Despite all dangers an old man guards the Great Wall voluntarily for 36 years

The 65-year-old man has lived at the foot of the Great Wall since his birth, and regards protecting the Great Wall as his personal mission. Over the past 36 years, he patrolled along the Wall every week, being lapidated, slipping and injuring himself, and being attacked by people who do not understand why he’s doing what he’s doing. However, he has never changed his mind. Now, 36 years have passed and numerous volunteers come to protect the Great Wall with him. Recently, the local government is building a road leading to the Great Wall. At the same time, the Wild Great Wall development and protection has been put on the agenda.

Not far from the mountain top, Old Mei found a brick that had slid  down from the Great Wall and carried it to the ruins of the Wild  Great Wall

Attached to the Great Wall bricks and ancient walls since he was young

The senior is called Mei Jingtian, and lives in Shixia Village, Badaling Town, Yanqing County. The most lasting memory from Mei’s childhood was the Great Wall bricks in the western part of the village that extended and mixed with hills, as well as the remains of the tower at Shixia Pass in the center of the village. “When I was young, I used to graze sheep amid the derelict walls, and rest against these walls when I was tired,” said Mei. At that time, when there were people sabotaging the Great Wall, Mei’s grandpa would stand up to stop them. Consequently, Mei has developed special feelings towards the Great Wall since he was young. “I always feel that there are many stories hidden in these walls.”

Between the 1950’s and 1960’s, the Great Wall near the Shixia Village was ruthlessly sabotaged, and the tower at Shixia Pass that is 200 meters away from Mei’s home was dismantled in 1953. Seeing these bricks, which had witnessed life’s twists and turns, collapsing one by one, Mei was unwilling to leave. On that day, he finally found the tablet inscribed with “Shixia Pass” after a long time searching amid ruins, and brought it home and has treasured it ever since.