Xian City Wall

Tour Code : C1884

Type : Historic sites

City / Province : Xian

Built in : 1370

Highlights

The City wall of Xi’an known as The fortifications of Xi'an was once one of the most impressive military defense systems in the world. Nowadays Perhaps most interestingly, the top of the wall has become a city playground. Bike tours atop the wall have become popular with locals and tourists.

Introduction
Travel Map
Recommend Tour
FAQ

Xian City Wall

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. Whilethe wall, the south and west walls were constructed on the base of the wall of Tang DynastyThe 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 of Ming Dynasty, in 1644, the governor of Shaanxi, Sun Chuangting, built 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 Shun. Basically following the Ming system, Qing Government renovated the city wall for 12 times.

Xian City Wall was built onof 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 an 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. Each gate has 3 buildings: the gate, thewatchtower and the inner building. The inner building is-room wide, and 2-room deep, 36 m high, while thewatchtower is-room wide, 2-room deep, with a height of 33.4 m. Thewatchtower has 4 layers of windows, and each window has 12 holesXian City Wall International Marathon is held the first Sunday of November each year. It is a kind of special tourism products in recent years. The competition has attracted a total of more than 4,000 foreign athletes from over 50 countries to participate in the competition since 1993. Today, the tournament has been named the State Sports General Administration and the National Tourism Administration as a national sports tourism gold project, and has a certain amount of international influence.

Travel Map

Recommend Tour

2 Days Xian Highlights Tour

2days

On this tour, get to view Xian's signature sights on 2 days of private sightseeing covering national treasure "Big Wild Goose Pagoda", UNESCO World Heritage "Terracotta Warriors", history book of Xian "Shaanxi History Museum", the best-preserved "Xian City Wall", and a famous Islamic heritage "Xian Great Mosque". Your two days of sightseeing include a private guide, private transportation, entrance fees, pick -up and drop-off at your chosen Xian location, two Chinese lunches and a dumpling banquet.

View Tour

5 Days Xian Terracotta Warriors and Mount Hua Exploration Tour

5days

Xian is a world-famous ancient city since 2,000 years ago. It not only has wonderful historical highlights but also amazing natural wonders. On this tour, you will experience the UNESCO world heritage-Terracotta Warriors, and well-preserved Xian City Wall, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Shaanxi History Museum, Muslim Street. Challenge Mt. Huashan, one of the five most impressive and dangerous mountains in China.

View Tour

3 Days Xian in Depth Tour

3days

Xian is home to some of the most spectacular sights in China, on this tour discover the UNESCO-listed mausoleum of Emperor Shihuang with its thousands of life-sized terracotta warriors and their horses, take a stroll on the historic Muslim Street, visit the spectacular City Wall and also get to discover the national treasure "Big Wild Goose Pagoda", visit the comfortable "Huaqing Hot Springs, and the magnificent "Bell Tower and Drum Tower".

View Tour

1 Day Most Popular Xian Tour to Terra-cotta Warriors and Xian City Wall

1days

During this tour, you will see remnants from the Qin Dynasty at the Terracotta Army which is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of QinShiHuang, the first Emperor of China. The program also includes Xian City Wall is the world's largest and best-preserved ancient fortress dating from the Ming Dynasty for outstanding views of the city when strolling the walls.

View Tour

Unique Xian Tour to Terracotta Warriors and Huashan Mountain

2days

On this tour, experience both the historical relics in Xian and explore the wonderful scenery of Huashan mountain. Uncover the national treasure at the "Big Wild Goose Pagoda" and the UNESCO world heritage "Terracotta Warriors" then enjoy a full-day tour to Mount Huashan to see Buddhist and Taoist temples, walking through the mountain, admire the spectacular landscape of sheer cliffs with temples that cling on to the rock.

View Tour

11 Days Discovery China Tour to Beijing Xi'an Shanghai and Hongkong

11days

Explore the best of China on this sightseeing adventure tour. Amble among the world famous historical relics in Beijing, trace back the start point of silk road from Xi'an, enjoy the pleasure from both modern skyline and traditional look of Shanghai. At last, the tour ends from discovering and enjoying urban luxurious shopping in Hong Kong. 　　　

View Tour

Answers to questions

Submit