Workers toil to restore perilous part of Great Wall

The Jiankou Great Wall, one of the most dangerous sections, got its name because the shape of the mountains and ridges resembles the notch in the end of an arrow.

Built in 1368 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the section has been decaying because of overgrown plants, the effects of time and strong winds.

Since July last year, scores of workers, organized by the local cultural heritage department, have begun maintenance work to restore and preserve the section.

Each day, workers collectively carry about half a metric ton of building materials up to the Great Wall.

"All of the workers here are older than 50," says Zhang Jianwu, the team leader. "The work is too arduous to be of interest to young ones."

Most workers are from Luanping, a mountain village in Fengning, Hebei province, and they are hardworking and acclimated to the rugged mountain trails. The work is expected to conclude by June.

lijing2009@chinadaily.com.cn

TARGET: The restoration work on the Jiankou section is expected to finish in June.

OLD WAYS: Because of the rugged terrain, mules are the main form of transportation for building materials. The maintenance team has 30 animals to carry out the work.

TOUGH TASK: Each worker has to climb the wall eight times a day, carrying building materials to where they are working.

(China Daily European Weekly 05/26/2017 page4)