Nearly one third of the Great Wall has disappeared: Media Reports

Nearly one third of the Great Wall of China has disappeared due to natural erosion, destruction by humans and a lack of protection, Beijing Times reports. A research conducted by the China Great Wall Society last year shows that only around 8% of the Great Wall built in Ming dynasty, the most visible section of the Great Wall today, are well-preserved. The rainy season in Beijing and its neighboring Hebei province has led to the erosion of ramparts and part of the wall. Trees and grass growing in the cracks of the wall have also led to the risks of collapse. Meanwhile, human destruction, illegal trade or the practice of stealing bricks from the Great Wall have threated the conservation of this UNESCO world heritage. Some special bricks used on the Great Wall that have caved Chinese characters are being sold by local villagers, who live close to the wall. The increasing number of tourists who explore parts of the Great Wall that have not been repaired have also led to its destruction. Some local governments only protect and repair a short section of the Great Wall, its most symbolic part or the part that attracts most visitors and brings economic benefits. But a major part of the Great Wall, in areas that have not been turned into tourist spots, are in a derelict condition.

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The best places you can visit and explore If you are in China, then never miss out the best attractions, including- Great wall of China, Forbidden City Tiananmen Square and Houhai in Beijing, the capital of China. Shanghai, Tianjin, Xi’an, Hangzhoua and Chengdu are also one of the best cities to travel in China and where you can get native Chinese tourist guides to show you around. As these tourist guides are locals and speak Chinese, learning basic Chinese is very crucial. As at most of the places in China, you’ll find that people cannot speak your language and won’t able to understand you. Hence, for better communication, smooth navigation, to explore the places, culture, people, market, rituals and many other things, you must pick up some basic Chinese beforehand. Food Also, don’t forget to try the sumptuous Chinese cuisine- Noodles, Dumplings, shrimp dim sums, hot pot, peking duck and others. Be prepared to use chopsticks as you relish the Chinese food. You will rarely find vegetarian food, but you can try some Indian restaurants for vegetarian food. Emergency For emergency there are three numbers you can dial 110 for police, 120 for ambulance and 119 for firemen. Hope you find this useful for travelling to China and would want to visit again!