Photo by Ash Dykes: Courtesy of China Intercontinental Communications Center

In the newly released international collaborative documentary series The Great Wall with Ash Dykes, British adventurer and extreme athlete Ash Dykes reveals the lesser-known but far more interesting sides of the world’s great wonder through his extraordinary journey. The underwater Great Wall, the oldest and most dangerous piece of architectural wonder, along with nearby wildlife and the unsung heroes guarding the ancient relic are featured prominently in this documentary series.

Initiated by the China Intercontinental Communication Center, the six-episode documentary series is co-produced by China, the UK, Singapore and the Netherlands. The event was broadcast in prime time on CCTV 9, the state television documentary channel, for six consecutive days and ended on Friday. Dykes noted on social media that he was excited for it to air in China, and added that dates and channels would be announced soon for the series to air globally.

‘Real life hero’

The series, filmed over more than 100 days, covers several regions in China. It records the rich culture and natural ecology along the Great Wall, presenting China’s majestic and culturally rich natural landscape. In his documentary series, Dyke guides viewers through its complex structure, origins, development, and modern rise, while highlighting the deep historical significance and cultural connotations behind it.

Dykes interviewed more than 50 people along the way. Many of those interviewed were farmers who lived near the Great Wall site and also acted as rangers and safety monitors on key sections of the wall, stopping and reporting dangerous behavior and providing advice on protection work.

“They are real life heroes and should be known…their commitment and dedication to preserving the wall is impressive and I was honored to get a glimpse into their lives. I loved how I also met the young protectors, who gave up city life to be in here near the Great Wall, protecting it. This is not a job for everyone. You need a strong spirit and connections that run deep in your veins,” Dykes said.

Great Wall. Photo: Xinhua

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the construction of national cultural parks with themes including the Great Wall has been included in the country’s cultural projects. December 1 marks the 17th anniversary of China’s national regulations on the protection of the Great Wall. By law, more guards are being hired to protect this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The number exceeded 6,000 in 2021, and so far, Beijing City alone has nearly 500 forest guards.

“The protectors of the Great Wall formed an honor guard on our journey. For me personally, the story went from something with a much bigger adventure angle to something more heartfelt, showing a different side that many people haven’t had the chance to experience. “a chance to learn so far,” Simon Wise, the Australian director of the series, told the Global Times.

Organizations such as the China Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage and the Tencent Charitable Foundation also contribute their share to protect national treasures.

“In addition to providing funds, it took our team five years to clear the grass along the Jiankou section of the Great Wall. By studying every brick of the Great Wall, we managed to use digital technology to restore the image to its original state” We have also launched a WeChat mini program so that people can take a virtual tour of the Great Wall, learn more about our country’s cultural symbol and lead it into the future better,” said Ma Yao in the series.

“More and more technology is being applied to protect cultural relics such as the Great Wall. “Modern technology, such as satellite imagery and surveillance cameras, is used to monitor the condition of the Great Wall, helping to identify areas that need attention and our Series also hopes that through this work, more people will learn about China’s efforts and developments in this area,” said Monica Huang , producer of the series.

‘Extraordinary effort’

As Dykes cycled various parts of the Great Wall in Beijing, he met British ecologist Terry Townshend, who had a decade of bird-watching experience in Beijing. While exploring wildlife near the Great Wall, Townshend shared his thoughts on China’s efforts and achievements in ecological protection.

“I’ve seen some incredible efforts being made and local people are really paying attention and doing everything they can to help protect the environment and cultural heritage. “The Great Wall is a symbol that great things can happen if one country works together,” said Tanggul.

Wise agreed with Dykes, and stated: “A better understanding of what the Great Wall was, was not just something made of brick and mortar or compacted earth, but a symbol of what was possible if people could work together; it can take the form of building extraordinary structures like this. I hope people feel that we have created a modern love story for the Great Wall, led by the Dykes and supported at all times by the Great Wall and the protectors who care for it.”

Wise further said: “My hope is that the series can reach the widest possible audience, and that people in China will enjoy watching it and feel proud. For Western viewers, I hope they can see a part of China that they might not otherwise see.” have appeared before, but they can also connect with the people Dykes meets along the way.

(Web editor: Rosa Liu, 周雨)