December 24th (AMSP/CGTN) – – China’s Yulin city is home to the longest stretch of the Great Wall in Shaanxi province, spanning more than 1,500 kilometers, and making up 81% of the province’s Great Wall area.
Preserving this national treasure has been a goal for the country, and Yulin has been taking significant steps to ensure its legacy endures. Recent efforts include, expanding the “Great Wall guardians,” and implementing a digital management platform to better safeguard this iconic landmark.
Zhenbeitai is a Ming Dynasty fortress that occupies part of the Great Wall in Yulin, Shaanxi Province. The scenic area here was officially opened to the public in 1990 and has since developed over its 34-year history.
Although it has lost its original function as a critical defensive structure, its historical significance and solemn grandeur continue to attract hordes of tourists from China and overseas.
“The Great Wall is often likened to a colossal dragon soaring across the Chinese landscape. The eastern point is the Dragon Head at Shanhaiguan, while the western end is the Dragon Tail at Jiayuguan. Zhenbeita is located at the center, connecting east and west, and representing the heart of the dragon. It has earned the title of “First outpost of the Great Wall” due to its size, height, and area. It is the largest military outpost along the entire Ming Great Wall,” said He Ze, Great Wall Protection Center in Yulin City.
Now the authorities are implementing drone inspections, app data recording, and real-time high-definition video monitoring to ensure that any problems are identified and rectified with the utmost accuracy and urgency.
“Our team conducts monthly inspections of the Great Wall site. For areas inaccessible on foot, we utilize drones for aerial surveillance. A total of 50 Great Wall guardians have been employed to carry out routine inspections. They use mobile applications to pinpoint locations, photograph, and upload inspection images, thereby fulfilling their responsibilities over the designated sections of the Great Wall,” said Gao Shuzhen, Yuyang District Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeological Research Institute.
The Yulin Great Wall Volunteer Association represents another force dedicated to its protection. From its inception with just four members, the association has since expanded to 128 participants. Founder Gao Qiuyan has even self-funded the establishment of a 700-square-meter Great Wall-themed exhibition hall.
“We’ve also hosted some international groups from around the world, as well as teams from other provinces. They came to explore and photograph the Great Wall, particularly groups focused on digital preservation research and management,” said Gao Qiuyan, President of the Yulin Great Wall Protection Volunteer Association.
Meanwhile, a Great Wall-themed cultural park is being built in Yulin. The overall construction plan is set to be completed by the end of this year. The park will serve as a window for showcasing Great Wall culture in Shaanxi Province, allowing more people to understand and cherish the Great Wall.
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