Human activity and natural effects damage the Great Wall

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By CGTN’S Ding Siyue‍

Ignored and unprotected: this describes the vast majority of the Great Wall. These stretches are also often dubbed the wild walls.

Officials say less than 10 percent of the Great Wall remains in good condition. The rest is in dire need of protection.

Years of wear and tear have taken their toll. And the forces of nature continue to damage the historical site.

The Great Wall was built using various materials over different historic periods, like rammed earth, wood, stones and bricks. These inconsistencies add to the instability of the infrastructure.

CGTN Photo

With plants accelerating the destruction, some portions of the wall are just not strong enough to withstand the constant exposure to the elements.

The Great Wall’s crumbling state is also due to military use in the past. It inevitably bears the scars of war.

But some of the damage is preventable.

Tourists have been seen carving their names onto the bricks. And trash has been left along the wall.

CGTN Photo

For historic preservation reasons and safety concerns, the wild walls that have not been reinforced have been closed to the public. But many still trespass despite the warning signs.

The activities of local residents are also not helping the situation. But because of a lack of awareness, some villagers use the bricks from the Great Wall to build their houses. Others sell them as souvenirs in the black market for as low as 30 yuan or 5 US dollars.

(Video edited by Feng Ran, Xu Xiaoxiao, Wen Kang.)