Ancient City Wall

Last Update: 2008-5-28; By Sunny

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Edition HistoryEdit Introduction:

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The city wall we see today, the best preserved in China, was built from the 7th to 11th Year of Hongwu (1374-1378 AD), over six centuries ago according to the policy of the first Ming Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang: "Built the city wall highly, stored up foodstuffs widely and claimed supremacy slowly."As a solid defense project, the thickness of the wall is more than its height, so military drilling could be held on the top. The whole city wall is indeed composed of a full range of military establishments including moat, suspension bridge, watch tower, arrow tower, turret and suchlike. The southern wall is 3, 4441.6 meters and the northern wall is 3,241 meters in length while the whole wall is 11.9 kilometers in total. The ancient weapons did not have the power to break through a thick stone and brick wall and the only way for an enemy to enter the city was to attack the gate of the city. This fact explains why complicated and strong gate structures were built for the defense of the whole city. In Xian, the city wall has four gates and they are respectively named as Changle (meaning eternal joy) in the east, Anding (harmony peace) in the west, Yongning (eternal peace) in the south and Anyuan (forever harmony) in the north. The south gate, very close to the Bell Tower and downtown Xi'an, is the most beautifully decorated one.

South Gate

Being the most ancient one, the South Gate was built in the beginning of Shui Dynasty (582 AD) and called Shangan Gate. It was called South Gate when the new imperial city was built by Han Jianshuo and renamed Yongning (permanent peace) Gate in Ming Dynasty. Today it is noted for its closeness to its original condition as compared to all the old city gates, but an arrow tower has been at its side. Every day cars, pedestrians and bicycles are going through the gate.

Zhuque (Red Sparrow) Gate

Before the Zhuque Gate, the main entrance of the Tang Forbidden City is the famous Zhuque Avenue, the Avenue des Champs Elysees of the ancient Xi'an, where the emperors of Shui and Tang often held various parades and ceremonies here thousands of years ago. The remains of the Gate were rediscovered in 1985 when the city wall of Ming Dynasty was opened. The depict of the gate in the literature works of Shui and Tang were testified by the unearthed site. As described, the gate was truly imposing and built by huge block of marbles and engraved with plenty of imaginative and pretty patterns. The new gate we see today was actually built in 1986 precisely according to its original look.

Hanguang Gate

The Hanguang Gate is in the west wing of the southern face of the imperial city. At the end of Tang where Han Jianshuo built the new city, the middle and west entries were closed down and only the east entry was left untouched. When the North Song Dynasty came a couple of centuries later, the east entry was also blocked out. In 1984 the ancient city wall was restored, and the Hanguang Gate relics was rediscovered whose doors, pillars and foundation were made of granitic rocks. Now the restoration of the whole site is still under process and will soon open to tourists.

West Gate

The West Gate, originally the central gate in the west wing of the Tang Forbidden City, was preserved after the construction of the new Forbidden City by Han Jianshuo at the end of Tang Dynasty. It was moved southward and renamed Anding (safe and stable) when the city wall was expanded in Ming Dynasty.

Wenchang (Prosperity of Learning) Gate

The Wenchang Gate in the south of the Forest of Stone Tablets Museum was rebuilt in 1986. On the top of the wall, there stands the Pavilion of Kuixin (Star of Chief), which is the only non-military establishment of the ancient city wall. Kuixin, or Star of Chief, is also called Kuisu and among the 24 constellations. In the ancient China, Kuixin was deemed to be in charge of learning and scholarship so people respectfully called him Wenqu Star or Wenchang Star. If somebody was chosen by his red brush, he would be a Zhuangyuan, or a NO. One Scholar. In the past, the Pavilion or Shrine of Kuixin were widely built and worshipped in the Temple of Confucius and schools. Inside the pavilion, tourists can see the typical image of Kuixin, or the Star of Chief: slovenly, sot-like, staggering, wearing messy hairs and big whiskers, holding a brush and a wine gourd. Therefore the city gate near the Pavilion of Kuixin is named Wenchang, or the prosperity of learning.

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Edition HistoryEditLocation:

No. 117 Huanta Road, Xi'an

Edition HistoryEditTicket Price:

10 Yuan/Person from the west gate and 40 Yuan/person form the south gate (Yongning Gate).

Edition HistoryEdit Opening Time:
8:00 – 22:00

Edition HistoryEdit How to get there:

It is within walking distance from the ancient Culture Street

Edition HistoryEdit Tips:

1.Tel: 029-87218646

2.
One can cycle on the broad top of the wall. Near the South Gate a bicycle can be rent at 10 Yuan for one hour and a bicycle with two seats at 20 Yuan for one hour. Some sections in the western wing and the North Gate Train Station are undergoing construction and cyclists cannot enter those construction sites. A lap of the city gate is 13. 7 kilometers.

3.
One can climb the city wall from all the gates mentioned above after paying the admission fee. Tourists who dislike cycling may choose to ride the electric sightseeing car and the fare depends on the distance of the tour.

4.
It is optimal to tour the ancient city wall in late afternoon, when there are few visitors and the ancient wall gives out special charms in the setting sun.

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