Many sections of the Great Wall are in a state of disrepair and urgently need restoration. [Photo by Dong Yaohui, provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Today, the Ming Dynasty section of the Great Wall is observed to be better preserved. Among them, less than 10% is in excellent condition, approximately 20% is generally well-maintained, around 40% is poorly preserved, and nearly 30% is severely damaged and has gone. The Great Wall is often perceived as grand and majestic, yet less than 2% of the remaining sections across the country are well-preserved and have been restored. The condition of most sections of the Great Wall, particularly those constructed from rammed earth, is alarming. They suffer from issues such as peeling, cracking, and crumbling, with an increasing risk of wall collapse.
