Historic site · SHAANXI
Xi'an City Wall
西安城墙 · Xī'ān Chéngqiáng
About
14 km Ming-dynasty wall enclosing the historic core of Xi'an. Walk or cycle the entire loop on top of the wall — 90 minutes by bike.
The Xi'an City Wall is the most complete city wall surviving in China. The current 14 km loop was rebuilt in 1370 under the Ming founder, but follows the line of the Tang-era wall (when the city was Chang'an). The wall is 12m high and 12–18m wide on top, with four major gates — South (Yongningmen), North, East and West — each with a barbican system. Visitors walk or cycle the full loop on top of the wall; bike rental at the gates costs ¥45 for 100 minutes.
How to get there
South Gate (Yongningmen) is most central — Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen.
When to visit
Late afternoon. Cycling at sunset is the canonical Xi'an experience.
Other attractions in Xi'an
Itineraries featuring this site
- Xi'an in 3 days
3d · Terracotta Army, City Wall, Muslim Quarter, the Wild Goose Pagodas.
- Family Beijing and Xi'an — 7 days, relaxed pace
7d · Seven days in Beijing and Xi'an at a pace that works for children: fewer sites per day, breaks built in, and activities with hands-on appeal — the Panda Base of the north and hands-on history at the Terracotta Army.
- Beijing + Xi'an + Shanghai — 7-day first-timer circuit
7d · The canonical first-time China loop: two days in imperial Beijing, one day in Xi'an for the Terracotta Army, and two days in Shanghai. Linked by HSR throughout.
- One week China classics — Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
7d · The first-time-traveller's loop: imperial Beijing, the Terracotta Army at Xi'an, Shanghai's skyline. Connected by overnight train or short HSR.
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