Xian City Wall is one of the most complete city walls that have survived through China's long history. Built on Tang dynasty (618 – 907 AD) foundations, Xian City Wall [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] dates to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD). When the Dynasty was established, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Dynasty, ordered to build city walls on a large scale to keep out bandits and barbarians. Xian City Wall was enlarged at this time and had been repaired for many times in later years.
Xian City Wall is imposing. The massive walls measure 12m high and 16m wide at the base, tapering to 12 m to 14 m and is 13.74 km in circumference. The first City Wall of Xi'an [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] was built of earth, rammed layer upon layer. The base layer was made of earth, quick lime, and glutinous rice extract, tempered together. It made the wall extremely strong and firm. Later, the wall was totally enclosed with bricks. On top of the wall, there is a brick water trough every 40-60 meters. They are used for drainage. They have played a very important role in the long-term protection of the city wall of Xian.
Xian Ancient City WallIn ancient times, the gates of the city wall were the only way to go into and out of town. Therefore, these gates were important, strategic points, that the feudal rulers racked their brains to try to defend. In Xian's case, the east, west, south and north gates, each consists of three gate towers: Zhenglou, Zhalou and Jianlou. Zhenglou tower [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] is the main entrance to the city. Jianlou and Zhenglou are connected by tunnels, called Wengcheng in which soldiers could be stationed. From the Wengcheng there are also horse passages leading to the top of the wall. There are all together 11 horse passages around the city.
Today, a circular park has been built in between the high wall and the city moat, all around the city [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Citizens and travelers can enjoy themselves among the thriving trees and flowers, the rockeries, and the buildings of classical Chinese architecture.
Xian City Wall is imposing. The massive walls measure 12m high and 16m wide at the base, tapering to 12 m to 14 m and is 13.74 km in circumference. The first City Wall of Xi'an [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] was built of earth, rammed layer upon layer. The base layer was made of earth, quick lime, and glutinous rice extract, tempered together. It made the wall extremely strong and firm. Later, the wall was totally enclosed with bricks. On top of the wall, there is a brick water trough every 40-60 meters. They are used for drainage. They have played a very important role in the long-term protection of the city wall of Xian.
Xian Ancient City WallIn ancient times, the gates of the city wall were the only way to go into and out of town. Therefore, these gates were important, strategic points, that the feudal rulers racked their brains to try to defend. In Xian's case, the east, west, south and north gates, each consists of three gate towers: Zhenglou, Zhalou and Jianlou. Zhenglou tower [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] is the main entrance to the city. Jianlou and Zhenglou are connected by tunnels, called Wengcheng in which soldiers could be stationed. From the Wengcheng there are also horse passages leading to the top of the wall. There are all together 11 horse passages around the city.
Today, a circular park has been built in between the high wall and the city moat, all around the city [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]. Citizens and travelers can enjoy themselves among the thriving trees and flowers, the rockeries, and the buildings of classical Chinese architecture.