Tourists flock to full moon party at the Great Wall of China

Tourists that flocked to a full moon party at the Great Wall of China have left sections of the UNESCO World Heritage site in a disgraceful state. Hundreds of foreigners attended the full moon party at Badaling, but after the revellers dispersed, mounds of glass bottles, beer cans and food rappers were left behind.

Some tourists that visit the Great Wall of China have camped on the wall, inserting pegs in the structure to erect their tents. Such groups also leave rubbish lying around and relieve themselves up against the wall.

The section of the wall at Badaling is treated particularly badly as it is one of the most accessible and visited parts. Graffiti and carvings are scrawled across the wall, defacing it for miles.

A British conservationist, William Lindesay, has worked tirelessly for decades to help preserve the Great Wall of China. The clean-up effort is time consuming, as 10 million visitors visit the wall every year.

Tourist facilities such as souvenir shops and car parks have compounded the problem. Some of these facilities have now been destroyed to improve the appearance of the wall, and now, it's illegal for constructions to be built within 500 metres of the structure.

At 8,800km long, the Great Wall of China is so vast that managing its preservation is a monumental task. In its history, the Great Wall of China has been damaged beyond repair. Sections of it have been destroyed to make way for railways and pathways for farmers, and people used to steal stones to build houses.

The Great Wall of China is one of the most famous historical sites in the world. It's the staging for many charity events such as sponsored hikes or cycle challenges. But many people just visit the wall to experience its awesome beauty.

If you are planning a trip to the Great Wall of China, there are sections that are less touristy than others, so it's worth doing a bit of research before you travel.

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