“Ordinary with a touch of warmth” describes the stories held within the Great Wall. Today we stand before a section of this iconic structure \u6c34\u5858\u5b50\u6751\u897f\u5357\u6bb5\u957f\u57ce.
The Great Wall is more than just stone and brick. It embodies China’s spirit. It stands as a symbol of unyielding perseverance and patriotic unity. Imagine villagers raising their heads. From almost anywhere they can see the Great Wall meandering along the mountain ridges. For them it is an everyday sight.
\u6c34\u5857\u5b50\u6751\u897f\u5357\u6bb5\u957f\u57ce is part of that spirit. It is a testament to history. The Great Wall embodies the spirit of the Chinese nation. It is a precious heritage left by ancestors. The wall’s role in safeguarding the land is undeniable. The Great Wall embodies the spirit of the Chinese nation.
Shixia village is near the famed Badaling section. Shixia village is embraced by the Great Wall on three sides. It was once a military stronghold during the Ming Dynasty.
Villagers have committed to protecting their section of the Great Wall. Their development and prosperity were made possible by this heritage. They wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping. In it they expressed their love for the Great Wall. They told of the village’s transformation. It went from an impoverished hamlet to a countryside getaway.
President Xi Jinping applauded their effort. He praised them for safeguarding the Great Wall. He encouraged them to pass on its culture. He wanted them to leverage its resources to achieve prosperity. Liu Hongyan is a village representative and Great Wall protector. She and other villagers were overjoyed by the reply. She felt immense pride and responsibility. Her uncle Mei Jingtian pioneered the village’s Great Wall protection efforts. Since 1980 he patrolled the mountains. He prevented damage and safeguarded the heritage.
In 2006 Mei consulted with the village committee. They established a voluntary protectors’ team. Over 40 villagers signed up. They regularly patrolled to tackle pollution and damage. They dispose of litter and remove weeds. They pick up dislodged bricks. They report damage to authorities.
Liu is now a full-time Great Wall protector. She signed up for a recruitment drive in 2019. She passed exams and a fitness test. She became one of the first protectors in the village. The team patrols nearly 20 kilometers five days a week. They photograph the walls and watchtowers. They upload images to a special app.
The Great Wall brought vitalization and prosperity to the village. It used to be poor with muddy roads. Now it is a destination for weekend retreats. He Yuling is an entrepreneur from Yanqing district. She established Stone Light Hotels in Shixia. She transformed courtyards into guesthouses. The designs kept the buildings’ original simplicity. The guesthouses opened in 2015. The employees also participate in Great Wall preservation.
The village aims to continue making good use of its resources. Great Wall preservation remains the most important goal. Future generations will take up the baton. \u6c34\u5857\u5b50\u6751\u897f\u5357\u6bb5\u957f\u57ce is not just a wall. It’s a symbol of resilience. It is a living heritage passed down through generations.