Posted on Feb 24, 2026 / Travel

Some parts of the Great Wall are beautifully restored for tourists, especially near big cities like Beijing. But many other stretches are in disrepair or have partially disappeared because of erosion and human activities over time. Weather and natural forces wear at the wall, and in some areas villagers once took bricks to build houses or roads. Efforts are underway to protect and restore more sections, but it’s a huge task. A UNESCO World Heritage listing helps raise awareness and support for preservation, but challenges remain. Some sections are still wild and barely touched, which can be cool to explore but also risky. All this means that while parts are well maintained, the overall structure isn’t uniformly in good shape everywhere.
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