Western Great Wall renovation under way

A 2.03-billion-yuan (325.3 million U.S. dollars) program to repair and protect Jiayuguan Pass on the west end of the Great Wall is being implemented, the deputy director of the pass's management committee said.

"It is the largest protection program ever implemented since the pass was built," said Ma Guobang.

Jiayuguan Pass, located 6 km southwest of Jiayuguan in northwest China's Gansu Province, makes up the western end of the Great Wall, which stretches for 6,000 km to end at Shanhaiguan Pass on the shores of Bohai Bay.

Construction on Jiayuguan Pass began in 1372 and was completed in 1540.

Ma said nine of the ten projects that make up the program have begun. The projects include repairing wooden frames and earthen walls, as well as restoring paintings and building drainage systems.

"The renovations cover a total area of 3.5 square km. We aim at building a world cultural heritage park for the pass after the repairs are finished," Ma said.

Jiayuguan Pass was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1987.

The pass was last renovated in 1984, as well as between 1986 and 1989. However, only part of the pass was repaired.

The renovations are expected to be finished in 2014.