Fortifications of Xi'an

The Fortifications of Xi'an, also known as the Xi'an City Wall, are one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved Chinese city walls. Built in the 14th century under the Ming dynasty, the rectangular wall encloses about 14 square kilometers and stretches 14 kilometers. You can walk along the top, which offers views of the city and the wall's features like watchtowers, parapets, and a moat.

Don't miss

• Walk the 14-kilometer top of the wall, which takes about four hours to cover.
• See the four watchtowers at the corners, including the restored southern embrasured watchtower.
• Observe the 5,984 crenels along the outer parapets.
• Visit the Archery Tower, a trap-like chamber designed to trap enemies who breached the main gate.
• View the moat, which is 18 meters wide and 6 meters deep.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Fortifications of Xi'an

Cheapest way inTerracotta Army, Big Wild Goose Pagoda&City Wall Full Day Tour4.8★ · 56 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$20 per personSee dates →Best full dayMini Group Xian Day Tour to Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda and Muslim Bazaar4.9★ · 1,542 travelers9-10 hoursFree cancellationFrom$24 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleXi’an Private Day Tour:Terracotta Army, City Wall, Pagoda&Pottery5★ · 31 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$25 per personSee dates →

Know before you go

• The walkway along the top of the wall is about 14 kilometers long and typically takes four hours to cover.
• The wall is a National Historical and Cultural Unit, designated in 1961.

A bit of history

The wall was built starting in 1370 by the first Ming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, on the advice of a sage to fortify the city. It incorporated earlier Sui and Tang dynasty embankments. Initially made of tamped earth, it was faced with blue bricks in 1568 and enlarged in 1781. During the Second World War, residents built bunkers within the wall's thick base as air-raid shelters. The wall was restored in 1983 and is on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list.