Initially built in the old Tang Dynasty (618 -907) and largely expanded in the Ming Dynasty (1374-1378), Xian City Wall, standing in the central district of the city for more than 600 years, is acclaimed as one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world and the most complete extant ancient wall of such kind in China. With harmonious combination of wall, deep moat, round-the-city parks and streets, the new City Wall scenic area is an absolute must-see.

Travelers on Xian City Wall

Riding bicycles on Xian City Wall

A set of precise measured data on the current oblong wall is as follows: 12 meters high, 18 meters thick at the bottom and 15 meters on the top; length of the east, west, south and north walls are 2,590 meters, 2,631 meters, 3,441.6 meters and 3,241 meters respectively; perimeter of the wall totals to 11.9 kilometers.

Each side of the City Wall is pierced by a city gate and each city gate is composed of three gate towers: Zhenglou, Jianlou and Zhalou. The whole circle of the City Wall has 19 entries and some of them are smaller gates for visitors to ascend the wall, among which the South Gate not far from the Bell Tower is the most popular one. You can choose the nearest site to get on the wall by paying admission fee of CNY40.00. It is worthwhile to know that there are performances available at the South Gate. Usually the Greeting and Entering Ceremony at the Suspension Bridge Square is scheduled 09:30 am. The warrior formation performance at the enceinte of the South Gate is held at 10:30 am or 16:30 pm. However, they may be cancelled subject to the weather.

Xian City Wall

Riding a tandem bicycle on the City Wall

Apart from walking around the City Wall, you can also try the following ways to make your City Wall tour easier.

1. Electric Sightseeing Car: 
It takes about 50 minutes and costs CNY65.00 per person to take the electric sightseeing car around the City Wall. There is also sightseeing car with 17 stops and each stop is charged CNY5.00 per person.

2. Tricycle:
A tricycle usually could hold 2 tourists. It is quite flexible for you can ask the driver stop at any time to take photos or admire the cultural richness and city views. As to the price, you can negotiate it on the spot.

3. Bicycle:
Riding a bicycle on the City Wall is quite an interesting experience if you are energetic. Usually about 90 minutes are enough for making a circuit of the wall by bicycle. The bicycle deposit is CNY200.00. For a single bicycle, the rent is CNY20.00 per 100 minutes, and it is CNY40.00 for a tandem bicycle per 100 minutes. The extra rental charge for each additional 30 minutes is CNY5.00 per single bicycle and CNY10.00 per tandem bicycle.

A couple riding bicycles on the City Wall

Cycling around the City Wall

Standing on the South Gate of the City Wall, you will have a great view of the surrounding area. The stately Bell Tower at a short distance, the antique cultural street - Shuyuan Gate and the time-honored Forest of Stone Steles Museum on the north help you further comprehend the amazing historical heritage of the ancient city, Xian. In contrast, you will feel dazzled by the high buildings, large mansions and the flourishing shopping malls on the south.

Afterwards, if you visit the City Wall in a clockwise direction and make a whole circle, you will pass through the followings: Zhuque Gate, Wumu Gate (the smaller south gate) and Hanguang Gate of the south wall; Anding Gate (the West Gate) and Yuxiang Gate of the west wall; Shangwu Gate (the smaller north gate), Anyuan Gate (the North Gate), Shangde Gate, Jiefang Gate and Shangqin Gate of the north wall; Chaoyang Gate, Zhongshan Gate (the smaller east gate) and Changle Gate (the East Gate) of the east wall; Jianguo Gate, Heping Gate and Wenchang gate of the south wall. Besides, you may visit Hanguang Gate Site Museum and Xian Museum of Chinese Calligraphic Art if you are interested in them. En route, the sights that struck your eyes are quite different from one and another, and you could learn more vicissitudes of Xian's history after viewing them.

Bicycles and Electric Sightseeing Cars

Renting a bike on the City Wall

Lastly, we have some advice which may help and add happy elements to your Xian City Wall tour. The space on the City Wall is quite open and there is no place against sunshine, so you are suggested to wear a sunhat or slap on some sunscreen if the day is clear. Sometimes, the wind is strong on the city wall in spring, autumn and winter, you may put windproof clothes. Or in the rainy days, please do remember to take the umbrella.