The Datong Ancient Great Wall Heritage Corridor project -- based in Datong city in North China's Shanxi province -- recently won an important category in the 2019 American Society of Landscape Architects Awards. 

Designed by Beijing Forestry University and the Landscape Architecture Planning and Design Institute of Beijing Forestry University, the project received the Honor Award of Analysis and Planning Category.

The US organization said that the Chinese project to build a heritage corridor for the Datong Ancient Great Wall was based on historical and cultural analysis, widespread public participation and field surveys using the latest technologies. 

"This master plan for a 258 kilometer-long Datong Ancient Great Wall Heritage Corridor creates a blueprint for revitalization," the awards jury said. 

"The planning team has begun the process of significant ecological remediation, the establishment of scenic areas to anchor tourism development and the rebirth not just of place, but of community," it added. 

Mainly built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Datong Ancient Great Wall's main parts have managed to survive largely intact despite the vicissitudes of the past centuries. 

However, experts say the cultural relic is faced with damage and further erosion in the wake of a worsening surrounding environment. 

The planning project has built a heritage corridor of 258 kilometers in length and 186 sq km in area which covers five counties and districts in Datong city.

The project aims to realize goals including heritage protection, ecological remediation, a cultural tourism boom and poverty alleviation. 

As for ecological remediation, a green regeneration project with a total investment of 1.5 billion yuan ($210.98 million) has been nearly half completed -- with around 150 million seedlings planted on barren hills, gullies, valleys and plains around the Datong Ancient Great Wall. 

In terms of tourism, sections of road along the heritage corridor have been opened to traffic and several scenic spots have been opened to tourists, which has attracted many visitors to appreciate the charms of the ancient wall.