Xi'an City Wall Tourism

The Xi'an City Wall, also known as the Fortifications of Xi'an, is one of the oldest and best-preserved city walls in China. Built during the Ming dynasty (1370-1378 AD) under the reign of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the wall was constructed for military defense purposes. The rectangular wall encloses an area of about 14 square kilometers, standing tall at 12 meters, and spans approximately 13.7 kilometers in length. The wall is wide enough at the top for six horses to run abreast, averaging 15-18 meters across. It features a deep moat, drawbridges, watchtowers, corner towers, parapets, and gates on each of its four sides, aligned with the cardinal points. The South Gate, also known as Yongning, is particularly renowned and serves as a symbol of Xi'an. Visitors to the site can enjoy a walk or rent bicycles to ride atop the wall, providing a unique perspective of the city. The wall is also a vantage point for observing many of Xi'an's historical landmarks and experiencing the city's blend of ancient and modern urban life.