Overview:

Ancient City Walls of Xi'an In China is the most complete city wall to survive in China, as well as being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. The wall, which stands 12 meters high and 18-12 meters wide, was initially constructed in the early 1400s during the Ming Dynasty. The walls stretch for 13.7 kilometers around the city of Xi’an, forming a rectangular shape with a total area of 36 square kilometers. With its gates, turrets and battlements, the wall stands as an impressive reminder of the mixture of strength and architecture that was a feature of many Chinese cities in the past. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in China
Prominent Features:

-One of the oldest and most impressive city walls in the world -Built in the 14th century during the Ming Dynasty -The city wall is 12 meters high and 12-14 meters thick -It is approximately 13.7 kilometers long, with a rampart at the top -There are 98 gate towers located along the walls -The city walls originally had 4 gates; the East and West Gates have been restored while the South and North Gates were destroyed -Features a circular wall at the city center, known as the "Wind and Rain Tower" -The walls are surrounded by a moat filled with water to protect the city -The original crenellated walls had watchtowers and gun posts to guard the city -Today, the Ancient City Walls of Xi'an are a popular tourist attraction and are particularly beautiful during the evening when illuminated. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in China.

History:

The ancient city walls of Xi’an, China, one of the country’s major archaeological sites, were first built during the 8th century BC, under the rule of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. He ordered the construction of the walls to protect the city and the royal palaces. This original wall system was composed of stamped earth walls, stone walls, and towers surrounded by a moat. These walls served as a major defense structure for Xi’an, protecting it from foreign invasions and other conflicts. When the Qin Dynasty fell in 206 BC, the walls were neglected and became increasingly damaged. In the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), Emperor Taizong ordered the wall to be rebuilt and extended. This new version included stone foundations, three levels of defensive walls, and a deep moat. It was widened and raised to 10 meters in bright white earth and 8 meters in brick and stone. Numerous, watchtowers and archery galleries were also added. After the fall of the Tang Dynasty in 907, the walls remained intact and were once again reused during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) Dynasties. During this period, the walls saw further repairs, extensions, and additions, including the famous east, south, west and north gates. Today, components of the ancient city walls still remain and can be visited. The Xi’an City Wall is now a popular tourist attraction among visitors to the region, offering historic sites and breathtaking views of the city. Visit one of the famous monuments of China with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The city walls of Xi'an were originally built and expanded during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and were constructed using wood, soil and stone over the course of 4 years. 2.The walls are over 12 meters (39 ft) tall and almost 13 kilometers long (8 miles). 3. There are four main gates into the city walls, which are located at the cardinal points on the compass. 4. Xi'an's city walls are the best preserved ancient city walls in all of China, in part due to their strategic location on the outskirts of the city. 5. The city walls were built in response to Mongol invasions of China during the late 13th century; therefore it served both a defensive and a strategic purpose in the succeeding centuries. 6. The city walls have survived modern developments and still remain an important landmark in the present-day city of Xi'an. 7. The Xi'an city walls have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. One of the historical monuments of China, it tells the story of a bygone era