CHINA'S Great Wall Society has collected over 6,000 ideas on how to fix the blemishes on the wall but has decided to leave the wall as it is, the Beijing Times reported Thursday (Apr 27).

The society said that it had studied the suggestions it collected during the campaign, which it initiated in November, and received many feasible contributions on how to repair the blemishes. However, it decided to leave the wall in its current state.

"Experts suggested that we don't fix the Great Wall until more suitable methods of repair are designed," said a senior official from the society after he presented a summary of the public suggestions to experts in architecture, archaeology and ancient relic conservation.

Many flaws on the Great Wall today are from former repairs, most of which affected its historical features. The blemishes are also due to natural corrosion, the removal of the Great Wall's bricks for other constructions and damage caused by tourists, the report said.

In February, the Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage stopped a project called "Love Great Wall" in which couples in love could carve their names on a replica section of the Great Wall for 999 yuan (US$ 124.87). The love wall was located in one of the Great Wall preservation areas.

Editor: Wing