Watch How These 12 Amazing Landmarks Get Ruined By Tourists

The Great Wall of China

Construction of this epic fortification, which extends thousands of miles in sections from Shanhaiguan on China’s east coast to Jiayuguan in the west, first began in 771 BC. It was built as a mighty line of defense against enemy invasions. Large parts of the Great Wall were built during the Ming Dynasty of 1368-1644.

Ironically, however, the country’s greatest historic site, which attracts 10 million visitors a year, is facing a more worrying onslaught.

It has sustained substantial damage from over-tourism as well as vandals stealing bricks or leaving graffiti. The most-visited stretches of the monument are those north of capital Beijing such as Badaling.