December 24th (AMSP/CGTN) – – The Jin-shan-ling Great Wall is the best-preserved part of the Great Wall from the Ming Dynasty, known for its stunning landscape, architectural artistry, and advanced military defense system.
Over the years, Chengde City in Hebei Province has made great strides in perservation efforts, including implementing a monitoring system as part of the so-called, “preventive conservation.”
Located in Luanping County of Chengde City, the Jinshanling Great Wall was built during the Ming Dynasty, stretching for 10.5 kilometers. It is seen as one of the most representative sections of this iconic Chinese landmark, featuring five strategically placed passes, 67 watchtowers, and three beacon towers. This complete military defense system makes it especially unique.
“The highest point behind us is the General’s Tower, which serves as the core of a comprehensive defense system that includes two beacon towers on the mountain’s far side, a horse-blocking wall on the hillside, and barrier walls that were built perpendicular to the wall,” said Guo Zhongxing, Director of the Jinshanling Great Wall Cultural Heritage Protection Center.
Over the past decade, key advances have been made in areas such as civil defense, technical protection, and restoration of the Jinshanling Great Wall. During a protection and restoration project that was carried out in 2021, local authorities adopted protective restoration measures using “original design, original craftsmanship, and original materials,” aiming to faithfully restore the ancient wall’s historical appearance and characteristics.
“By preserving the cultural value of the Great Wall and ensuring its heritage is well-protected, we aim to better pass down its history and culture, allowing it to radiate with new vitality,” added the Director Jinshanling Great Wall Cultural Heritage Protection Center.
In 2018, a Global Navigation Satellite System monitoring project was implemented at the Jinshanling Great Wall, with tracking equipment installed at over 20 key points along its path. This marked a transition from “rescuing conservation” to “preventive conservation”.
“In the future, we plan to digitize all sections of the Jinshanling Great Wall through aerial survey modeling and 3D modeling, providing a more scientifically accurate foundation for future preservation and restoration efforts,” Guo Zhongxing disclosed.
The Jinshanling section features nearly all of the architectural forms from the parts of the Great Wall that were built during the Ming Dynasty, attracting hordes of visitors to appreciate the magnificent scenery here year-round.
“Upon arriving at this section of the Great Wall, I feel that it has been exceptionally well-preserved. It is quite a marvel of engineering and we should all play our part in protecting it,” said a tourist.
Capitalizing on the Great Wall national cultural parks, the local government has been promoting cultural tourism along the Jinshanling section and has implemented 15 key tourism projects, including a skiing resort, a wetland park, and various art centers.
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