Great Wall’s ‘wild’ walkway gets an urgent makeover

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A dangerous but picturesque section of China’s Great Wall is undergoing renovation after years of natural erosion and human damage has left it in severe disrepair.

The Jiankou section of the Great Wall in Beijing's Huairou district is known as the "wild wall" due to its rugged, craggy and sometimes dangerous areas. Its steepness and peril have enticed a great number of hikers and tourists to climb it.

"It's very famous among hikers and is one of the top ten most popular hiking routes in China," noted one walker, speaking to Beijing TV.

Built in stages over a period spanning from the 3rd century BC to the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Great Wall is in desperate need of renovation in many sections.

CFP Photo

The main damage has been caused by natural erosion, but in recent years, improper behavior by tourists has worsened the situation.

"Some tourists tore down bricks when they were blocked. The bricks are all gone, with only the base being left here," said Cheng Yongmao, the technical consultant of the Repair Project of Jiankou Section of Great Wall.

Cheng, a descendant of a Ming Dynasty construction expert, has spent 13 years studying the Great Wall renovation in Huairou district. He says the repair section is 1,003 meters long, and 30 percent has so far been completed.

CFP Photo

Transportation of materials and workers is the most difficult part of the project. Vehicles can't get close and cattle often take over, just like in ancient times.

"We are trying our best to keep the changes to a minimum and retain its original look,” Cheng said. “It's important to preserve the legacy of our ancestors."

About 30 percent of the 6,200-kilometer Great Wall has disappeared, according to State Administration of Cultural Heritage statistics, and less than 10 percent is considered well-preserved. But returning the wall to its former glory is a costly enterprise.

"A one-kilometer-long renovation will cost as much as 20 million yuan (almost 3 million US dollars). It is very time-consuming and requires a large number of manual laborers to carry new grey bricks and stones up the precipitous mountains by foot," Guo Dapeng, deputy head of the Huairou Cultural Heritage Committee, noted.

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