A visitor at the ticket checkpoint of the Great Wall's Badaling section in Beijing's Yanqing district captured an unusual scene on Sunday: An electronic display showing the names and offenses of five tourists who in May had defaced the Badaling Great Wall. Each of the five tourists were given five days of administrative detention and fined 200 yuan.
The public disclosure drew praise from many internet users, who called it an effective deterrent against vandalism.
Staff from the site's administration said on Monday that naming and shaming vandals has long been standard practice. Offenders face legal penalties and may also be blacklisted from the site. While public awareness of cultural relic protection has improved, occasional violations still occur.
Online ticket purchases for the site include a prominent red warning reminding visitors to protect the Badaling Great Wall, stating that carving or scribbling is strictly prohibited and that offenders will be fined and detained.
On May 19, patrol staff discovered carvings and reported them to police. Investigators identified the suspects, surnamed Zhang and Sun, who had already returned to Shanghai. In the first cross-jurisdiction case of its kind, Beijing and Shanghai police worked together to impose five days of detention and a 200 yuan fine.
Officials emphasize that carving into the Great Wall causes irreversible damage. The site's administration has repeatedly urged visitors to safeguard cultural relics, cherish world heritage, and practice responsible tourism.
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