Xi an City Wall: Medieval Fortress in Modern China

Xi an City Wall is the most complete ancient city wall in China. Built during the early Ming Dynasty and expanded over centuries, the wall now stretches 13.7 kilometers around the historic center of Xi an.

The Wall

The wall stands 12 meters tall and is 18 meters wide at the base. It has four main gates facing north, south, east, and west. Each gate has a barbican (瓮城), a semicircular defense structure that creates a trap for invaders.

History

The current wall was built starting in 1370 during the Ming Dynasty. It was built on the foundations of earlier Tang Dynasty walls. The wall has been repaired many times but retains much of its original structure.

Walking the Wall

The wall is best explored by bicycle, which can be rented at the gates. The full circuit takes about 2 hours. The south wall has the most scenic views over the city. The west wall overlooks the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.

Gates and Towers

The four gates have distinctive names: Yongning (south), Anding (north), Chuxiang (west), and Zhongyuan (east). Each gate has an inner tower and an outer gate. The wall parapets have 5,984 battlements.

Modern Xi an

The wall surrounds the historic center of modern Xi an. Beyond the wall, the city extends in all directions. The Muslim Quarter lies just inside the south gate. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda stands to the south.