man became stuck on the Wall after dark. Not knowing the terrain, he couldn't find his way. Even worse, he had no flashlight, just his phone's light," Liu said.

"The police and firefighters came to rescue him."

Her role goes beyond protecting the Great Wall — she is also an educator. "Many people don't realize that the Great Wall needs protection," she said. "We tell them about its history and the need to preserve it."

Over time, she has seen improvements in how people treat the Great Wall. "Graffiti and trash are less common now. More volunteers join in cleanup events with an increased awareness of preservation," she said.

She explained the need to balance tourism with conservation, hoping the introduction of visitor trails will allow people to experience the legacy while keeping it under good protection.

"My uncle passed the torch of responsibility to me," she said. "I'll pass it on in the future. Safeguarding the Great Wall is more than a job for me — it's part of who I am. It's home."

Guo Yanqi contributed to this story.

dujuan@hinadaily.com.cn