Xi'an city wall elevator project under review

A project to build an elevator on the ancient city wall in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, is being questioned after concerns arose that the project would damage the 600-year-old heritage site, Xinhua News Agency reported on Monday.

The city wall management committee said that the project is not being built in the wall body itself and will not damage the wall.

The elevator under construction will provide better service and conditions for the elderly and disabled people who visit the wall, according to the committee.

The Xi'an administration of heritage ordered the project halted while experts check whether the project will damage the wall.

Xi'an city wall, with a total perimeter of 13.74 km and a height of 12 meters, is more than 600 years old. It was built from 1374 to 1378 in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is a key heritage site under national top-level protection.