Exploring Xi’an ( The City Wall of Xi’an, September 24, 2004)

Author: * jojo Chi - 27 Posts on this thread out of 30 Posts sitewide.
Date: Oct 28, 2004 - 12:48

This afternoon we toured the ancient city wall of Xi’an. The city wall took eight years to construct and was built in the third year of Emperor Hong Wu (1370 A.D.) of the Ming Dynasty on the former site of the Royal City in the Tang Dynasty. It is 12 meters high, 13.74 km. long, 12-14 meters wide on the top and 15-18 meters wide at the bottom. On top of the wall there is a rampart for stationing soldiers every 120 meters, totaling 96. At the North, South, East and West gates there is a small inner city attached to a city tower.

A moat encircles the entire walled city. Notice the small bridge in the background. Below is a close up.

The impressive North Gate of the walled city

Here is a view along the top of the wall. It goes on and on around a rectangle nearly 8 miles long. You can rent a bike and pedal around the top of the wall.

Here I am strolling (a very short distance) on top of the wall.

It was on top of the wall that Ginger and I were made honorary Emperor and Empress of China!