Xian City Wall

The Xian City Wall is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient city walls in China, originally built during the Ming Dynasty in the 14th century under Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. This massive fortification stretches 13.7 kilometers around the historic center of Xian, standing 12 meters high and 12-14 meters wide at the top. The wall features 98 ramparts, four main gates facing the cardinal directions, and a deep moat that once provided additional defense. What makes this wall particularly remarkable is that it follows the exact footprint of the original Tang Dynasty imperial city, connecting modern Xian with its glorious past as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and capital of 13 dynasties. Visitors can walk, cycle, or take an electric cart along the broad top of the wall, enjoying panoramic views of both ancient architecture and modern cityscapes. The wall's construction represents advanced military engineering of its time, with watchtowers, battlements, and arrow slits designed for defense against invaders. Today, it serves as a living monument to Chinese architectural ingenuity and a peaceful green belt in the heart of one of China's most historically significant cities.