Incidents of Damage to the Great Wall of China

A section of the Great Wall in China was severely damaged after construction workers dug out a large gap as a shortcut to get their equipment through.

The wall was “severely damaged” after a man and woman widened a pre-existing gap in the ancient wall to move their excavator to a nearby construction site in an effort to save time, according to a statement from the police department in Youyu County. This caused “irreversible damage to the integrity” of the wall, as reported by The New York Times.

Police received the report of the damage on August 24, and the alleged suspects were detained.

Historical Significance of the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China stretches across China’s northern border with a history that dates back more than 2,000 years. In 1987, this iconic structure was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

The section that was damaged sits near the township of Yangqianhe. Most of what remains for travelers to see today was built during the Ming dynasty, ranging between 1368 AD and 1644 AD. The structure, which consists of various walls and fortifications rather than a single continuous wall, was originally constructed for wartime defense.

Traveling to the Great Wall Today

Today, many travelers visit this man-made wonder as an easy day trip from Beijing. Recent developments have further simplified access, as China has dropped its mandatory COVID-19 testing for incoming travelers.

China first eased international travel rules in March, previously requiring COVID-19 tests before departure. However, the U.S. Department of State currently warns against visiting, issuing a “Level 3” travel alert. Consequently, they are urging Americans to “reconsider travel” to Mainland China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, potential exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions.