Hello, I’m Mike Wang, a China travel expert with over 20 years of experience. During these two decades, I’ve traveled extensively around the world.This guide takes you through Xi’an City Wall, a well-preserved ancient defense structure in China. I’ll share its over 600-year history, views of nearby streets, and travel tips to help you plan a great visit.
Introduction
Xi’an City Wall, one of the best-preserved ancient city walls in China, stands in the core area of Xi’an, Shaanxi Province—surrounding the city’s old town. It has a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (1370-1378 AD), built to defend the ancient capital of China. With a total length of about 13.7 kilometers, the wall is 12 meters high and 15-18 meters wide at the top—wide enough for 8 horses to walk side by side. It has 4 main gates (East, West, South, North Gates) and 98 watchtowers, keeping the original defensive layout from the Ming Dynasty. For over 600 years, it has witnessed Xi’an’s changes and remained a symbol of the city’s ancient glory.
Tickets & Opening Hours
Opening Hours:
8:00 – 22:00 (April – October); 8:00 – 19:00 (November – March). Last entry is 1 hour before closing.
Ticket Prices:
54 RMB (about $7.5 USD) for adults; free for kids under 1.2 meters; half-price (27 RMB / $3.7 USD) for kids 1.2 – 1.4 meters and seniors over 65 with ID.
Purchase & Payment:
Buy tickets at any of the 4 main gate ticket offices (East, West, South, North Gates). Accepted payment methods: cash, Alipay, WeChat Pay, Visa, Mastercard. You can also book online via Ctrip or Fliggy (English versions available) 1 – 3 days in advance to skip queues, especially in peak seasons (May, October).
Main Scenic Areas & Attractions
East Gate (Changle Gate)
Built in 1370 AD during the Ming Dynasty. It was once a key defensive gate—soldiers guarded here to prevent enemy attacks. Today, it’s a popular entry point with a small museum showing old weapons used in the Ming Dynasty.
West Gate (Anding Gate)
Has a well-preserved moat around it. The moat was part of the defensive system—enemies couldn’t cross it easily. There are stone steps here for visitors to climb up the wall, and you can see old brick carvings on the gate tower.
South Gate (Yongning Gate)
The most famous gate, often used for important events (like traditional Chinese festivals). It has a large gate tower with wooden structures from the Ming Dynasty. History says emperors once passed through this gate when they went out of the city.
North Gate (Anyuan Gate)
Near the railway station, so many visitors enter here. It has a watchtower that was used to spot enemies far away. The watchtower still has old observation holes—soldiers used them to look out without being seen.
98 Watchtowers
Spread along the 13.7-kilometer wall. Each watchtower is about 15 meters high. In the Ming Dynasty, soldiers stayed in these towers to keep watch day and night. Now, some towers have small exhibitions of ancient city wall photos.
Transportation
Here’s how to get there from Xi’an downtown:
- 🚇Subway: Take Subway Line 2 to Yongning Gate Station (for South Gate) or Andingmen Station (for West Gate). Subway tickets cost 2 – 5 RMB ($0.3 – $0.7 USD), buy at vending machines with English instructions.
- 🚌Bus: Take Bus No. 6, 11, 16, or 23 to South Gate Stop; Bus No. 1, 12, or 28 to East Gate Stop. Bus fare is 2 RMB ($0.3 USD), pay with cash or local transport card.
- 🚕Taxi/Ride-hailing: A taxi from Xi’an Railway Station to South Gate costs about 15 – 20 RMB ($2.1 – $2.8 USD, 15 minutes). Use Didi (English version) to book easily.
Experience & Activities
Cycling on the Wall:
Rent a bicycle at any main gate. Cost: 45 RMB ($6.2 USD) for 1 hour, 90 RMB ($12.5 USD) for 3 hours. No need to book—just rent on-site. Bicycles are available for 1 or 2 people.
Traditional Gate Opening Ceremony:
Held at South Gate every morning at 8:30 (April – October) and 9:00 (November – March). Performers wear Ming Dynasty costumes and act out the old ceremony of opening the gate. Free to watch, no booking needed—arrive 10 minutes early for a good spot.
Night Walking Tour:
Guided tours every evening at 19:30 (April – October) and 18:30 (November – March). Guides tell stories about the wall’s history. Cost: 80 RMB ($11 USD) per person. Book at the South Gate visitor center 1 day in advance.
Practical Tips & Etiquette
- Clothing: Wear comfortable sports shoes—walking or cycling on the wall needs lots of walking. In summer, bring a hat and sunscreen; in winter, wear a warm coat (it’s cold on the wall).
- Safety: Don’t lean on the wall’s edge (it’s high). Keep children close—there are no fences in some areas. Don’t ride bicycles too fast—other visitors walk on the wall.
- Etiquette: Don’t write or draw on the old bricks. Don’t litter—use the trash cans at the gate towers. Speak quietly during the gate opening ceremony to respect the performance.
Food
Within 3 kilometers of the Xi ‘an City Wall, there are the following delicacies:
- Xi’an Roujiamo: A “Chinese hamburger”—bread with braised pork inside. Cost: 8 – 12 RMB ($1.1 – $1.7 USD) each. Try it at “Laoma Roujiamo” near South Gate.
- Cold Noodles (Liangpi): Thin noodles with spicy sauce, cucumber, and bean sprouts. Cost: 10 – 15 RMB ($1.4 – $2.1 USD) per plate. Available at small restaurants near East Gate.
- Mutton Soup (Yangrou Tang): Warm soup with mutton and radish. Good for winter. Cost: 20 – 30 RMB ($2.8 – $4.2 USD) per bowl. Try it at “Xinjiang Mutton Soup Shop” near West Gate.
- Sugar-coated Hawthorns (Tanghulu): Hawthorns on a stick, covered with sugar. Sweet and sour. Cost: 5 – 8 RMB ($0.7 – $1.1 USD) per stick. Sold by street vendors near all gates.
Common Q&A
Q: Can I bring a backpack on the wall?
A: Yes, but don’t bring large bags (over 50cm) — they’re not allowed. Small backpacks for water and snacks are okay.
Q: Is the wall wheelchair accessible?
A: Only South Gate has a ramp for wheelchairs. Other gates have only stone steps, so it’s hard for wheelchairs to get up.
Q: How long does it take to walk the whole wall?
A: About 3 – 4 hours. Most visitors cycle instead, which takes 1 – 1.5 hours.
Q: Are there restrooms on the wall?
A: Yes, there are restrooms at every 2 – 3 watchtowers. They’re clean and have hand-washing facilities.
Q: Can I visit the wall at night?
A: Yes, the wall is open until 22:00 (April – October) and 19:00 (November – March). The gate towers are lit up at night, which looks beautiful.
Mike Wang
Mike Wang is a 40-something Chinese travel expert, has explored the world,
hosting numerous foreign visitors. He’s deeply interested in and knowledgeable
about ancient cultural architectures, enriching journeys with his insights.