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2 South St., Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province,, China
Landmark of Xi'an; The most complete existing ancient city wall in China
The first landmark visitors will encounter in Xian is the ancient City Wall, which stretches round the old city. It is also one of the most famous attractions in Xian. Today, this wall represents one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.
The first city wall of Changan was begun in 194 BC. The existing wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1370. While built the wall, the south and west walls were constructed on the base of the wall of Tang Dynasty.
The whole construction lasted 8 years from 1370 to 1378. Later in 1568, in the top and outside of the wall were covered with black bricks. During the later of Ming Dynasty, in 1644, the governor of Shaanxi, Sun Chuangting, built barbicans at the four gates for guarding against the attack of Li Zhicheng. In 1643, Li Zhicheng Conquered Xian, proclaimed himself emperor, and titled his reigning dynasty as Da Shun. Basically following the Ming system, Qing Government renovated the city wall for 12 times.
Xian City Wall was built on base of the Palace of Tang Dynasty. The existing wall was started during the Ming Dynasty in 1370; it is massive, measuring 13.7 km in circumference, 12 m in height, and 15–18 m in thickness at the base.
There is a enemy tower every 120 meters standing out of the wall, as high as the city wall, which is used for shooting enemies. There are 98 enemy towers around the city wall. Out of the wall, there is a city moat, which is 20 m wide and 10 m deep, forming a complete defense system with the city wall.
Xian Ancient City has four gates at south, north, east and west, the four directions: Changle Gate, Anding Gate, Yongning Gate and Anyuan Gate. Outside each gate, there is a barbican. Each gate has 3 buildings: the gate, the embrasured watchtower and the inner building. The inner building is 7-room wide, and 2-room deep, 36 m high, while the embrasured watchtower is 11-room wide, 2-room deep, with a height of 33.4 m. The embrasured watchtower has 4 layers of windows, and each window has 12 holes.
The wall originally had four main gates: Changle Gate (East Gate), Yongning Gate (South Gate), Anding Gate (West Gate), and Anyuan Gate (North Gate). These gates were part of the original design of the ancient wall, offering visitors a chance to view the entire Chang'an city (modern-day Xi'an). Over time, as the city expanded, additional gates were built, and today, Xi'an City Wall has 18 gates.
To start your visit, it is recommended to enter through the South Gate (Yongning Gate 永宁门), which is the most well-preserved and frequently visited entrance. It offers the longest visiting hours and provides stunning views of the wall and surrounding areas. The South Gate can be accessed directly through an underground passage at the Yongning Gate station on Metro Line 2, with the nearby Beilin Museum offering additional cultural enrichment.
The wall stretches approximately 13.7 kilometers in length, so visitors should plan their tour according to their time and physical condition. While walking is an option, you can also choose to take an electric cart or rent a bicycle to circle the wall, which offers excellent opportunities to appreciate the surrounding scenery.
Opening Hours of the Gates:
Note: Some gates, such as the North Entrance of Yongning Gate, Changle Gate, Anyuan Gate, Anding Gate, and Zhongshan Gate, have night-duty staff available. After the park closes, visitors can exit from these gates if needed.
How long should I spend at the wall?
If you're just casually exploring the wall, about one hour will be sufficient. However, if you plan to rent a bike or electric cart to go around the entire wall, you should set aside more time—about 1.5 to 2 hours is ideal.
How can I rent a bike?
Bicycle rental stations are available at each of the four main gates. The bikes come in single and double sizes, with prices starting at 45 RMB for a single bike (3 hours) and 90 RMB for a double bike (3 hours). Cycling around the wall takes approximately 1.5 hours. You can rent bikes at the following locations: East of the South Gate, West of the South Gate, West Gate, North Gate, East Gate, and Hanguang Gate.
Where can I buy souvenirs?
There are several small shops selling cultural products and souvenirs along the wall. For example, near the bicycle rental point on the East side of the South Gate, you’ll find cute figurines such as terracotta warrior dolls and traditional Chinese lady figurines, perfect for souvenirs.
What are the best photo opportunities?
For a great photograph, head to the main gate and look down the main street leading toward the Bell Tower. From this angle, you can capture the entire Chang'an street and the cityscape of Xi'an in one shot.
After your visit to the Xi'an City Wall, be sure to explore the nearby food options. Xi'an is famous for its delicious street food, including Roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), Yangrou Paomo (lamb soup with bread), and Liangpi (cold noodles).
For additional food options, head to Huimin Street in the Muslim Quarter, which is filled with food stalls offering local snacks. You can also visit the Jian Guo Men area for a more traditional market experience or the Nanshao Men area for a taste of Xi'an’s food culture. Additionally, if you're interested in a more relaxed dining atmosphere, the Liuyuan Bar Street near the Yongning Gate is perfect for grabbing a drink after your tour.
1. Metro Line 2
The most convenient route is taking Metro Line 2 and alighting at Yongningmen Station (永宁门站). This station provides direct access to the South Gate (永宁门), a primary entrance to the wall.
2. Other Nearby Metro Stations
For alternative access points like Hanguangmen (含光门) or Changlemen (长乐门), consider stations along Metro Line 2 or connecting bus routes.
3. Bus Services
Take bus routes such as No. 5 (direct to South Gate), No. 12 (connecting Bell Tower to South Gate), No. 16 (passing Hanguangmen's western entrance), No. 26 (from the Muslim Quarter to East Gate Changlemen), or No. 31 (stopping at West Gate Andingmen), all covering major wall entrances and central city landmarks.
4. Walking from Central Landmarks
If exploring central areas like the Bell Tower or Drum Square, a 10–15-minute walk southward leads directly to the South Gate entrance.
5. Taxi/Ride-Hailing
Directly request a ride to Yongningmen (South Gate) or other gates like Andingmen (安定门, West Gate) for faster access.
The best time to visit Xian City Wall is in spring and autumn from March to June and September to October. July and August are too hot for visiting. If in summer, you’d better choose to visit the city wall in morning or after sunset. The late afternoon, around 16:00 to 17:00, is a perfect time to visit the wall. Not only is the weather more pleasant, especially during the summer, but the light during this time is ideal for photography. Visitors can enjoy the wall's beauty in daylight and stay to appreciate the night views as well. For a complete experience, it's recommended to visit in the late afternoon and stay into the evening.
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