Drawing on the experiences of his 2,470km solo traverse of the full length of the Ming Great Wall in 1987, William Lindesay recalls how he started view the wall as a subject rather than an object. He has since studied its archaeological and architectural features and researched ancient texts which help to explain the Wall's complex and changing role in China's border defence and foreign policy. He has witnessed a gradual deterioration in the environmental quality of the Wall and has since adopted a conservationist's stance, organizing cleanup days of action and activities to ensure the preservation of the endangered Great Wall.