Xi'an City Wall

The city wall the encircles the old core of the City of Xi’an is probably the oldest, best preserved, and most impressive city wall fortification still standing in the People’s Republic of China.

Construction of the Xi’an City Wall began in the early Ming Dynasty in 1370.  T he purpose was to protect the city from invaders. The walls, however, do not protect the city of Xi’an from the tourist hordes that descend on this very well-touristed town. The good news is that the walls continue for 14 kilometers, or 8.7 miles, and except for the areas around the four entry gates, crowds are light. Because the walls tower over the streets of Xi’an, some excellent views of the city can be seen from the walls, too.

There is even a bit of moat around part of the wall.