Guardians of Chimie Great Wall

A generation of protectors is stepping up to preserve the wall's legacy, following in the footsteps of three men who have led the way.

- Tan Dawn Wei

The Great Wall is more than just an architectural wonder; it stands as a symbol of resilience, ambition and the rich dynastic history of China, remaining a source of national pride. Stretching over 21,000km across 15 provinces, this man-made marvel has stood the test of time for over 2,000 years, during which numerous emperors have built and rebuilt the chain of fortifications to defend their borders. While large swathes of the bulwark have been damaged or disintegrated with time, a generation of Great Wall guardians is stepping up to protect it, following in the footsteps of three men who have led the way in preserving the legacy of this iconic landmark.

GOING WITH THE FLOW

HUAIROU, Beijing - For almost 50 years of his life, master Great Wall restorer Cheng Yongmao, 68, had never scaled the mighty fortification, despite a childhood diet of stories from his grandfather about the world-famous relic.

From his village in Huairou near Beijing, he needed only to cast his eyes north to see the snaking bulwark that trailed the mountain range endlessly.

Yet, it was only in 2004 - at the age of 48 - that he finally set foot on the time-worn fortress, and only because he was tasked with repairing it as China prepared to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.

"I was astonished. I thought, 'How did our ancestors transport all these bricks and stones up?' I told myself I must do a good job and leave something for the future generations," said the master craftsman, who first apprenticed as a bricklayer under his uncle in 1973 before becoming a construction worker in Beijing.

Since that first climb, Mr Cheng has not stopped restoring the wall, and neither has he let his age hinder him from making the perilous two-hour weekly climb to the Iiankou segment of the wall to supervise workers.