Xi’An is one of the few cities in China where the old city walls still are visible, and in recent years they have even been restored. With a circumference of 14 km, they form a huge rectangle in the heart of the city. Each side of the wall has gateways, marked by three towers on top of the wall. At each of the four corners is a watchtower, and all along the top of the wall there are defensive towers. The wall is 12m high, 12-14m wide at the top, and 15-18m wid at the base.

Riding the Wall

In recent years, great efforts have been made to restore the wall to its former glory, and now it is accessible for visitors during the day time. The best way to explore the city wall is by renting bikes and riding all around this ancient structure. You get to enjoy a great view of the center of Xi’An and there is lots to discover along the way. There are several places on the wall that offer bikes for rent, though the time frame they give is just enough to complete the round without allowing much time to get off the bikes and explore the surroundings. Still, it’s a great way to get another perspective of the city.