Ancient City Wall

Ancient Silk Road mosque in Chinese architectural style

Qianyi L.
By Qianyi L.·Updated May 2026·10 min read
Xi'an Ancient City Wall at sunset, Shaanxi, China
Time needed
2-3 hours
Rating
AAA

Overview

Xi'an's Ancient City Wall is the most complete city wall in China, stretching 13.7 kilometres around the old city centre. Built in the early Ming Dynasty (1370-1378), the wall stands 12 metres high and 15 metres wide at the top — wide enough to drive a car along. Cycling the full circuit takes approximately 2 hours and offers a unique elevated perspective over the old city and the modern city beyond.

Plan your visit

Best time to visit

Early morning or evening. Spring and autumn for comfortable cycling.

Getting there

Multiple gates provide access to the wall. South Gate (Nan Men) is the main entrance, 10 minutes walk from the Bell Tower. Bike hire available at most gates.

Nearby

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