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China : The crumbling of the Great Wall

Dawn.com Published October 1, 2012
An archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measure out to be 21,196 km.
An archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measure out to be 21,196 km.
A sign stands near a section of the Great Wall of China that is decaying and overgrown with vegetation located near Xiang Shui Hu village.
A sign stands near a section of the Great Wall of China that is decaying and overgrown with vegetation located near Xiang Shui Hu village.
A section of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. It was built to protect the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various groups and military incursions.
A section of the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. It was built to protect the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various groups and military incursions.
A Chinese hiker stands atop a section of the Great Wall of China. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC, which were, later joined together and made bigger, stronger, and unified and is now collectively referred to as the Great Wall.
A Chinese hiker stands atop a section of the Great Wall of China. Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC, which were, later joined together and made bigger, stronger, and unified and is now collectively referred to as the Great Wall.
The most famous is the wall that was built between 220?206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains today.
The most famous is the wall that was built between 220?206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Little of that wall remains today.
The defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire.
The defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction of watch towers, troop barracks, garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire.
The Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.
The Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.
The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia.
The Great Wall stretches from Shanhaiguan in the east, to Lop Lake in the west, along an arc that roughly delineates the southern edge of Inner Mongolia.

The Great Wall of China is decaying and overgrown with vegetation can be seen atop a small hill near Xiang Shui Hu village, located 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Beijing September 30, 2012. Voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the 6,400 km (4,000 miles) wall snakes its way across 11 Chinese provinces and draws millions of tourists every year, mostly to restored sections near the capital, Beijing. But away from the tourist trail, some parts of the wall are being allowed to crumble away. - Photos by Reuters

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