BEIJING, Sept. 1 -- China Culture Relics Protection Foundation established a special fund on Monday in a bid to better finance the protection of the Great Wall.

The fund raised about 18.2 million yuan (2.9 million U.S. dollars) from donations on Monday. A committee was set up to manage the money.

The Great Wall, with a total length of 21,196 kilometers, is one of China's most iconic landmarks.

The aging world heritage site is confronted with pressing challenges including a lack of protection staff and most notably a shortage of renovation money in some undeveloped regions.