City Wall by bike

西安城墙 永宁门（南门）

A 13.7 km loop on top of a 600-year-old wall, by bike

⚠ Passport entry; collect voucher

Hours

South Gate roughly 8am–10pm; other gates usually close around 8pm

Tickets

¥54 all year (concession ¥27); real-name, bring your passport. Bikes ¥45 for 3 hours extra

Address

Yongningmen, the South Gate, where the bike rental is

The top of the wall is as wide as a four-lane road, so bikes simply roll. On one side are tiled roofs, lanes and the Bell Tower; on the other, the moat and tower blocks. Do the whole loop and it sinks in that this 1370 Ming rebuild still rings the entire old city. The bricks are bumpier than they look, though, and nearly every review mentions a sore backside or wrists. Set off late in the afternoon and ride back as the gate towers light up.