Ancient barrier brings people new horizon

Capitalizing on the enthusiasm for the wall, many regions in Shanxi are using the historic site as an opportunity to boost local economic growth.

Datong city in northern Shanxi, for instance, boasts 263 km of Great Wall sections in its five counties and districts.

Wu Hongwen, mayor of Datong, said the city is promoting a Great Wall sightseeing route for tourists.

"Just like the famed Yungang Grottoes, one of the top three Buddhist grottoes in China, the Great Wall is likely to become another calling card for Datong's tourism," Wu said.

Weathered by the wind and rain in over millennia and challenged by booming tourism in modern times, protecting the Great Wall has become a pressing concern in regions along the Great Wall.

Pianguan county in the northwest of Shanxi, for instance, has prioritized protecting its precious Great Wall resources, including 126 km of wall, 36 fortresses and more than 300 watchtowers.

According to Wang Yuan, Party secretary of Pianguan, the county has invested more than 100 million yuan ($14.14 million) in protecting the Great Wall over the past 10 years.

"Protection is the prerequisite for using the Great Wall as a resource for tourism development," Wang said.

Li Yali contributed to this story.