Hong Ma
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I've been guiding foreigners around Xi'an for 12 years. The city wall is my favourite spot — but getting there drives most people crazy. Not because it's hard. Because online advice is outdated or flat-out wrong.
Let me fix that. Three ways to arrive, zero confusion.
Metro Is King
Take Line 2 to Yongningmen Station (永宁门). Exit A1. You'll see the wall right in front of you — no map needed. This is the fastest and cheapest option (2-4 RMB depending on distance).
Heads-up: Exit A1 has stairs only. If you have heavy luggage or a wheelchair, use Exit A2 (has an elevator) and walk 100 meters east.
From Xi'an North Railway Station: Line 2 direct, about 40 minutes. From Xi'an Railway Station (old one): take Line 4 one stop to Daminggong West, then switch to Line 2. Or just take a taxi (15 RMB, 10 minutes).
Metro runs 6:00-23:00. Last train from Yongningmen around 22:30 — don't miss it.
Bus & Taxi — When to Use Them
Bus Routes
Buses 600, 603, 215, and 603 all stop near the South Gate (Yongningmen). Get off at Nanguan stop. Fares are 1-2 RMB, but they can be crowded and slow during rush hour (8-9am, 5-7pm).
My advice: avoid buses if you're on a tight schedule. The air-conditioning is weak, and you'll fight for space.
Taxi & Ride-Hailing
From the city center (Bell Tower), a taxi costs about 10-15 RMB. But here's the catch: some drivers refuse to use the meter. They'll quote 30-50 RMB. Always insist on the meter (dǎ biǎo) or use DiDi (Chinese Uber) — it's cheaper and you know the price upfront. If you don't have WeChat Pay, carry small bills.
I had a client last month who paid 80 RMB from the train station because he didn't argue. Don't be that guy.
Which Gate to Enter?
South Gate (Yongningmen) is the main entrance — grand, photogenic, but mobbed with tourists. West Gate (Andingmen) is my secret weapon. It's quieter, the same ticket price, and the security line is 5 minutes vs 20 minutes at South Gate.
| Gate | Nearest Metro | Wait Time (peak) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Gate | Line 2, A1 | 15-25 min | First-timers, photos |
| West Gate | Line 6, Anyuanmen Exit B | 2-5 min | Speed, locals |
| East Gate | Line 1, Wulukou Exit C | 5-10 min | Near East Street shopping |
| North Gate | Line 2, Anyuanmen Exit A | 5-10 min | Close to old train station |
Opening hours: 8:00-22:00 (March-October), 8:00-19:00 (November-February). Last entry 1 hour before closing. Tickets cannot be bought after 20:00 (summer) or 17:00 (winter) — yes, that's a real trap.
Tickets & Timing (Don't Get Burned)
Adult ticket: 54 RMB. Children under 1.2m free, students 27 RMB (need valid ID). Seniors 65+ free with passport.
You can buy tickets at the gate (cash or WeChat) or book online via the official WeChat account "西安城墙" — but it's in Chinese only. I always tell my clients to just use the cash line. No queue, no app hassle.
Best time to go? 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM. Why? The harsh midday sun is gone, the light turns golden for photos, and you can watch the sunset from the wall. I've seen too many tourists collapse at noon. Bring water — the shops on the wall charge triple.
Bicycle rental: 45 RMB per 2 hours. You need to leave a deposit of 200 RMB (cash only!). Yes, in 2025, they still require cash for deposits. Plan ahead.
The Insider Shortcut
If you're staying near Bell Tower, here's a trick: walk to the intersection of Dongdajie and South Street. There's a pedestrian underpass that leads directly to the Yongningmen metro station — you can walk through the tunnel and come out at the A1 exit without crossing a single busy road. Saves you 5-7 minutes of crossing traffic. Most tourists miss it because they follow the crowd above ground.
FAQ
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
Did the 'express' combo: subway to Hepingmen Station, then a tuk-tuk for 10 RMB to the South Gate. Total time from hotel to wall: 22 minutes! The tuk-tuk driver knew the shortcut through the hutong. Once on the wall, I walked the east section—so peaceful, with the old city on one side and modern skyline on the other. The local tips saved me at least 40 minutes. Brilliant!
Tried the North Gate (Anyuan) route based on the local tips. Fast entry? Yes. But the whole area around the gate is under renovation, so I had to walk through a dusty alley to reach the stairs. The wall view from the north section is less picturesque (lots of modern buildings). If you want the best photos, go to the South Gate. For speed only, this works.
Followed the 'fastest way' advice to use the East Gate (Changle) entrance. It worked—no queue at the ticket counter at 9am. However, the walk from the bus stop was longer than I thought (about 10 mins). The wall itself is impressive, but the nearby construction noise killed the vibe a bit. Still a solid experience, just not the 'instant' access I hoped for.
We took the subway to Yongningmen Station (South Gate) like the article suggested—so easy! From the station exit it's a 3-minute walk to the ticket booth. The wall was less crowded than I expected on a Saturday. Only downside: the bike rental was a bit pricey (45 RMB), but the breeze on top of the wall made it worth it. Definitely recommend starting early to avoid the heat.
I used the local tip about renting a bike right at the South Gate entrance—hands down the fastest way to get up and go. The climb up the ramp took less than 2 minutes, and having a bike saved me from the crowded bus situation. The wall itself is stunning, especially at sunset. 10/10 would do again!