Chinese officials are being pilloried over the smoothing-over of a crumbling but much-loved 700-year-old section of the Great Wall of China, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the name of restoration.
The widely mocked project involved an 8-kilometre unrestored Xiaohekou section of the wall that has become known as the “most beautiful wild Great Wall.” Defensive works and guard towers were knocked flat as part of the project, officially launched to prevent further deterioration caused by the elements. Reports said sand and other materials were poured on top, protecting it but giving it the appearance of an elevated bike path running through steep forested hills.
The head of the liaoning Provincial Antiquities Bureau, Ding Hui, was quoted by the newspaper Beijing News as saying the work was completed two years ago over the course of three months as part of a Government restoration plan.