Dating from 1370, when they were constructed of compacted earth, Xi'an's formidable defensive walls are the most impressive sight in the city itself. They are remarkable both for their size—they stand 12 meters high, are up to 18 meters thick,

(+) More

Dating from 1370, when they were constructed of compacted earth, Xi'an's formidable defensive walls are the most impressive sight in the city itself. They are remarkable both for their size—they stand 12 meters high, are up to 18 meters thick, and boast a rectangular perimeter of almost 14 kilometers—and the fact that they are still standing at all. What you see today took shape in the latter half of the 16th century, when the old mud walls were replaced with bricks. In terms of fortifications, the walls boast 98 evenly spaced ramparts, each with a sentry building. The outer side of the wall also has thousands of battlements. Bearing in mind their length, many family visitors choose to explore the walls from the electric shuttle. A more fun option for older children is to tour the walls on a rented bicycle.

(-) Close