Guardians

Another protective measure is to appoint Great Wall guardians in towns and villages across the six districts of the world heritage site. Currently, Beijing boasts a team of more than 500 individuals who monitor the Great Wall.

Reflecting on his days spent patrolling to protect the Great Wall, Mei Jingtian, an 80-year-old resident of Shixia village in Badaling town, Yanqing district, said: "Everyone in the village now has a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving the Great Wall."

Several of Mei's fellow villagers have become full-time guardians after passing written exams, interviews and physical tests.

In April, a running race around the Great Wall took place in Badaling town, offering both domestic and foreign participants a firsthand experience of this architectural marvel.

The Badaling Great Wall, one of the most well-preserved segments, was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It spans more than 20 km, with approximately 5 km accessible to visitors.

Over the years, the Badaling Great Wall scenic area has welcomed a total of 200 million visits worldwide.

Recently, the scenic area introduced Beijing's first unmanned aerial delivery route, enhancing visitor experiences by providing essential supplies for heatstroke prevention, cooling and emergency rescue.

Looking ahead, the Yanqing government has unveiled plans to connect the Great Wall scenic areas, natural scenic spots, Great Wall villages and cultural relics with hiking and cycling trails over the next two years.

The initiative aims to elevate the Yanqing section of the "Jingji Great Wall" National Scenic Trail into a premier route featuring culture-tourism integration and rural industry revitalization on a national scale.

Moreover, it will turn Shixia village at the foot of the Badaling Great Wall into an example of Great Wall village culture, serving as a model for similar endeavors across the country.