“Three Regions Boundary Stone” a unique monument. It stands proudly atop the ancient Changcheng’s former site. This boundary stone marks a significant point. It shows the collaborative development of Beijing Tianjin and Hebei Province. For sixty years this boundary has connected three villages. These villages are Hongshimen Village in Beijing’s Pinggu District Qiantiaohe Village in Tianjin’s Wuqing District and Qiantiaohe Village in Hebei’s Xinglong County.
The story of the Three Regions Boundary Stone isn’t just about lines on a map. It’s about the people who live and work near it. Take for example Wang Xinjie’s family. For generations they’ve been caretakers of the Great Wall. His father is a Great Wall maintenance worker. His mother works in forest fire prevention. Wang Xinjie says his family protects the Great Wall together. The three sides of this stone represent their shared history and commitment.
Every holiday Wang Xinjie’s father takes his daughter Wang Yushu to patrol the Great Wall. Wang Yushu is now ten years old. She carries her own walking boots. She helps her father inspect the wall. She even takes photos to upload to the Three Villages Collaborative Great Wall Protection App. The app monitors the Great Wall’s condition and helps manage any risks such as hikers trespassing. It’s a system Wang Xinjie’s father uses to report maintenance issues. He also shares success stories of hazard prevention.
Wang Xinjie’s work includes regular patrols. He monitors the wall for damage. He also cleans the area and deters people from climbing on the wall. At night he submits the day’s photographs and reports to the app. This is the last step of his daily work. This routine provides him with a great sense of accomplishment. He feels he’s actively contributing to the preservation of the landmark. The Three Regions Boundary Stone sits on a section of the Great Wall. This section is only a few tens of square meters in size. But the pathways around it stretch for thousands of meters. Wang Xinjie’s patrol involves many kilometers of walking.
The cooperation between the three villages started in 2014. It’s a significant development in local Great Wall preservation and fire prevention. Through information sharing via apps responses to any risks are faster. The number of visitors is limited too. This reduces risks and ensures the site is protected. The Three Regions Boundary Stone stands as a symbol. It highlights the combined efforts in protecting this historical site. Today the path is improved greatly. It provides easier access for visitors and villagers. It’s a happy ending. The villagers have better lives. The kids have new things to paint. The future is bright for the Three Regions Boundary Stone.