Vendors face change at Great Wall

By Alison Sullivan | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2014-08-08 09:00

Wang Caihua tries to sell water and souvenirs to sweaty tourists climbing back down the Mutianyu portion of the Great Wall. Wang, 54, has stationed herself along the wall for the past seven years to help put her children through college. Alison Sullivan / For chinadaily.com.cn

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Che said regulating vendors would certainly be more orderly for tourists, however pesky vendors aren't a big problem at Mutianyu compared to other locations.

"It's pretty good already," said Che, who has 13 years of experience as a tour guide.

Che said regulating vendors would be better for places like Jinshangling, where vendors follow tour groups to try and sell things throughout an entire trip. He said it varies but Badaling and most other tourist portions of the Great Wall have regulated vendors.

Cao, the Mutianyu service manager, said the company removed the vendors to try and improve the scenic area.

"The prices of the products (with regulated vendors) will be more fair and of better quality," Cao said.

Che noted, however, bartering isn't only at Mutianyu.

"For me, it's part of the culture. It's not bad," Che said. "If clients are mature tourists they should understand it."

Chang decided to sell items on the Great Wall four years ago when she didn't make enough money in the village. Like Wang, she carries a backpack full of water and other goods up the dirt path with help from her husband.

"Since my stuff was taken away, I haven't felt like eating at all," said Chang Xilin.

The women said they make between 2,000 to 3,000 yuan ($333-500) per month. Summers bring in more tourists and more money. Chang said her hottest commodity is ice-cold water.

Cao, who's been with the Mutianyu Great Wall Travel Service Company for 11 years, confirmed his company confiscated the vendors’ items. He said company officials are in negotiations with the Huairou district government to recruit vendors approved by the company.

The loss of their goods was a huge hit to Wang and Chang and a potential blow to their children's education. The women, lacking other options, must return to the Great Wall for now. "How can we make a living without selling on the Wall?" Chang said.