Village steps up for Great Wall mission

Residents protect iconic structure and cater to growing number of visitors, Cheng Yuezhu reports.

The Great Wall, stretching across vast swathes of time and geography, is regarded as a wonder of the world. While standing as a testimony to China's profound history, the winding walls still carry with them stories of the ordinary with a touch of warmth.

Just a 30-minute drive away from its famed Badaling section lies a small village held by the Great Wall in its embrace. Surrounded by the walls on three sides, Shixia village used to be a military stronghold, first established in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

For the villagers, the Great Wall is not a must-visit destination in a lifetime but an everyday sight — they can raise their heads from almost anywhere in the village and see the Great Wall meandering its way along the mountain ridges.