Party ban at China's Great Wall

The wall attracts huge numbers of tourists every day

Partying and all-night music raves are to be banned from parts of the Great Wall as China imposes laws to protect its top tourist attraction.

Writing and driving on the wall are also among several activities that are being prohibited, the government said.

Anyone who breaks the rules could face fines of up to 500,000 yuan ($62,500).

The 6,400km (4,000 miles) wall receives about 10 million visitors a year - most of whom visit the short 10km stretch open to tourists at Badaling.

'Indecent activities'

From 1 December, people will be forbidden from taking soil or bricks from the site, planting trees and carving anything on the wall "that is not designed to protect it", the government said on its website.

"The use of vehicles on the wall and the organisation of activities on sections not open to tourists," will also be banned, the statement added.

The rules will include the banning of parties and all-night raves which have become increasingly common along parts of the wall near Beijing, the BBC's Dan Griffiths in the Chinese capital reports.

Many parts of the wall are already in a poor state of repair, but the government has been reluctant to limit visitor numbers for fear it will affect local businesses, our correspondent adds.

The fines range from up to $6,250 for individuals and up to $62,500 for institutions, the government said.

The state encouraged "citizens and organisations to donate money to Great Wall protection funds", the statement added.