Baotou takes steps to reinforce Great Wall

Baotou city is making strides in reinforcing its section of the Great Wall, Baotou Daily reported on Oct 31.

A small group of workers has been carrying stones to the wall from the nearby valley floor and using them to reinforce the existing structure.

Wu Fuheng, one of the workers, said the stones and rocks being added were once part of the wall but dropped out over the years for various reasons. Wu says the workers look for original rocks and stones to add back to the wall, restoring some of its stability.

The Inner Mongolia autonomous region is home to the longest section of the Great Wall among all provinces and regions of China. The 7,570-kilometer stretch of the Great Wall in Inner Mongolia comprises about one-third of the total length of the structure. Threatened by natural erosion and lack of protection, many sections are in poor condition while some are in danger of being lost forever.

Baotou, the largest city in Inner Mongolia, is home to eight sections of the Great Wall, including one constructed during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and another built  during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC).

The Qin Dynasty section dates back more than 2,200 years and is listed as a national cultural relic. Located in Guyang county, Baotou, this section of the wall runs about 120 km. It was built under the orders of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, in order to defend against raids and invasions by northern tribes, in particular the Xiongnu tribe. 

Guyang county workers reinforce a section of the Great Wall in Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Oct 31. [Photo/Baotou Daily]