Located in the center of Xi'an City, the Xi'an City Wall (西安城墻) measures 12 meters high, 18 meters wide at the base and 15 meters wide at the top. It is 13.7 kilometers long and the length of the east, west, south and north walls are, respectively, 2590 m, 2631.2 m, 3441.6 m and 3241 m. It has four gates; Changle Gate in the east, Anding Gate in the west, Yongning Gate in the south and Anyuan Gate in the north.

The Xi'an City Wall is the oldest and most well preserved structure of its kind in China.

The existing wall was built between 1374 and 1378, making it over 600 years old. It is the oldest and most well preserved city wall in all of China.

There are 5948 battlements on the outer side of the city wall, once used by archers to defend against enemies. Every 120 meters, there are ramparts that extend off the main wall. About every 40 or 60 meters, there are water channels made of green bricks used for drainage. The channels were very important for long term protection of the wall. The Xi'an City Wall is a complete and perfected defense system including a moat, suspension bridge, draw bridge and turrets.

In 1961, the State Council announced that the Xi'an City Wall was in the first batch of national important historical sites that should receive special protection.

Travel Tips:

Hours: East Gate, West Gate and North Gate: 8 am – 8 pm (May 1 – Oct 15)

8 am – 6 pm (Oct 16 – Apr 30);

Admission: 40 yuan

Tel: +86-29-87235701 (complaints);

+86-29-87272792 (if you need a tour guide, call this number)

Getting There:

By Bus: Take bus No. 6, 11, 12, 16, 23, 26, 29, 31, 35, 36, 40, 46, 203, 204, 208, 213, 215, 216, 302, 311, 321, 402, 405, 501, 502

Website: http://www.xacitywall.com/english.htm