Pic story: protector of the Great Wall

Dong Haining introduces knowledge about the construction of the Great Wall while patrolling a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining uses binoculars to observe a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining rides a motorcycle while patrolling a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Dong Haining observes a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Dong Haining rides a motorcycle while patrolling a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Dong Haining uses binoculars to observe a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Dong Haining drinks water while patrolling a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining uses binoculars to observe a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)

Dong Haining rides a motorcycle while patrolling a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining observes a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining rides a motorcycle while patrolling a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Dong Haining uses binoculars to observe a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

This aerial photo taken on Aug. 20, 2023 shows Dong Haining patrolling a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Dong Haining uses binoculars to observe a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

This aerial photo taken on Aug. 20, 2023 shows Dong Haining patrolling a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

Dong Haining writes records at home after patrolling a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining takes photos while patrolling a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

Dong Haining uses binoculars to observe a section of the Great Wall in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Liu Jinhai)

Dong Haining patrols a section of the Great Wall built in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in north China, Aug. 20, 2023. Dong Haining, 42, has been a protector of the Great Wall since 2016. Over the years, he has patrolled a section of the Great Wall located in the Helan Mountains while clearing rubbish and weeds, and reminding tourists to preserve the wall. (Xinhua/Jin Haoyuan)