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When Zhu Yuanzhang, the first Emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), captured Huizhou, a hermit named Zhu Sheng admonished him that he should 'built high walls, store abundant food supplies and take time to be an Emperor,' so that he could fortify the city and unify the other states. After the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang followed his advice and began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618 -907), creating the modern Xian City Wall. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

After the extension, the wall now stands 12 meters (40 feet) tall, 12-14 meters (40-46 feet) wide at the top and 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length with a deep moat surrounding it. Every 120 meters, there is a rampart which extends out from the main wall. All together, there are 98 ramparts on the wall, which were built to defend against the enemy climbing up the wall. Each rampart has a sentry building, in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the enemy. Besides, the distance between every two ramparts is just within the range of an arrow shot from either side, so that they could shoot the enemy, who wanted to attack the city, from the side. On the outer side of the city wall, there are 5948 crenellations, namely battlements. The soldiers can outlook and shoot at the enemy. On the inner side, parapets were built to protect the soldiers from falling off.

Since the ancient weapons did not have the power to break through a wall and the only way for an enemy to enter the city was by attacking the gate of the city wall. This is why complicated gate structures were built within the wall. In Xian, the city wall includes four gates and they are respectively named as Changle (meaning eternal joy) in the east, Anding (harmony peace) in the west, Yongning (eternal peace) in the south and Anyuan (forever harmony) in the north. The south gate, Yongning, is the most beautifully decorated one. It is very near to the Bell Tower, center of the city. Important greeting ceremonies organized by the Provincial Government are usually held in the south gate square. 

Our Group Tour to Xian City Wall

Sketching on Xian City Wall

Each city gate has three gate towers: Zhenglou, Jianlou and Zhalou. The most outside is Zhalou, which stands away from the City Wall and is opposite to Zhenglou. It was used to raise and lower the suspension bridge. Jianlou with small windows in the front and flanks was used as a defensive outpost. Zhenglou, in the inner, is the main entrance to the city. The wall connects Jianlou and Zhenglou Towers. The area between them within the wall was called 'Wong Cheng', in which the soldiers stationed. From Wong Cheng, there are sloped horse passages leading to the top of the city wall.

Initially, the wall was built with layers of dirt, with the base layer including also lime and glutinous rice extract. Throughout the time Xian City Wall has been restored three times. In 1568, Zhang Zhi (the government officer of that period) was in charge to rebuild the wall with bricks. In 1781, another officer, Bi Yuan, refitted the city wall and the gate towers. More recently (since 1983) the Shaanxi Provincial Government restored the city wall again. A circular park has been built along the high wall and the deep moat. The thriving trees and flowers decorate the classical Chinese architecture of the wall, adding additional beauty to the city of Xian.

Xian City Wall

The Senior Taking Exercise near the Wall

 Travel Tips for Ascending the City Wall:
Encircling the rectangled city center of Xian, the City Wall has totally 18 city gates, but they are not all open for tourists to ascend the wall. Visitors can ascend the City Wall from the South Gate, Small South Gate, East Gate, West Gate, North Gate, Heping Gate, Wenchang Gate (close to Forest of Stone Steles Museum) and Hanguang Gate (inside Tang Hanguang Entrance Remains Museum). You can choose the nearest city gate according to your location. No matter which gate you choose, you can tour the whole circle of the wall if you like.

The South Gate (Yongning Gate) is the most time-honored and magnificent one among all the city gates. There is bicycles for rental up to the South Gate. So it is popular for tourists to ascend here. If you stay near the Bell Tower, it is recommended that you take a 10 minutes' walk along the South Street to get to the South Gate.

 Transportation:         Xian Bus Search
1. Public bus routes to get to four major gates of the City Wall:

Cycling on the City Wall

To the South Gate: Take bus no.6, 11, 12, 23, 46, 215, 239, 302, 600, 603, 608, 713, 910, K600, K618, or Wulong Special Line…and arrive at South Gate Station.

To the East Gate: Take bus no.8, 22, 27, 29, 33, 37, 43, 45, 102, 203, 218, 232, 235, 252, 300, 527, 602, 604, 714, or 903…and arrive at East Gate Station.

To the North Gate: Take bus no.6, 26, 28, 33, 37, 39, 104, 107, 117, 205, 206, 208, 214, 216, 229, 236, 238, 310, 336, 506 or 511…and arrive at North Gate Station.

To the West Gate: Take bus no.4, 10, 15, 23, 31, 201, 205, 206, 215, 221, 222, 223, 300, 302, 407, 504, 611, 701 or K630…and arrive at West Gate Station.

2. Cycling on the City Wall:
Try biking on the City Wall, you will have an enjoyable and interesting experience. The bicycle deposit is CNY 200. The single bicycle costs CNY 20/100 minutes. The tandem bicycle costs CNY 40/100 minutes.

3. Sightseeing battery car on the City Wall:
The sightseeing battery car costs CNY 50 for a circle tour on the city wall. Visitors can also tour the wall by sections which costs CNY 5 between two stops.

4. Bus Tours (South Line): The double-decker tour bus runs from the Suspension Bridge Square (hourly from 09:00 to 18:00, last bus at 19:30). It provides a panorama view of the city, covering many famous attractions including the City Wall. 
Route: South Gate - West Park Around the City Wall - West Gate - West Street - Bell Tower - East Gate - Stone Steles Museum - Shuyuan Gate - Big Wild Goose Pagoda - Shaanxi History Museum - Little Wild Goose Pagoda - South Gate
Time Duration: 1.5 hours
Service: drinking water/juice, tour guide
Ticket: CNY 68 (hop-on and hop-off; the ticket is valid in 24 hours from your first boarding)
           CNY 98 (inclding City Wall admission ticket)
Packages:
CNY 198 (City Wall + BusBus Tours + Tang Dynasty Music& Dance Show + Yang Rou Pao Mo dinner)
CNY298 (City Wall + BusBus Tours + Tang Dynasty Music & Dance Show + Dumpling Banquet)

Admission Fee:	CNY 40
Opening Hours:	South Gate: 08:00-22:00 (April 1-October 31); 08:00-19:00 (November 1-March 31) East/North/West Gate, Wenchang Gate,  Heping Gate: 08:00-19:00 (May 1-October 31); 08:00-18:00 (Novermber 1-April 30) Shangde Gate, Little South Gate, Hanguang Gate: 08:00-18:00 (January 1-December 31)
Performances:	The Greeting and Entering Ceremony at the South Gate (Suspension Bridge Square): 09:30 The warrior formation performance at the enceinte of the South Gate: 10:30, 16:30
Recommended Time for a Visit:	3.5 hours to circle the city wall

Suggested Tour Itinerary including the Visit to Xian City Wall:  Xian City Wall Tour: practical tips to make your city wall tour easier   Xian Heritage Tour: 2 Days Tour of Xian including City Wall  Historical Xian Tour: 3 Days Luxury Visit of Xian to the Terracotta Warriors, Big Wild Goose Pagoda, City Wall...  China Golden Triangle Trip: 9 Days China Tour of Beijing - Xian - Shanghai  More Xian Tours

 2012 Xian City Wall Lantern Fair
Time: January 16 – February 21, 2012
Location: South Gate to Heping Gate section
Content: There are eight main districts to display the dragon element and the historical and cultural features of Xian by hi-tech facilities mixed with sound, light, electricity, as well as miniatures of some famous attractions in China and the world. It is the top choice for citizens and tourists to see the city during the Chinese New Year.

Multi-colored lanterns with a shape of dragons	Exotic lanterns with a shape of the Pyramids
More Xian City Wall Lantern Fair Photos

Xian City Wall International Marathon
It is one of the most important annual games in the city and also an international sporting platform. At the same time, many people at the home and abroad would know much more about this ancient city by participating in this athletic contest. By now, Xian City Wall International Marathon has become a special name card in expanding international exchange and operation for the city.

2011 Xian City Wall International Marathon
Time: 08:30, Nov.5 (Saturday), 2011
Starting Point: South Gate of the City Wall

More Xian City Wall Intl. Marathon Photos

Routes 
1. Five Kilometers: Starting from 200 meters to the east of the gate tower of South Gate, via Wenchang Gate – Heping Gate – Jianguo Gate – East Gate, return along the same route from 150 meters to the south of East Gate to the starting point
2. 13.7 Kilometers: Starting from 200 meters to the east of the gate tower of South Gate, via Wenchang Gate – Heping Gate – Jianguo Gate – East Gate – Chaoyang Gate – North Gate – Yuxiang Gate – West Gate – Hanguang Gate, and reach the west of the gate tower of South Gate, the finish line
3. Half Marathon: Starting from 200 meters to the east of the gate tower of South Gate, via Wenchang Gate – Heping Gate – Jianguo Gate – East Gate – Chaoyang Gate – North Gate – Yuxiang Gate, return along the same route from 400 meters to the south of Yuxiang Gate to the east of the gate tower of South Gate, the finish line.

 Related Links: Pingyao City Wall     Nanjing City Wall