Written by Natalia |
As a seasoned guide with years of experience guiding visitors in Xi’an, I have always believed that one of the best ways to truly understand the city’s thousand-year history is to make a visit to the Ming Xi’an City Wall.
This old city wall, built in 1370, is centered around the Tang Imperial City Ruins. It is widely regarded as the best-protected, also the most extensive ancient city wall in China today, with a height of 12 meters (39.4 feet), a top width of 12-14 meters (13-15.3 yards).
As I see it, it is more than a historical site, but the core, the soul, and a timeless symbol of Xi’an.
Facts about the Xi’an’s City Wall:
- Opening time: 8:00 – 22:00
- Length:74 km
- Height: 12 m
- Entrance fee: 54 RMB ( approximately 8 USD)
- Reservation: not required
- Visiting time: 1-1.5 hours
- Location: surrounds Xi’an city center
Content Preview
- Which is the Best Entry Gate?
- Choose Wisely among the Gates & the Best Ways to Explore the City Wall
- Insider Ways to Explore the City Wall
- Best Visiting Time
- How to Get to the Xi’an City Wall
- Is a wheelchair allowed on the City Wall?
- Recommended Nearby Attractions
- The Origin of the City Wall
- Explore the Best of Xi’an with China Xian Tour
Which is the Best Entry Gate?
The South Gate is always a solid option if you are not sure which gate to choose when booking your ticket in advance. Here comes the reasons:
- It is the oldest and longest-serving city gate. The South Gate is originally built in the second year of the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty (582 AD).
- It has been traditionally used to welcome dignitaries and state guests. Historically, it has received international VIPs such as former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Miss World contestants, earning the title of “The First Gate Under Heaven.”
- South Gate offers the longest opening hours of all city wall entrances, typically remaining open until 22:00. In comparison, other main entrances such as East Gate, North Gate and West Gate close around 18:00 or 19:00.
- It is the most convenient gate to reach. Multiple metro and bus lines provide direct access to the South Gate. Also, it is adjacent to major attractions such as the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter, making it easy to combine with other sightseeing spots.
- The South Gate is where visitors can gain the most comprehensive overview of the City’s defensive architecture. After entering from the southern entrance of the South Gate, visitors can explore the moat, drawbridge, gate tower, barbican, arrow tower, and other well-preserved defensive structures along the way.
- Most major performances and cultural events are held at the South Gate, including light shows and traditional cultural performances.
Choose Wisely among the Gates & the Best Ways to Explore the City Wall
1. Cycling: Best to Enter from West, North & East Gate
The Xi’an City Wall is 13.74 kilometers long. Walking the entire circuit takes around 3–4 hours, while cycling only takes about 1.5–2.5 hours. By cycling, visitors can explore the entire wall without getting too tired.
The top of the wall is 12-14 meters wide, making it suitable for both single and tandem bicycles.
Rental stations are located at Yongning Gate (South Gate), Hanguang Gate, and Anding Gate. They provide wide-tire bikes specially designed for the City Wall with QR-code rental and return services.
Practical information for City Wall cycling
Rental price |
Single bike: 45 RMB (approximately 6 USD) per bike |
Deposit |
100 RMB (about 15 USD) per bike |
Return location |
Bikes can be returned at any rental station. There’s no need to ride back to the original point |
Deposit refund |
After the ride, present the rental receipt to get the deposit back. Please keep the receipt |
Business time |
8:00-22:00 ( returning is only allowed at South Gate after 20:00) |
Entry gate |
West Gate, North Gate, East Gate (less visitors&quiet environment) |
2. Walking – Enter from the South Gate
If you are not into cycling, visiting the City Wall by walking is also a perfect fit. For seniors and families with children, entering from the South Gate (Yongning Gate) is highly recommended, as the path around this section is relatively flat and easy to walk.
Walking westward from the South Gate, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the ancient city walls and moats, while experiencing the authentic local life in a comforting and relieving pace.
Hanguang Gate Museum is one of the highlights of this route, offering a collective space for visitors to take a deeper glimpse into Xi’an’s rich history and culture.
If you choose to visit the City Wall in the morning, you’ll see a lively morning market near the South Gate (06:00-09:00). We suggest that you try some delicious local breakfast snacks before starting a refreshing day.
Insider Ways to Explore the City Wall
1. Experience Hanfu Photography
The Xi’an City Wall provides a stunning backdrop for Hanfu photography. The grandeur and solemness of the ancient buildings pairs beautifully with the flowing elegant robes of Hanfu. If you are interested in Hanfu, Hanfu photography on the City Wall is undoubtedly worth trying.
The areas around East and West Gates feature many well-preserved examples of ancient architecture, offering an especially authentic traditional atmosphere. Nearby, you can easily find a wide range of professional Hanfu makeup and styling studios, making it easy to enjoy a one-stop makeover experience.
Even if it is your first time to experience a Chinese-inspired photo shoot, you can easily capture stunning photos while immersing yourself in the timeless charm of ancient Chang’an.
2. Enjoy the Stunning Nightscape
The night view of Xi’an City Wall is highly atmospheric. When night falls, the amber lighting illuminates the entire wall – revealing its grand and timeworn outline. With the moat reflecting the glittering lights, the scene is especially magical.
The best visiting time of the walls is from 19:00 to 21:00. By that time, the nightscape near South Gate is the most dazzling and spectacular among all – the noise of the day fades away, leaving only silence and romance. It is a perfect time for an evening stroll and capturing a memorable moment.
3. Witness the Snow-covered Beauty
As a genuine local, my favorite view is always the city walls after snowfall. In winter, fresh snow blankets ancient grey bricks and flying eaves, covering the entire city wall in a layer of silver-white snow. It precisely evokes the grandeur of flourishing Chang’an, making it an exclusive seasonal highlight.
4. Enjoy the Spring Festival Lantern Show (Exclusive to January–February)
During Lantern Festival, City Wall is fully decorated with themed lantern displays that change each year. The view at its most impressive after sunset.
Here are some tips for experiencing the festival atmosphere to the max:
- Enter the city wall from South Gate during the Spring Festival, where the lantern lights reflect stunningly on the moat. The site also offers traditional-style parades, folk performances and festival-themed markets to vibe with both traditional culture and New Year celebrations.
- Arrive at around 17:00, then you can experience vibrant festival atmosphere together with the locals.
5. Relax in City Wall Park Beneath the Wall
Most tourists focus most of their attention on visiting the city walls, often ignoring a hidden gem – City Wall Park. It is also my top recommendation for a perfect free photo spot along the way. The park running alongside the base of the City Wall, with lush vegetation and well-maintained walking paths, forming the unique green corridor of Xi’an’s old city.
In comparison to the strong historical atmosphere on the city walls, this area is filled with authentic local lifestyle and relaxed atmosphere.
In early mornings, you would see locals practicing Tai Chi, jogging or doing various forms of exercising. It is also a busy time at dusk, when locals are gathering again for square dancing, strolling or just simply relaxing in a lively atmosphere. Passing by here while wandering along the city wall base would be such a perfect timing to immerse yourself in the slow and relaxed life in Xi’an.
Best Visiting Time
Spring & autumn (March–June/September–November): the best period to visit throughout the year, with ideal temperature around 25℃(77°F)
Summer(July-August) is the hottest period in Xi’an, with strong sunlight, so it is recommended to avoid visiting during this time. However, if you already planned to visit the Xi’an City Wall during this period, 8:00–10:30 is recommended to avoid strong sunlight.
For winter, 14:00–17:00 is a relatively better time to visit with a higher temperature.
See also best times to visit Xi’an
How to Get to the Xi’an City Wall
If you plan to visit the South Gate first, Metro Line 2 (Yongning Gate Station) takes you directly to Yongning Gate Station.
For families, especially those carrying heavy/multiple luggage, taking a taxi directly to the East Gate and West Gate is more convenient.
If you also plan to visit the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter, starting the trip from the South Gate is highly recommended. Both attractions are within about a 10-minute walk from the South Gate.
Is a wheelchair allowed on the City Wall?
That would be a solid yes. Hanguang Gate is equipped with a special wheelchair-accessible elevator for visitors with mobility issues. However, the other four main gates currently don’t have elevator access. If ascend the wall from other gates, you’ll need to walk by stairs.
Recommended Nearby Attractions
Don’t rush to leave after visiting the city wall – four major attractions are within walking distance of different sections of the wall.
Stele Forest Museum
Within a 15-minute walk from Wenchang Gate, the Stele Forest Museum is close to the southeastern corner of the city wall. It is one of China’s most renowned museums of calligraphy art.
The museum houses a vast collection of thousand-year-old stone inscriptions and carvings. Also, you can find authentic works by famous calligraphers from different dynasties.
For anyone interested in history, calligraphy, or traditional Chinese culture, this site is a must-visit. Expect to experience the beauty of Chinese calligraphy up close here.
Yongxingfang (beneath the East Gate)
Yongxingfang was built from the original ancient neighborhoods and it is a gathering place for authentic local cuisine. Ready to entertain your stomach with various local specialties such as roujiamo, liangpi, and biangbiang noodles. It offers clean environment with good deal of food. As an ideal one-stop destination, Yongxingfang is for visitors to engage in Xi’an’s food culture and lively local atmosphere.
Shuyuanmen Cultural Street (beneath South Gate)
It is a cultural and artistic old street located beneath the South Gate of the City Wall. The ancient alleys are filled shops selling the “Four Treasures of the Study,” calligraphy and painting artworks and cultural creative products in traditional vibes. The neighborhood is quiet, elegant, and rich in artistic atmosphere.
Laocaichang Shijing Culture Creativity Block
This area preserves traditional local markets, where you can see locals going grocery shopping and chatting with each other in the early morning.
Find an open-air café and sit by the window, where the ancient city wall comes into view. Enjoy your moment immersed in rich local life and the thousand-year-old City Wall.
The Origin of the City Wall
The city wall was first built in the early Ming Dynasty. At that time, a strategist proposed the governing strategy of “build high walls, store abundant grain, and delay claiming kingship” to the emperor. The construction of the city wall officially began from then on.
During the same period, the thousand-year-old capital was renamed from “Chang’an” to “Xi’an,” meaning “lasting peace in the west.” The name has been used for more than 600 years to this day.
Thousand-Year Military Wisdom
Xi’an City Wall was equipped with a sophisticated and scientific ancient military defense system. It fully demonstrates the construction wisdom of ancient people. The moat surrounding the wall was served as the first line to defense, effectively preventing enemies from approaching.
Every 120 meters along the wall, there are protruding platforms and watchtowers for soldiers to observe and defend against attacks from all directions with no blind spots in defense. The battlements and arrow slits on the top of the wall functioned both as observation points and defensive structures during battles.
The main gates of the city were designed with multiple defense layers and combined with drawbridges to strengthen a complex defensive system capable of slowing down attackers layer by layer. It is regarded as a classic example of ancient Chinese city-wall engineering and military defense wisdom.
Explore the Best of Xi’an with China Xian Tour
As one of the most popular travel destinations in China, Xi’an’s grand charm lies not only in its rich historical heritages, but also in its diverse cultural experiences and tasty food. And you want to explore the most of the city, traveling with China Xian Tour would be your best choice. With over 10 years of experience, we know how to customize an itinerary that best suits your preference. With us, you don’t need to worry about any detail along the way. While our guide can take care of everything on this trip, you’ll just need to enjoy your best time in this incredible city.
