Great Wall guardian goes extra mile for protection

Among those who walk the Great Wall of China in northern Beijing daily is Liu Hongyan, a 45-year-old resident in Shixia village and a guardian of this enduring cultural treasure.

As a child, Liu enjoyed stories and scenery shared by her uncle, Mei Jingtian, who had been dedicated to protecting the Great Wall.

"He used to drop by my home on his return. His stories and legends of the Great Wall fascinated me," Liu recalled. "I wanted to help preserve the Wall, just as he did."