The ancient city wall in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, stands as one of the largest and best-preserved fortifications in China.
In recent years, the wall has developed a unique preventive protection system that promotes a deep integration of culture and tourism through a variety of engaging themed activities, allowing this historic site to thrive in the modern era.
As night falls, the Yongning Gate of the Xi’an City Wall lights up spectacularly. Every evening, tourists are welcomed with the “Tang Dynasty Welcoming Ceremony,” rooted in the traditions of the prosperous Tang era. Visitors can immerse themselves in Xi’an’s rich cultural heritage through this interactive greeting as they enter the city.
High Dongchen, a tourist from Tianjin, shared, “The city wall was our first stop in Xi’an. Once we arrived, we were immediately struck by its grandeur and the sense of history that envelops the site.”
Located in the heart of Xi’an, the city wall stretches 13.74 kilometers and dates back over 1,400 years to the Sui Dynasty. During the recent National Day holiday, the wall featured various themed events, including intangible cultural heritage exhibitions and interactive activities centered on Tang culture, attracting a remarkable 278,000 visitors.
Zhu Yuan, a staff member of the Cultural and Tourism Development Department of the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee, said, “We’ve initiated the International Ancient City Wall Alliance to showcase the wall’s historical and cultural essence to the world, allowing tourists an up-close experience of a thousand years of civilizational history.”
Outside the city wall, a drone-operated cleaning boat performs its daily inspection routine in the moat. This innovative vessel not only removes debris from the water’s surface but also transmits various water quality indicators in real-time to a comprehensive management platform located hundreds of meters away. Given that the wall’s structure is made of rammed earth, monitoring the water quality and levels in the moat is crucial for its preservation.
Zhao Bin, the Director of the Digital Industry Innovation Center of the Xi’an City Wall, explained, “The platform we currently utilize consolidates real-time data related to the city wall, including measurements on cracks, displacement, subsidence, and moisture content.”
At the foot of the Xi’an City Wall, members of the Qingfeng Choir gather each morning in the City Park for rehearsal. Many of these singers are long-time residents, witnesses to the transformation of the area surrounding the wall.
Li Zongrang, a local citizen, remarked, “The moat has been increasingly improved, and the environment is getting better. Singing in the park lifts everyone’s spirits!”
Since 2003, Xi’an has undertaken four major renovations of the moat in sections. Efforts such as dredging, bank stabilization, and obstacle removal have transformed the area into a beautiful city park with clear water and green banks, providing a free cultural and recreational space for the local community.
Jia Haitao, the head of the Cultural and Tourism Development Department of the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee, stated, “We’re committed to fully restoring the moat’s water body to enhance its health. Within the City Park, we’ve planted over 1,045,000 square meters of greenery and more than 2,000 square meters of aquatic plants.”
Wu Chun, Deputy Director of the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee, concluded, “Moving forward, we will continue to uphold the principles of cultural heritage preservation in the new era and actively explore new pathways for revitalizing these precious assets.”
