{"id":10,"date":"2025-08-14T13:39:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T13:39:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/?p=10"},"modified":"2025-08-14T14:59:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T14:59:43","slug":"a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/travel-diaries\/a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall.html","title":{"rendered":"A Day Cycling Xi&#8217;an&#8217;s Ancient City Wall"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"text-center mb-20\">\n<p class=\"text-gray-700\">The most popular way to experience the wall is by bicycle. A complete circuit takes about 1.5-2 hours, offering changing perspectives of both ancient and <a href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/modern-xian.html\">modern Xi&#8217;an<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/picture\/citywall\/city-wall-map.png\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">I rolled out of bed at 6:30 a.m., lured by the promise of empty paths and sunrise over<a href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/city-wall.html\"> Xi\u2019an\u2019s old wall<\/a>. The taxi dropped me at the South Gate, where the air still carried a crisp morning chill\u2014perfect for what I hoped would be a full loop of the 14 kilometer rampart.<\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11\" src=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/A-Day-Cycling-Xians-Ancient-City-Wall.jpg\" alt=\"A Day Cycling Xi'an's Ancient City Wall.\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1440\" \/><\/div>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/travel-diaries\/a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall.html\/#Sorting_Tickets_and_Bikes_First\" >Sorting Tickets and Bikes First<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/travel-diaries\/a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall.html\/#First_Pedals_and_Early_Risers\" >First Pedals and Early Risers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/travel-diaries\/a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall.html\/#Mid-Morning_Surprises_and_Warnings\" >Mid-Morning Surprises (and Warnings)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/travel-diaries\/a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall.html\/#Noon_Heat_and_a_Chat_with_Mr_Li\" >Noon Heat and a Chat with Mr. Li<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/travel-diaries\/a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall.html\/#Afternoon_Light_and_the_Home_Stretch\" >Afternoon Light and the Home Stretch<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/travel-diaries\/a-day-cycling-xians-ancient-city-wall.html\/#Sundown_and_Goodbyes\" >Sundown and Goodbyes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"header-vfC6AV auto-hide-last-sibling-br\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sorting_Tickets_and_Bikes_First\"><\/span>Sorting Tickets and Bikes First<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">Before anything else, you need to sort entry and wheels. Tickets are 54 yuan (about $7.50) at the gates\u2014South Gate (Yongning Gate) is the busiest but most convenient, with English signs. You can also book via Ctrip or the \u201cMeet the City Wall\u201d WeChat mini-program to skip lines, which I\u2019d recommend on weekends.<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">Bikes? No bringing your own\u2014rental is mandatory, and they\u2019re available at all four main gates. I went for a single-speed at South Gate: 45 yuan for 100 minutes, 90 yuan for all day. Tandems are 90 yuan for 100 minutes (great for couples, but bulkier on narrow stretches).\ud83d\udc47<\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20\" src=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/bike-shop.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1062\" height=\"542\" \/><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">They\u2019ll ask for a 200-yuan deposit (cash or Alipay), which you get back when you return the bike\u2014just make sure to check the tires first. The guy at the rental counter pointed out a slow leak on mine, so I swapped it out\u2014smart move, since there\u2019s no repair station on the wall.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"header-vfC6AV auto-hide-last-sibling-br\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_Pedals_and_Early_Risers\"><\/span>First Pedals and Early Risers<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">By 7:45, I was rolling east. The path is wide, but here\u2019s the first tip: keep to the right. Locals cycle fast, especially the older guys in Lycra who treat this like a morning track. I swerved once to avoid a granny on a cruiser and nearly hit a stone pothole\u2014watch for those, especially near the North Gate where the bricks are uneven.<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">The morning light was magic, though. At Southeast Corner Tower, I hopped off to climb the wooden stairs. From the top, I could see breakfast stalls below firing up woks, their steam curling toward me. A tai chi group was practicing in the tower\u2019s shadow\u2014they nodded when I snapped a photo, but \u5c0f\u58f0 ly reminded me to watch my step: the stairs are steep and worn smooth by centuries of use.<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"header-vfC6AV auto-hide-last-sibling-br\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mid-Morning_Surprises_and_Warnings\"><\/span>Mid-Morning Surprises (and Warnings)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">By 10 a.m., the sun was strong. I\u2019d packed a hat, but wish I\u2019d brought sunscreen\u2014the wall has almost no shade. A family on a tandem passed me, kids \u5c16\u53eb ing, and the dad yelled, \u201cWatch the gate turns!\u201d He meant the narrow sections where the path bends around watchtowers\u2014you have to slow to a crawl, or you\u2019ll clip the stone edges. I saw a tourist wipe out there later, scraping his elbow\u2014no first-aid kit on-site, so band-aids in your bag are a good call.<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">Near North Gate, an old vendor sold\u00a0<em>bing tanghulu<\/em>\u00a0(candied hawthorns) from a cooler. \u201cYou\u2019re smart to ride early,\u201d he said, handing me a stick. \u201cBy noon, it\u2019s like a highway. Last week, two bikes crashed because someone stopped suddenly to take a photo.\u201d Fair point\u2014if you pause for pictures, pull all the way off the path.<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"header-vfC6AV auto-hide-last-sibling-br\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Noon_Heat_and_a_Chat_with_Mr_Li\"><\/span>Noon Heat and a Chat with Mr. Li<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">I stopped at a pavilion to eat the\u00a0<em>roujiamo<\/em>\u00a0I\u2019d grabbed near South Gate. A cyclist in his 60s, Mr. Li, joined me. \u201cRiding counterclockwise is better,\u201d he said, wiping sweat off his brow. \u201cThe wind hits you in the face going clockwise after 2 p.m.\u201d He also warned me about the West Gate stretch: \u201cKids love chasing each other there\u2014keep an eye out.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">He wasn\u2019t wrong. By 1 p.m., the wall was packed. A group of teens darted across the path, and I hit my brakes hard\u2014my bike\u2019s front tire skidded a little, but I stayed upright. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Pro move: test the brakes before you start. These rental bikes aren\u2019t top-tier, and some have loose cables.<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<h4 class=\"header-vfC6AV auto-hide-last-sibling-br\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Afternoon_Light_and_the_Home_Stretch\"><\/span>Afternoon Light and the Home Stretch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">By 3 p.m., the crowds thinned a bit. The western stretch runs along a busy street, so you\u2019ll hear honking below\u2014distracting, but the views of the Bell Tower glinting in the distance make up for it. Here\u2019s another tip: if your legs get tired, you can exit at any gate and re-enter later with your ticket (they scan it each time). I considered bailing at West Gate, but a street musician playing\u00a0<em>erhu<\/em>\u00a0below gave me a second wind\u2014his tune drifted up, slow and sad, and I pedaled to its rhythm.<\/div>\n<h4 class=\"header-vfC6AV auto-hide-last-sibling-br\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sundown_and_Goodbyes\"><\/span>Sundown and Goodbyes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">I rolled back to South Gate at 5:30, legs wobbly but grinning. The rental guy checked the bike (no scratches, phew) and handed back my deposit. \u201cYou did the whole loop?\u201d he said. \u201cMost foreigners quit at East Gate. Too many hills?\u201d There\u00a0<em>are<\/em>\u00a0gentle slopes, especially between North and West\u2014nothing brutal, but enough to make your thighs burn if you\u2019re out of shape.<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-19\" src=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Sundown-and-Goodbyes.jpg\" alt=\"Sundown-and-Goodbyes.jpg \" width=\"643\" height=\"857\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">As I walked through the gate, lanterns flickered on, turning the bricks gold. I grabbed a bowl of\u00a0<em>liangpi<\/em>\u00a0from a stall, and the vendor laughed when I said I\u2019d cycled all day. \u201cYou should come back in winter,\u201d he said. \u201cNo crowds, and the snow on the wall? Like a postcard.\u201d<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">Would I? In a heartbeat. Next time, I\u2019ll bring better brakes (okay, just check the bike more carefully) and a water bottle\u2014there are fountains, but they\u2019re spaced out, and by 2 p.m., I was parched.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"auto-hide-last-sibling-br paragraph-JOTKXA paragraph-element br-paragraph-space\">\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1x3r274 r-p1pxzi\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Have <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">you <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">cycled <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">the <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">City <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Wall? <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Share <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">your <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">tips <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">or <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">stories <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">in <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">the <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">comments!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1adg3ll r-1g7jtus r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-b88u0q r-1x3r274\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Explore <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">More<\/span><\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">: <\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Hungry <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">after <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">your <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">ride? <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Check <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">our <\/span><a class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1g4g62n r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-nvplwv r-1nao33i r-m71pgl r-1ddef8g r-1loqt21\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/food-guide.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-copy-preserve=\"1\">Food Guide<\/a> <span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">for <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">the <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">best <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-36ujnk\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">r<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">o<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">u<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">j<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">i<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">a<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">m<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">o<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">and <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-36ujnk\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">l<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">i<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">a<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">n<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">g<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">p<\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">i<\/span><\/span> <span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">spots <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">in <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Xi\u2019an\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Muslim <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Quarter. <\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Want <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">more <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">history? <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Dive <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">into <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">our <\/span><a class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1g4g62n r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-nvplwv r-1nao33i r-m71pgl r-1ddef8g r-1loqt21\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/history-culture.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-copy-preserve=\"1\">Cultural Musings<\/a> <span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">for <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">stories <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">behind <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Xi\u2019an\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">ancient <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">landmarks. <\/span> <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3\"><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">Plan <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">your <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">next <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">stop <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">with <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">our <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">main <\/span><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">site\u2019s <\/span><a class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1g4g62n r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-nvplwv r-1nao33i r-m71pgl r-1ddef8g r-1loqt21\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/attractions.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-copy-preserve=\"1\">Xi\u2019an Attractions<\/a> <span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">and <\/span><a class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1g4g62n r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-nvplwv r-1nao33i r-m71pgl r-1ddef8g r-1loqt21\" role=\"link\" href=\"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/food-guide.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" data-copy-preserve=\"1\">Food Guide<\/a><span class=\"css-1jxf684 r-bcqeeo r-1ttztb7 r-qvutc0 r-poiln3 r-1x3r274 r-nhe8su r-yn5ncy r-clrlgt r-1ftll1t\">.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The most popular way to experience the wall is by bicycle. A complete circuit takes about 1.5-2 hours, offering changing perspectives of both ancient and modern Xi&#8217;an. I rolled out of bed at 6:30 a.m., lured by the promise of empty paths and sunrise over Xi\u2019an\u2019s old wall. The taxi dropped me at the South Gate, where the air still carried a crisp morning chill\u2014perfect for what I hoped would be a full loop of the 14 kilometer rampart. Sorting Tickets and Bikes First Before anything else, you need to sort entry and wheels. Tickets are 54 yuan (about $7.50) at the gates\u2014South Gate (Yongning Gate) is the busiest but most convenient, with English signs. You can also book via Ctrip or the \u201cMeet the City Wall\u201d WeChat mini-program to skip lines, which I\u2019d recommend on weekends. &nbsp; Bikes? No bringing your own\u2014rental is mandatory, and they\u2019re available at all four main gates. I went for a single-speed at South Gate: 45 yuan for 100 minutes, 90 yuan for all day. Tandems are 90 yuan for 100 minutes (great for couples, but bulkier on narrow stretches).\ud83d\udc47 They\u2019ll ask for a 200-yuan deposit (cash or Alipay), which you get back when you return the bike\u2014just make sure to check the tires first. The guy at the rental counter pointed out a slow leak on mine, so I swapped it out\u2014smart move, since there\u2019s no repair station on the wall. First Pedals and Early Risers By 7:45, I was rolling east. The path is wide, but here\u2019s the first tip: keep to the right. Locals cycle fast, especially the older guys in Lycra who treat this like a morning track. I swerved once to avoid a granny on a cruiser and nearly hit a stone pothole\u2014watch for those, especially near the North Gate where the bricks are uneven. &nbsp; The morning light was magic, though. At Southeast Corner Tower, I hopped off to climb the wooden stairs. From the top, I could see breakfast stalls below firing up woks, their steam curling toward me. A tai chi group was practicing in the tower\u2019s shadow\u2014they nodded when I snapped a photo, but \u5c0f\u58f0 ly reminded me to watch my step: the stairs are steep and worn smooth by centuries of use. Mid-Morning Surprises (and Warnings) By 10 a.m., the sun was strong. I\u2019d packed a hat, but wish I\u2019d brought sunscreen\u2014the wall has almost no shade. A family on a tandem passed me, kids \u5c16\u53eb ing, and the dad yelled, \u201cWatch the gate turns!\u201d He meant the narrow sections where the path bends around watchtowers\u2014you have to slow to a crawl, or you\u2019ll clip the stone edges. I saw a tourist wipe out there later, scraping his elbow\u2014no first-aid kit on-site, so band-aids in your bag are a good call. &nbsp; Near North Gate, an old vendor sold\u00a0bing tanghulu\u00a0(candied hawthorns) from a cooler. \u201cYou\u2019re smart to ride early,\u201d he said, handing me a stick. \u201cBy noon, it\u2019s like a highway. Last week, two bikes crashed because someone stopped suddenly to take a photo.\u201d Fair point\u2014if you pause for pictures, pull all the way off the path. Noon Heat and a Chat with Mr. Li I stopped at a pavilion to eat the\u00a0roujiamo\u00a0I\u2019d grabbed near South Gate. A cyclist in his 60s, Mr. Li, joined me. \u201cRiding counterclockwise is better,\u201d he said, wiping sweat off his brow. \u201cThe wind hits you in the face going clockwise after 2 p.m.\u201d He also warned me about the West Gate stretch: \u201cKids love chasing each other there\u2014keep an eye out.\u201d &nbsp; He wasn\u2019t wrong. By 1 p.m., the wall was packed. A group of teens darted across the path, and I hit my brakes hard\u2014my bike\u2019s front tire skidded a little, but I stayed upright. Pro move: test the brakes before you start. These rental bikes aren\u2019t top-tier, and some have loose cables. Afternoon Light and the Home Stretch By 3 p.m., the crowds thinned a bit. The western stretch runs along a busy street, so you\u2019ll hear honking below\u2014distracting, but the views of the Bell Tower glinting in the distance make up for it. Here\u2019s another tip: if your legs get tired, you can exit at any gate and re-enter later with your ticket (they scan it each time). I considered bailing at West Gate, but a street musician playing\u00a0erhu\u00a0below gave me a second wind\u2014his tune drifted up, slow and sad, and I pedaled to its rhythm. Sundown and Goodbyes I rolled back to South Gate at 5:30, legs wobbly but grinning. The rental guy checked the bike (no scratches, phew) and handed back my deposit. \u201cYou did the whole loop?\u201d he said. \u201cMost foreigners quit at East Gate. Too many hills?\u201d There\u00a0are\u00a0gentle slopes, especially between North and West\u2014nothing brutal, but enough to make your thighs burn if you\u2019re out of shape. As I walked through the gate, lanterns flickered on, turning the bricks gold. I grabbed a bowl of\u00a0liangpi\u00a0from a stall, and the vendor laughed when I said I\u2019d cycled all day. \u201cYou should come back in winter,\u201d he said. \u201cNo crowds, and the snow on the wall? Like a postcard.\u201d &nbsp; Would I? In a heartbeat. Next time, I\u2019ll bring better brakes (okay, just check the bike more carefully) and a water bottle\u2014there are fountains, but they\u2019re spaced out, and by 2 p.m., I was parched. Have you cycled the City Wall? Share your tips or stories in the comments!Explore More: Hungry after your ride? Check our Food Guide for the best roujiamo and liangpi spots in Xi\u2019an\u2019s Muslim Quarter. Want more history? Dive into our Cultural Musings for stories behind Xi\u2019an\u2019s ancient landmarks. Plan your next stop with our main site\u2019s Xi\u2019an Attractions and Food Guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"aside","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10","post","type-post","status-publish","format-aside","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-diaries","post_format-post-format-aside"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36,"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10\/revisions\/36"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xiancitytravel.com\/article\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}