An ancient settlement's present place in time

Linhai's Great Wall once fended off Japanese pirates but today brings in outside incursions - of tourists, that is.

They besiege the bulwark not only to explore the fortification but also the well-preserved city it was built to protect. (The wall guarded not only against raiders but also floods.)

Yet the charm of the settlement in Zhejiang province is that it isn't overwhelmed with visitors. And it has conserved not only its ancient architecture but also its customs.