Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash
🏰 Xi'an · Attraction
Xi'an Ancient City Wall西安古城墙
The world's best-preserved ancient city wall — 14km of Ming dynasty fortifications
The world's best-preserved ancient city wall — 14km of Ming dynasty fortifications
Xi'an's city wall is the most complete ancient city wall in China and one of the best-preserved in the world. Built between 1370–1378 during the Ming dynasty, it stretches 13.7km around the old city, stands 12 meters high, and is 15–18 meters wide at the base — wide enough to drive four carriages side by side. Renting a bicycle at the South Gate and cycling the full circuit takes about 2 hours.
The cycling-on-the-city-wall scene is one of the most viral Xi'an travel moments — featured by Kara and Nate, Lost LeBlancs
Address: Circumferential (South Gate main entrance: 0 South Gate St)
The easiest way to reach Xi'an Ancient City Wall is by Didi (China's ride-hailing app, similar to Uber). Download the Didi app and link your international credit card before arriving in China. Show the driver the Chinese name: 西安古城墙.
Metro is also available for most attractions — check the city metro map and look for the nearest station. All metro signs in Xi'an are bilingual (Chinese and English).
Citizens of 54+ countries including the USA, UK, EU nations, Canada, and Australia can visit China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a visa. Xi'an Ancient City Wall is fully accessible during a visa-free transit stay.
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