Who Protects the Great Wall of China?

The Great Wall is a UNESCO World Heritage Site safeguarded by a multi-layered governance structure:

Lead Government Agency

State Administration of Cultural Heritage (SACH) – Sets national policy, approves conservation projects, funds research, and coordinates with provincial/municipal bureaus.

Key Partner Organizations

• Great Wall of China Society – Non-profit advocating preservation, funding restoration, publishing research, and running public education campaigns.
• China Great Wall Museum (Beijing) – Curates artifacts, exhibits, and archives; serves as a research hub.
• Friends of the Great Wall – Volunteer network organizing clean-ups, monitoring damage, and promoting responsible tourism.
• Local Cultural Heritage Bureaus – Implement on-site maintenance, patrol against vandalism/illegal mining, and manage visitor flow at open sections (Badaling, Mutianyu, Jinshanling, etc.).

Ongoing Challenges

Erosion, tourist foot traffic, vegetation overgrowth, and unauthorized development threaten unrestored "wild" sections. The 2006 "Great Wall Protection Ordinance" criminalizes damage and mandates buffer zones.

Preservation is a shared mission: central funding, local stewardship, NGO advocacy, and visitor respect.