Explore China’s Historic City Walls with iBestTravel
China may have one Great Wall, but it also boasts numerous impressive city walls. Military defenses have long been a crucial architectural feature in cities throughout the country’s extensive and turbulent history. Nowadays, many still retain extensive walls, providing a terrific way to explore cities beyond Beijing.
Pingyao – China’s Best-Preserved Ancient Walled Town
While it’s true that Pingyao is no longer the hidden gem it once was, it remains a wonderfully preserved example of an ancient walled town. Now a major tourist destination, Pingyao retains a run-down charm in places, with grey brick courtyard buildings concealing warm kang beds, delicious dry Pingyao beef found in local restaurants, and the lingering smell of coal, which is Shanxi province’s most important industry.
With a population of around 100,000, Pingyao is relatively small by Chinese standards and is easy to explore on foot. Staying overnight during the week offers the best chance to avoid large tourist groups. It is at night and early in the morning that the city truly comes alive, as the dark backstreets and cool air create a striking, desolate atmosphere.
The Walls
Pingyao’s walls were originally constructed using tamped earth, later upgraded to brick from around 1370 with the advent of the Ming Dynasty. Some sections still showcase the original construction methods. The walls are reportedly shaped like a turtle, with large towers representing its head and tail at the north and south ends and multiple smaller towers on the east and west representing its feet.
Visitors can walk along the walls for approximately 3km from the north gate to the south gate, peering into courtyards below on one side and into the impressive moat on the other. Be sure to look out for various dioramas in each of the watchtowers, depicting life in old Pingyao.
Xi’an – China’s Most Complete City Walls
Celebrating 30 years since its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list, Xi’an has always been a pivotal city. Renowned as the oldest of the so-called ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals,’ it has served under several of the country’s crucial dynasties, as well as being the starting point of the Silk Road, a hub of diverse cultures and ancient military strength.
Today, as the home to the Army of Terracotta Warriors, the city is a must-visit for many travelers. The Muslim Quarter surrounding its ancient bell tower is famous for its extensive variety of mouthwatering food and vibrant atmosphere. In the crisp, cool evenings, the enticing aroma of food wafts through the air, complemented by swifts darting around in the fading light and locals flying kites high into the night sky.
The Walls
Xi’an’s rectangular city wall is the most complete in China and ranks among the largest remaining ancient defense systems globally. Constructed under the first Ming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang, its base is made of earth, quick lime, and glutinous rice extract, making it remarkably resilient. The wall as seen today is the product of construction during the Qing dynasty.
Soaring to an impressive height of 12m, the wall’s wide, flat top is perfect for walking or cycling its 14km length. Even on bustling days, it accommodates many visitors, though most prefer to alight at one of the 18 gates. If you plan to walk the entire length, be prepared with plenty of water, as there’s little shade along the way.
Nanjing – China’s Ming-Era Wall
Though many travelers pass through Nanjing, its wealth of historic sites makes it a worthy destination. Its name translates to ‘Southern Capital,’ contrasting with the ‘Northern Capital’ of Beijing, and is still regarded as the rightful capital by many overseas Chinese.
Positioned along the Yangtze River, Nanjing offers direct access to China’s interior and has been strategically vital for centuries. The construction of the 1800km Grand Canal, which links the fertile south with the arid north, significantly enhanced the city’s economic prominence. Today, it boasts elegant tree-lined avenues and Ming-era architecture throughout its center. Conversely, the Memorial Hall of the Nanjing Massacre serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities of war, honoring those who died during the Japanese invasion in 1937.
The Walls
Evidence indicates that Nanjing was initially fortified over 2,500 years ago, but it was under emperor Zhu Yuanzhang that the city’s walls were significantly extended and reinforced, a process taking 21 years and employing 200,000 conscripted laborers. A portion of the original red-rock structure is still visible in the city’s western area. The wall’s cultural importance is highlighted by the inscriptions on its bricks, naming the officials responsible for maintaining their quality.
Unlike Xi’an or Pingyao’s city walls, Nanjing’s walls aren’t uniformly rectangular. Instead, they utilize the city’s natural defenses provided by rivers, lakes, and mountains to define their contours. Visitors can walk on several sections, with the most accessible path running alongside Xuanwu Lake, which is the best-preserved segment, offering picturesque views of both the lake and Zijin Mountain, home to the majestic mausoleum of China’s first president, Sun Yat-sen.
Fenghuang – Wall Built Against Miao Invaders
Set against a backdrop of misty green forests and with buildings perched on stilts above the River Tuo, Fenghuang is a charming destination to explore for a day or two. Its winding, flagstone alleys, lined with traditional shops, temples, and aging dwellings, lead to narrow wooden bridges and stepping-stones crisscrossing the river.
Despite the ongoing influx of tourists—particularly during peak season—the town has preserved much of its traditional architecture. Straying from the main paths and wandering through the maze of backstreets allows visitors to experience a glimpse of life before the tourist surge.
As is common in many popular scenic spots in China, staying overnight is essential for relief from the crowds. Once the daytime groups have left, you can stroll through illuminated streets and sample local delicacies, including bamboo rat, frog, snake, and newt at the bustling night market just north of Hong Bridge.
The Walls
While Fenghuang has a section of restored Ming city walls along its riverbank, the main attraction is the Miaojiang Great Wall, often referred to as the ‘Southern Great Wall,’ situated 13km west of Fenghuang.
History reveals that Fenghuang has long served as a frontier town, positioned on the boundary between the Han civilizations of China’s central plains and the Miao, Tujia, and Dong minorities in the southwest. The wall was commissioned in 1554 during the Ming dynasty as a defense against Miao incursions and extended for approximately 190km. Though its sidewalls were destroyed during the late Ming dynasty, they were rebuilt under Qing rule, reflecting the rulers’ intentions to consolidate power over China’s southern minorities.
Today, only a section of the wall has been restored and is accessible to visitors. Nonetheless, it remains an impressive sight, providing stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Linhai – Southern China’s Other ‘Great Wall’
The small town of Linhai is often overlooked by tourists. Nestled among the lush, bamboo-covered hills of southern Zhejiang, it serves as a convenient stopover between Shanghai and the southeastern provinces of China, thanks to its own high-speed rail station.
The city is compact and easily navigable by foot, featuring a significant area of traditionally styled wooden-fronted shops that remain largely unrestored. At its southern end, wooded Jinshan Hill conceals ancient temples and crumbling stone pagodas. Visitors can ascend one of the pagodas for splendid views overlooking Linhai and its surrounding river and mountains. In the evenings, Linhai’s central square comes alive with couples ballroom dancing, middle-aged men engaging with spinning tops, and musicians performing for passing audiences.
The Walls
Linhai boasts another of southern China’s so-called ‘Great Walls,’ which now stretches 6km along the city’s western edge. This impressive structure was first established during the Eastern Jin dynasty (317 to 420) and expanded during the Sui and Tang dynasties (581 to 907), with restorations completed in the 1990s.
Built along the Lingjiang River and utilizing the surrounding mountains as natural barriers, the wall not only protected the city from invasions but also safeguarded it from floods. A walk along the wall can begin either at the northern Lansheng Gate, accessible via 198 steep steps, or from the more easily reachable gatehouses at its southern end. Be prepared to allocate a few hours for the complete walk, as certain sections of the wall can be quite steep.
