The Great Wall Preservation and Sustainable Rural Development

Project code: DWC-01-26

Location: Cuandixia Village (爨底下村), Zhaitang, Mentougou District, Beijing, China

Closest Airport: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Nearest Station: Pinguoyuan Station (Beijing Subway)
Meeting Point: Pinguoyuan Station (苹果园) on July 3rd (Friday) at 2PM
Participation Fees: 3,000 RMB
Project Dates: July 3rd – 14th, 2026 (12 days)
Number of Participants: 2 leaders and 14 volunteers

Project Needs
The Great Wall, with its significant culture and history, is one of the most important and remarkable World Heritage symbols of China. Despite large-scale conservation efforts, many sections of the Great Wall are scattered in remote regions, where human activities, industrial impact, and natural causes accelerate deterioration and create challenges for protection.

It is crucial to raise public awareness and empower local communities—especially youth—to preserve the Great Wall and understand its importance.

Cuandixia is a historical village dating back to the Ming Dynasty and is rich in heritage. Although the village attracts tourists for its traditional Chinese architecture, temples, and mountain views, maintaining a balance between tourism development and heritage preservation remains essential. Surveys and interviews with local youth and villagers indicate a need to strengthen heritage awareness among the younger generation.

Project Aims
Preserve, protect, and promote the Great Wall (background, history, culture, architecture, and green areas), especially in remote and hard-to-access sections
Enhance international exchange and promote sustainable tourism and development in Cuandixia Village
Inspire future changemakers in world heritage preservation and sustainable tourism or construction

Meals and Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in a local village hostel or in villagers’ homes. Facilities are basic, and squat toilets are common in rural China. Participants will receive food supplies and take turns cooking and cleaning. Food availability depends on local conditions, so the variety of fruits and vegetables may be limited compared to big cities.

Work / Activities
1. Great Wall Comprehensive Protection Technology Experience
Volunteers will learn from local NGO and university experts about the current condition and preservation of the Great Wall. Activities include:

Regular inspection and monitoring of the wall
Basic maintenance of a target wall section
Creating two databases (characteristics and defects) to document wall conditions
Specific tasks:

Maintenance and cleaning (removing dirt, unblocking drains, etc.)
Experiential learning: traditional mortar mixing
Digital technology: oblique photogrammetry and 3D modeling using aerial drones
2. Site Conservation and Ecological Protection
Clean and maintain green areas around the Great Wall
Create plant specimens and simple identification guides
Learn the role of plants in soil stabilization, erosion prevention, and landscape maintenance
Activities include:

Removing invasive alien plants and replanting native species
Collecting plant specimens and creating ecological maps
Designing cultural, educational, or guidance signs
3. Innovative Handicraft Workshop
Learn local intangible cultural heritage crafts (e.g., paper cutting, knotting, traditional food preparation)
Design and create themed cultural and creative artworks in groups
4. Cultural Exchange & Promotion
Share world and cultural heritage from participants’ home countries
Create promotional materials (videos, manuals, pamphlets, postcards) about the Great Wall
Interact with local villagers through cultural activities
Participate in discussions on world heritage preservation and sustainable building practices

Location and Leisure
Cuandixia Village offers panoramic mountain views and well-preserved courtyard houses and temples. Volunteers can hike around the village and visit nearby scenic spots such as Yixiantian (“Thread of the Sky”), a famous filming location in Chinese movies. Major attractions in Beijing—such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the Temple of Heaven—are also accessible.

Local Partner Description
Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture has conducted surveys and long-term Great Wall protection projects since the 1990s in collaboration with the Cuandixia community. Past initiatives include cultural mapping, logo design for sustainable tourism, drone monitoring, and preservation programs. The university is currently working with the Mentougou District government to establish a “Rural Revitalization Lab” focused on cultural heritage transmission.