(Photo: CGTN)

The earliest sections of the Great Wall, which date back to more than 2,000 years ago, are showing signs of deterioration due to numerous reasons. To repair the damage to the colossal structure, workers have adopted traditional methods.

"The main factors for the deterioration [of the Great Wall] are wind, sunshine, earthquakes and heavy rains. Another reason is the surface damage caused by the disorderly trampling of too many tourists," said Cheng Yongmao, an engineer with the Great Wall restoration project.
The Badaling section just outside Beijing is one of the most popular stretches of the Great Wall, having attracted over 10 million visitors last year. To better preserve the site, the local government recently imposed a daily cap of 65,000 visitors.
In 2016, local authorities ordered a 700-year-old area of uneven pavement be fixed with cement. But the renovation work also covered up the original look of the wall, and inspired authorities to turn back to more traditional techniques.
"We have adopted original methods, original technology and original materials in order to better extend the heritage of the ancient Great Wall," said Cheng. 
This means that workers have to use electric hoists to lay the stones in place. It takes 45 minutes to install just one stone weighing over 100 kilograms. 
"The bricks used are those of the ancient Great Wall. Many of them had collapsed from the original wall," said repair worker Li Jingdong.
In addition to the efforts of the workers, mules also play an important role carrying building materials up the wall's steep paths. 
Getting the Great Wall back to its original glory is no easy feat. But the workers believe that the best way to preserve the past is doing it old-school.