Award-winning protector still passionate for Great Wall

Positive changes

The Great Wall section in Xinzhou boasts rich cultural heritage and sizable sections that stretch the area, making its protection challenging, Yang notes.

"I hope to do my part in protecting the Great Wall, help more people understand its immense value and curb its destruction," Yang says.

Over the years, Yang has dug into the history and culture of Yanmen Pass, contributing to the area's tourism development.

He has also supported major publicity events, such as Yanmen Pass-themed photography competitions, which have helped put the area on the tourist map.

Du Juan, a local writer, joined Yang's team five years ago.

"I had just finished writing about the culture of counties along the Yellow River and Yang informed me of the grand theme of the Great Wall in Xinzhou," Du says.

Du has since explored the Great Wall sections across Xinzhou, as well as those in Shaanxi province and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

"Those journeys led me to discover that Xinzhou has amazing, diverse pieces of the Wall," she says.

She has written essays about the Great Wall and stories about guardians in Xinzhou that have put a human touch on the wall, endearing it to the public.

Du is now focusing on the development of a national Great Wall cultural park and the roles of culture and tourism in rural vitalization along the Wall.

In 2015, Xinzhou incorporated the Great Wall into its 2016-20 plan for national economy and social development. Two years later, the city proposed to continue tapping into the Wall's resources and value.

Xinzhou has also built a Great Wall museum and launched maintenance projects in multiple sites, such as historical military campsites.

Key sections of the Great Wall have been marked for protection and officers are appointed in these efforts.

Yang has noticed the positive changes.