The Great Wall of China is the country's most important historic monument and national symbol. However, natural influences and human activity have severely threatened the structure of the Great Wall.
The Chinese government put the "Great Wall Protection Ordinance" into effect in 2006. The Chinese government and the public are becoming increasingly concerned with the protection and restoration of the Great Wall.
Great Wall Threats -Nature and Human Activities
Natural factors that have negatively affected the Great Wall include thousands of years of sunshine, rain, wind, storms, mudslides, and earthquakes.
Human activities cause considerable damage to the Great Wall. The nearby residents take bricks and stones from the Great Wall for their own use, such as building enclosures for their livestock. Some sections of the Great Wall were even cut away to build highways or railways.
The development of tourism has also brought harm to the Great Wall. For example, farmhouses and other public facilities have been built at the foot of the wall. Some sections were altered to cater to other uses instead of being preserved.
Some tourists vandalize the Great Wall with graffiti, throwing rubbish on it, and other damaging behaviors. Moreover, the Great Wall suffered grave damage during previous wars.
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Great Wall Protection
The Great Wall has been severely damaged throughout the course of many years, but now the Chinese government is dedicated to protecting and restoring it.
Actions Toward Natural Factors
The Great Wall of MutianyuA protective forest belt should be established on the deserts and plains to decrease the damage from storms.
The waterproof layers should be repaired and waterproofing agent sprayedon the Great Wall to protect it from rain.
The government is urging the public to protect and improve the environment so as to reduce acid rain, which is a big problem for the Great Wall.
What's more, the government has enacted regulations to prohibit grazing and other negative behaviors on the Great Wall.
Actions Toward Human Activities
The government has strengthened edits efforts to educate nearby residents that taking bricks and other materials from the Great Wall is prohibited. It's trying to ensure that the construction of roads and other public facilities circumvent the Great Wall.
It is strengthening the implementation of these regulations to protect the Great Wall. If tourists drop litter, are caught doing graffiti, or other destructive activities, they may receive a harsh punishment.
Both human activities and natural influences can cause irreparable damage to the Great Wall, so we should do our best to protect it instead of ruining it.
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Things You Can Do to Protect the Great Wall
- Don't litter, draw graffiti, dig holes, take away bricks, or remove any earth in order to ensure the Great Wall is kept in its original condition.
- Planting trees is a good way to protect the Great Wall from storms and rain.
- When visiting the Great Wall, do not leave anything behind except for your footsteps, and take away nothing more than your memories.
- You can share stories of the Great Wall with your friends to help more people become concerned about it.
Visiting the Great Wall with China Highlights
The Great Wall of HuangyaguanThe Great Wall is the symbol of China and, when planning a trip to China, visiting the Great Wall is a must. See our sample Great Wall itineraries for inspiration:
- 2-Day Private Great Wall Hiking and Camping Tour
- 5-Day Private Discovery Great Wall Hiking from Jiankou to Gubeikou
If you are not interested in the above tours, please contact us. We can help you to tailor-make your own Great Wall tour based on your interests and requirements.
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Learn More about the Great Wall
- How Long It Took to Build the Great Wall of China?
- Why the Watchtowers Were Built on the Great Wall?
- What Was the Great Wall of China Made of?
- How Was the Great Wall Defended?
- Why the Great Wall WAS, and STILL IS, So Important?
- Why the Great Wall Was Built?
- What to Pack for Great Wall Trips?
- Current Situation of the Great Wall of China
- Great Wall Threat and Protection
- Over 300 Famous People Have Visited the Great Wall