Xi'an City Wall
wall
The most complete ancient city wall in China — a 13.74 km Ming-dynasty fortification still encircling the old city.
Ancient Capital
Xi'an
Ancient capital of 13 dynasties — birthplace of the Terracotta Army and guardian of China's best-preserved city wall.
Immerse Yourself
China's architectural landscape is a tapestry of ancient wisdom and modern innovation.
Architecture of Xi'an City Wall
See the picture and read about the magnificent architecture of Xi'an's ancient city wall — discover the majesty of ancient Chinese defensive design and construction techniques.
Chinese Bracket System
The Dǒugǒng (斗拱) — China's Most Ingenious Invention in Architecture. This interlocking bracket system, found on the gate towers of Xi'an's city wall, was engineered without a single nail and has endured for over 650 years.
Discover Architectural Marvels
Explore the intricate details and symbolic elements that make Xi'an's ancient architecture truly remarkable — from guardian roof statues on gate towers to the legendary sticky-rice mortar.
City Landmarks
Big Wild Goose Pagoda
pagoda
A towering Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda that once stored sutras brought from India by the monk Xuanzang.
Great Mosque of Xi'an
mosque
One of China's oldest and largest mosques — a unique fusion of Islamic faith and traditional Chinese architecture.
Bell Tower of Xi'an
tower
The symbolic centrepiece of Xi'an's ancient grid — a magnificent Ming-dynasty tower standing at the exact crossroads of the old city.
About Xi'an
Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China and served as the capital of no fewer than thirteen dynasties, making it a cradle of Chinese civilisation. Known internationally as the home of the extraordinary Terracotta Army — the 8,000-strong funerary force buried with the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang — the city also boasts the most intact ancient city wall in China, dating back to the Ming dynasty. The towering Big Wild Goose Pagoda reflects the city's significance as a Buddhist centre, while the Great Mosque in the Muslim Quarter stands as a testament to Xi'an's role as the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, where East met West for millennia.