China: the restoration of the great wall, a marvel in danger

China’s most famous building appears majestic for thousands of miles. The Great Wall of China is once again welcoming visitors, without masks and in ever-increasing numbers. In the vicinity of Beijing, it is a must. “It’s a unique place in the world”says a man. The wall is visited by ten million visitors a year. Built over 21,000 km, it was a line of defense to protect a kingdom from barbarian invasions. Today, she is the one who needs to be protected.

A titanic task

A third of the wall would have already disappeared. The preservation of this heritage has long taken a back seat. Late restorations that often make the headlines in Chinese newspapers. According to estimates, more than 40% of the national treasure, classified as a World Heritage Site, would be abandoned. So, brick after brick, we repair it the old fashioned way. The task is titanic, the workers work 7 days a day with their mules, because the trucks do not pass.