Xi'an City Wall西安城墙
Xi'an City Wall was built in the Hongwu era of the Ming dynasty on the foundations of the Tang imperial city, running 13.7 km in circumference, standing 12 m high and 12-14 m wide on top. It is the largest and best-preserved ancient city-wall defense system in China.
Xi'an · Visitor Guide2026-10-18
Quick Answer
Is Xi'an City Wall worth visiting?
China's most complete ancient city wall: Ming-built, 13.7 km around the old city, with a full circuit by bike in about 2 hours. Admission CNY 54. A must-see.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Adults CNY 54. Bicycle rental CNY 45 per 2 hours; e-bike CNY 90 per hour |
|---|---|
| Hours | 08:00-22:00 (South Gate open until 22:00; other gates vary slightly) |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours (a full circuit by bike takes about 2 hours) |
| Best time to visit | Spring (Mar-May) and autumn (Sep-Nov); early morning or dusk for the best light and photos |
| How to get there | Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station Exit A1, then buy tickets and go straight up; bus 608 to South Gate |
| English signage | |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Built | Ming Hongwu 3 (1370) |
| Circumference | 13.74 km |
| Height | 12 m |
| Thickness | 18 m at the base, 12-14 m on top |
| Gates | Four main gates |
| Protection | National key cultural relic site |
What to expect
Xi'an City Wall rises at the heart of the modern city, extended in the third year of the Ming Hongwu reign (1370) from the ruins of the Tang imperial city. It originally had four gates — Changle (East), Yongning (South), Anding (West) and Anyuan (North). Trapezoidal in cross-section and wide enough to drive along the top, it forms a complete defensive system.
Through more than six centuries of storms and repairs, the wall's main structure remains Ming-era. The outer rim of the parapet is crenellated for defense, and the gate towers, archery towers and sluice towers stand intact — a complete fortification of the cold-weapons age.
The best way to see the wall is to cycle the full circuit — about 14 km in roughly 2 hours — with sweeping views over the old city. At dusk the ride pairs sunset with the modern skyline, and the South Gate section stages a light show at night that is worth catching.
How to get there
Metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station Exit A1 puts you at the South Gate ticket office. Buses 8, 29 and 37 stop at South Gate. You can also buy tickets and enter at any of the other gates.
Best photo spots
- The South Gate tower (the classic angle, best at night)
- On top of the wall with the modern skyline behind
- Changle Gate (East Gate), the best preserved
- The battlements (great for portraits)
Tips
- Enter at the South Gate (Yongningmen) — this section has the best facilities
- Rent a bike right at opening to beat the crowds
- E-bikes are easier but pricier; bicycles are the more atmospheric choice
- The wall is mercilessly exposed in summer — bring sun protection and water; winters are cold and windy
Scams to avoid
- Unlicensed vendors around the wall overcharge; bring your own water or buy it before going up
- Touts claim to know a free gate — in fact every gate charges the same price
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to cycle around the wall?
About 2 hours, at an unhurried pace, with plenty of stops for photos along the way.
Are there toilets on the wall?
Yes — near the south, north, east and west gates; facilities elsewhere on the wall are sparse.
Can you visit the wall in the rain?
The surface gets slippery when wet and bike rentals are suspended; a clear day is best.
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Other things to do in Xi'an
Anren Fang (Tang Dynasty Residential Complex)
One of the 108 warded quarters of Tang Chang'an, now an archaeological park where ordinary Tang residents lived and traded; new exhibit areas opened in 2023.
Banpo Neolithic Museum
A 6,000-year-old Neolithic village excavation on Xi'an's eastern edge — walkways over the pits of a 45-house settlement of the Yangshao culture, plus a re-creation village with thatched huts.
Banpo Museum
A 6,000-year-old Yangshao-culture village of a matrilineal clan — the essential stop for understanding China's Neolithic. Admission CNY 47, students CNY 27.
Beilin Museum
Xi'an's Stele Forest Museum holds China's greatest collection of ancient inscribed stelae — a pilgrimage site for calligraphy lovers. Admission CNY 65. A five-star must for anyone who loves the brush.
Bell Tower
The landmark at the very centre of Xi'an, built in the Ming dynasty. Admission CNY 30 to climb, or CNY 50 combined with the Drum Tower 200 m away. The night view is superb.
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
7th-century Buddhist pagoda built to house scriptures brought from India by the monk Xuanzang (the real Tripitaka). ¥50. Evening fountain show is free.
Da Ci'en Temple
A Tang-dynasty royal monastery built under Master Xuanzang and home to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. Admission CNY 40; a memorial to the great monk.
Drum and Bell Towers
Two 14th-century Ming-dynasty towers anchoring Xi'an's old-city centre — the Bell Tower (1384) at the crossroads, the Drum Tower (1380) at the Muslim Quarter gate. ¥30 each to climb, 1-1.
Drum Tower
A Ming-dynasty landmark facing the Bell Tower across the old city; tower admission CNY 30, drum show CNY 10, combo with the Bell Tower CNY 50. A must-visit.
Xi'an Beilin Museum (Forest of Steles)
China's largest collection of ancient stone tablets and a mecca for calligraphy lovers, set within the old Confucian temple complex. Admission CNY 65. A must-see.
Grand Tang Mall (Datang Everbright City)
A 1.5-km free pedestrian avenue of lit-up Tang-style pavilions, costumed performers, and food stalls running south from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda through Xi'an's Qujiang district.
Great Mosque of Xi'an
A 1,280-year-old mosque site down Huajue Lane that looks like a Ming temple but serves Xi'an's Hui Muslim community — four courtyards, a pagoda-style minaret, no domes.
Han and Tang Dynasty Street
The core stretch of Xi'an's Great Tang All Day Mall, about 2.1 km long and opened in 2008; free entry, light shows run 19:00-23:00, next to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
Huaqing Palace
Tang Dynasty imperial hot springs resort — Yang Guifei's bathing pool, scene of the 1936 Xi'an Incident. ¥120 entry. 30 km east of Xi'an. Combine with Terracotta Army.
Huaqing Pool
Royal hot springs from the Zhou through the Tang dynasty, setting of Emperor Xuanzong's romance with Consort Yang. CNY 120 covers the grounds; the Song of Everlasting Sorrow show plays at night.
Mount Hua
The most perilous of the Five Great Mountains — 5-6 hours to the summit on foot, or take the cableway to save your legs. Entry CNY 160 plus CNY 40 shuttle; a five-star must-see.
Muslim Quarter
Xi'an's 1,200-year-old Hui Muslim food district — 10+ blocks of lamb skewers, hand-pulled noodles, persimmon cakes, and the 1,300-year-old Great Mosque. Free entry. Food ¥5–50 per item.
Muslim Street (Huimin Street)
Famous food street in Xi'an's Muslim Quarter; free entry, shops open about 09:00-23:00, a 10-minute walk from Zhonglou metro station, famed for paomo, liangpi and lamb skewers.
Shaanxi Grand Theater
Northwest China's largest theater, opened in 2017 with 1,800 seats and show tickets CNY 80-380. Tang-inspired architecture in the Grand Tang Ever-Bright City, 10 minutes from Dayanta station.
Shaanxi History Museum
China's first large modern history museum, opened in 1991 in Xi'an with over 1.71 million relics; free with 3-day advance booking, Hejiacun exhibit 30 yuan, murals hall 270 yuan.
Small Wild Goose Pagoda
Tang-dynasty brick pagoda in Xi'an built 707-710 and rising 43 m over 15 tiers; free with reservation, tower climb 30 yuan, open 9:00-17:00 and closed Tuesdays.
The Song of Everlasting Sorrow
A large-scale outdoor drama staged on the lake at Huaqing Pool, retelling the romance of Emperor Xuanzong and Consort Yang. Tickets CNY 188-588. A visual feast that is well worth watching.
Tang West Market Site
The excavated heart of Tang Chang'an's commerce — origin of the phrase dongxi, 'east-west' — with a museum recreating Silk Road trade at its peak. Free entry; allow 1-2 hours.
Terracotta Army
UNESCO site with 8,000+ life-sized warriors buried 2,200 years ago. 1.5 hours from Xi'an. Allow 3-4 hours.
Xi'an City Wall
The best-preserved ancient city wall in China — 13.7 km of Ming Dynasty fortifications you can bike on top of. ¥54 entry, ¥45 bike rental. 2–3 hours to bike the full loop.
Museums in Xi'an
Banpo Museum
A 6,000-year-old Neolithic village preserved in situ — walk through a matriarchal Yangshao Culture settlement with houses, kilns, and a burial ground. ¥65. China's first prehistoric site museum.
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum (Terracotta Warriors)
About 8,000 life-size clay soldiers buried in 210 BCE to guard China's first emperor — plan 3 to 4 hours on site plus 90 minutes each way from central Xian.
Shaanxi History Museum
China's most historically significant provincial museum for ancient Chinese civilization — built on the Shaanxi province that hosted 13 imperial dynasties.
Shaanxi History Museum — Qin-Han Branch
New branch opened 2024 near the Qin Dynasty palace ruins. Focuses exclusively on the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC-220 AD). Free. Book ahead.
Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
The world-famous Terracotta Army viewed through the museum lens: excavation in progress, bronze chariot conservation, and the science behind 2,200-year-old polychrome preservation. ¥120.
Forest of Steles Museum (Xi'an Beilin Museum)
Xi'an's 1,094-year-old "Forest of Steles" holds more than 3,000 carved stone tablets and rewards 2–3 hours of close looking — most visitors should skip the calligraphy trance and head strai.
Xi'an City Wall Museum
The museum on top of China's most complete Ming Dynasty city wall — documenting the wall's construction, military history, and the "Ming Great Wall" system. Included in wall ticket.".. 20.
Xi'an Museum
Tang Dynasty artifacts inside the Small Wild Goose Pagoda temple complex — a calmer, more intimate alternative to the Shaanxi History Museum. Free entry with garden and pagoda access.".. 2026.
Terracotta Army Museum (Museum of the Terracotta Army and Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang)
The 8th Wonder of the World — 8,000+ life-size terracotta warriors, horses, and chariots buried to guard the tomb of China's first emperor (210 BCE).
Yongle Palace Museum (Yongle Gong)
Yuan-dynasty Taoist complex at Ruicheng (Yuncheng, Shanxi) — the largest surviving ensemble of Yuan murals in China, led by the 'Procession of Immortals'. About 2 hours from Xi'an by rail. ¥60.