In a recent interview with a reporter from China News Service, Zhang Xiaoyan, a deputy researcher at the Gansu Jiayuguan Silk Road (Great Wall) Cultural Research Institute, opened up about her deep connection to the Great Wall. “I feel like just a grain of yellow earth beneath the Great Wall. Many years ago, I followed my heart and traveled over a thousand miles from my hometown in Central China to the vast Gobi Desert of Jiayuguan. Since then, I’ve fully embraced the Great Wall and have never looked back.”
Zhang made the significant journey of over 1,800 kilometers from Yuzhou, Henan Province, to become a tour guide in Jiayuguan, where she has dedicated the last 22 years of her life. Throughout this time, she has held various titles, including tour guide, deputy researcher, recipient of the Gansu Province March 8th Red Banner Award, National Labor Day Medal winner, and a “Red Pomegranate” lecturer.
Reflecting on her first visit to Jiayuguan, Zhang recounted, “In 2001, I was a tourist captivated by the fortress known as the ‘First Great Pass Under Heaven.’ That experience ignited my love for the Great Wall. The very next year, when the Jiayuguan Scenic Area Administration was hiring tour guides, I knew I had to seize that opportunity to kick off my career.”
Zhang fondly reminisces about the physical demands of her job. “Exploring the fortress during scorching summer days and biting winter winds was quite a workout. But in my youth, the fatigue hardly registered. I would give seven to eight tours a day from 8 AM to 8 PM, every single day of the year. Even during lunch, if tourists needed a guide, I would happily pause my meal to assist them.”
For Zhang, each tour feels like a special occasion. “Standing on the city walls and gazing out at the expansive desert, I often experience a sense of déjà vu, almost as if I were a soldier stationed here in a past life,” she shared. This feeling has continually motivated her dedication to her work.
When discussing the Great Wall’s military defense functions, Zhang emphasizes the importance of a broader understanding of its significance. “Focusing solely on its defense role would be too narrow and misleading. I strive to help visitors appreciate the Great Wall’s historical, cultural, and economic contexts,” she explained, seamlessly incorporating aspects of Chinese national unity into her narratives.
Recognizing that earlier tours sometimes lacked depth and failed to truly engage tourists, she began refining her insights. Zhang even biked to work during winter, pondering ways to enhance her commentary. One day, after falling into a ditch, she experienced a moment of inspiration for her tour script, momentarily forgetting her pain in the thrill of discovery. She has diligently researched millions of words and written nearly 200,000 notes to ensure her presentations resonate with her audiences.
To foster genuine emotional connections with her visitors, Zhang has compiled over 90 stories that illustrate how the Great Wall encourages interaction and unity among different ethnic groups, weaving these narratives into her tours. Additionally, she has penned over 100,000 words of commentary for both the Jiayuguan Fortress and the Great Wall Museum, guiding fellow tour guides in sharing these rich stories with visitors from around the globe.
As time progresses, Zhang feels the weight of her knowledge and the necessity for continuous learning. She has cultivated a daily habit of reading, taking notes, and gathering information from both digital resources and traditional books. Her office is brimming with texts that reflect her passion for Great Wall culture.
Beyond her role as a guide, Zhang actively participates in numerous educational activities as a contracted research expert with “China National Geography.” Each year, she conducts educational tours for students of all ages, introducing them to Jiayuguan’s attractions and hosting lectures on the Great Wall and Silk Road culture. “I hope that through my efforts, more people will come to understand the cultural significance of the Great Wall and the importance of ethnic unity,” she said.
“Beyond being a military defense structure, the Great Wall serves as a vital symbol of cultural confidence for the Chinese nation. It connects diverse ethnic groups and plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Silk Road,” Zhang asserted. Looking forward, she is determined to further explore and share the rich stories of the Great Wall.
