Cycling is the best way to explore the historic city walls of Xi'an. Yuan Jingzhi / For China Daily  

Players participating in Miss Tourism Queen International Final 2011 take a riding tour on Xi'an city wall. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Foreigners ride bikes on Xi'an city wall. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Xi'an

The best way to tour Xi'an's city walls is on two wheels.

The Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area is in the central part of Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province.

The city walls have a total length of 13.74 km and were built during the early years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), though there were earlier walls built during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).

The walls are a bit thicker than their tall, which gives them great defensive solidity.

The defensive wall system has a number of military aspects, including a moat, drawbridges, gateways, watchtowers and turrets.

Since 1983, the governments of Shaanxi province and Xi'an municipality carried out large-scale renovations of the city's walls, including the East Gate, North Gate Watchtower and South Gate buildings and drawbridges.

Outside the city walls is a park, surrounded by a moat; while inside the city walls are old-style streets and there are plenty of places to buy souvenirs and find board and lodging.

malie@chinadaily.com.cn

Tips

Recommended cycling route: Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area

Estimated duration: one hour

Best season for cycling: spring and autumn.

Bicycle rental: Bicycles are available at all four wall gates from 8 am to 9:30 pm. The rental fee for a bike is 40 yuan ($6.35) for 100 minutes. For a double-seat bike, it is 80 yuan.

Reminder: The wall route is a little bumpy and you should take care.