XI'AN CITY WALLS

Xi'an's walls are still intact. They form a 14 km long rectangular barrier around the city centre. These walls were built in 1370 over the foundations of the Tang imperial palace.The bastions are 12 m high while the bases are 18 metres thick. We climbed to the ramparts and ventured along the perimeter for what seemed a modest 14 km! Actually, the adventure was more likely 1.4 km!


The entrance on the South Gate wall.

The Wall from within the City.

One of the City "gates".

A moon gate within the entrance.

Reflections of a bridge over the moat.

A pedestrian bridge leading to the climb towards the ramparts.

We still must clamber 12 m vertically to reach the bastions.

Another Moon Gate on the way to the ramparts.

Large building on the ramparts.

The Wall stretches into the distance.

At last we have reached the ramparts.

A watch tower.

The Moat outside the Wall.

Spring has arrived outside the City Wall.

A Moon Gate opens into an alley inside the City Wall.

A view outside the City Wall.

Homes inside the City Walls.

Substantial buildings seen from the ramparts.

Roof tiling so common on local houses.

Ornate guttering common on houses.

Exiting the City Wall.