Unit 5

Passport to Adventure

"We shall listen, not lecture; learn, not threaten. We will enhance our safety by earning the respect of others and showing respect for them." ~ Theodore C. Sorensen

The Great Wall of China is actually not simply "a wall." Historical facts show that it was a comprehensive fortification, consisting of overlapping walls and trenches for blocking enemies, watchtowers and beacon towers for signals and communication, fortresses for head-on battles, and barracks to accommodate soldiers. These well-designed fortifications formed a solid defence for the capital city of Beijing.

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Environment

Overrun

With a population of 1.379 billion in 2016, China is trying to fight for tourist attractions. China's National Tourism Administration is considering implementing dividing holidays into two categories -- national and local -- so China's millions of travellers do not visit The Great Wall of China at the same time.

The current system causes many people to cram all their trips in the same time period, which in turn, causes a negative effect of heavy traffic congestion, a heavy burden on the environment at tourist attractions. This results in a poor quality of experience for the tourists.

Damage

In the Gansu portion of The Wall, a portion was rented out to farmers in exchange for their restoration of The Wall. As a cost-saving measure, they decided to cover The Wall with cement which damaged its authentic quality. Additionally, they installed a gate where they could charge admission. A short distance away, tourists have pulled grass away from the most endangered segment and nailed Christmas lights to the 14th-century towers. Another example is when highway crews smashed holes in The Wall to make way for new roads. And of course, there is the increase in graffiti, removal of bricks as souvenirs, and sadly, tourists carving names and messages into The Wall.

Commercialization

Poorly executed restoration efforts have left sections of The Great Wall looking like an unauthentic, Hollywood film set. With the increase in tourism, the most popular section of The Wall, near Beijing has exponentially received the most commercialization. Cable cars, souvenir stalls, garbage, fast-food restaurants, amusement facilities, villas, and over-crowded parking lots pollute the visual effect of this historic structure.

The Future

In 2002, The Great Wall was put on the list of the World's 100 Most Endangered Sites. As a response, the Chinese government added its first regulations and a new national law to protect The Wall. It is now illegal to remove bricks or stones from The Wall, carve names in the bricks, hold raves on The Wall, or build a house against The Wall. Yes, all of these activities were legal before. The law includes an important section that states that all citizens, legal entities, and organization are charged with protecting The Wall and reporting illegal activity to government agencies.

This is vital because a recent survey of the Chinese people indicated that there is a lack of understanding about today's significance and the true value of The Wall.

Local Safety

The Great Wall of China was not constructed as a tourist sight so safety had not been an important factor considered when it was built. The Great Wall can be a dangerous place due to loose rock, steep slopes, and steep flights of stairs, or even ice if exploring during the winter months. Make sure you travel to The Wall with a group and tell someone where you are going and when you will be returning. Lastly, check weather forecasts prior to going to The Great Wall. It is recommended not to visit The Great Wall on snowy or raining days because ice makes it the most dangerous.

Security

How do you protect your country again global invasion and enemies? According to the ancient Chinese people and current US politicians, you "build a wall."

In 220 BC, China's Qin Shi Huang decided to join together sections of fortification to form a united defence system against invasion from the north, thus starting construction of The Great Wall of China. This huge task continued until 1644 BC when it was crowned the world's largest military structure. The Wall is a unique example of a military architectural creation that served as China's single military strategic structure for 2000 years, including advance defence techniques that were adaptable to changing political contexts.

While The Great Wall's main purpose was to protect China from outside aggression, it also served to preserve Chinese culture from the customs of foreign lands.

Safety and Security