Biocrusts: Unseen protectors of the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China, a marvel of human engineering and a symbol of ancient resilience, is facing a modern challenge: erosion. However, a natural phenomenon, known as biocrusts, is emerging as an unexpected protector of this iconic structure. A recent study in ‘Science Advances’ has shed light on an unexpected ally in the preservation … Read more

The bizarre theme park abandoned down the road from Disney World

On opening day in December 1993, Americans weren’t sure what to make of Splendid China, and the theme park’s own marketing department certainly didn’t help. “The average tourist does expect a fantasy world, flashing lights and glitz,” the marketing director admitted. “This park is not that.” Splendid China was, America soon found out, a tangle … Read more