Peng Gao
Quick Navigation
I've led countless tours up the Xi'an City Wall. And almost every time, a tourist asks me: "Which gate should we enter?" The answer isn't simple—it depends on your priorities. South Gate (Yongningmen) is the grand entrance, but East Gate (Changlemen) often saves you time and hassle. Let me break it down from my on-ground experience.
First, a raw truth: many online guides tell you to enter South Gate because it's the most famous. But they forget to mention the crowds, the ticket queue that snakes under the hot sun, and the chaos of scooters in the plaza. I've seen families lose their cool there. So here's my take—read this before you book your taxi.
Why the Gate You Choose Matters
The Xi'an City Wall is 14 kilometers around. You'll likely rent a bike or walk a section. Your entrance gate determines your starting point, your first views, and your route. Picking the wrong gate can mean an extra 30 minutes in line or missing the best photo spots.
Plus, not all gates allow you to rent bicycles. For example, the South Gate has a large bike rental station, but the North and West gates? Forget it—they're under renovation or have limited service. I always tell my clients: decide your activity first, then choose the gate.
South Gate (Yongningmen) Overview
Address: Yongningmen, South Avenue, Xi'an. It's the center of the wall's southern side.
Getting there: Take metro Line 2 to Yongningmen Station, exit D2. You'll see the giant gate tower right in front of you. From the exit, it's a 3-minute walk through the underground passage—but note, the passage often has stairs and no escalator. If you have heavy luggage, use the elevator near exit D1.
Ticket Info: Standard ticket 54 CNY (adults), free for children under 1.2m. You must book online via the official WeChat mini-program "西安城墙" (search in Chinese, but the interface is in Chinese only—ask your hotel staff to help). Without a pre-booked QR code, you'll wait in a long physical line. I've seen tourists give up after 40 minutes in the midday heat. Buy online, it's a lifesaver.
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (last entry at 9:30 PM). The night view from South Gate is stunning—the lanterns light up the wall and the moat. But the bike rental closes at 8:30 PM, so plan accordingly.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Most stunning entrance with drum tower, drawbridge, and grand steps. | Always crowded, especially 10 AM – 3 PM. |
| Large bike rental station (about 200 bikes available). | Long queue for tickets during peak hours. |
| Close to the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter. | Street vendors aggressively sell souvenirs at the gate. |
| Good lighting for night photography. | No shade on the plaza—bring a hat and water. |
Best Times to Enter
Sunrise (8:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Few people, soft light, and the morning glow over the ancient bricks. I always recommend this slot for photographers.
Late afternoon (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM): The sun hits the south wall beautifully, and you can catch the sunset from the top. Plus, the heat fades.
Avoid 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM. I made this mistake once with a group—my clients were miserable under direct sun, and the bike seats were hot enough to fry an egg. Not kidding.
East Gate (Changlemen) Overview
Address: Changlemen, East Avenue, Xi'an. It's less flashy than South Gate but has its own charm.
Getting there: Take metro Line 1 to Kangfu Road Station, exit A. Then walk north for about 10 minutes. Or take bus 22, 33, or 47 to Changlemen Stop. The bus drops you almost at the gate.
Ticket Info: Same price as South Gate (54 CNY). But the online booking is less crowded; you can often buy same-day tickets without pre-ordering. However, I still recommend booking ahead to avoid any hiccups. You can also buy at the gate with cash—the line is usually short (5-10 minutes).
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM (last entry 8:30 PM). Bike rental closes at 7:30 PM.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Much fewer crowds; you can take photos without strangers in the frame. | Not as photogenic as South Gate—no drawbridge, just a simple passage. |
| Faster entry—no long ticket lines during most hours. | Bike rental station smaller (about 50 bikes), may run out on holidays. |
| Near the eastern section of the wall which has fewer obstacles (good for biking). | Less English signage; harder to find restrooms. |
| Cheaper nearby food options (street noodles, dumplings for 10-15 CNY). | Less convenient to main attractions (Bell Tower is 20-min walk or 7-min taxi). |
Best Times to Enter
Any weekday afternoon (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): I usually take my private groups here at 2 PM. We bike the entire wall in 2 hours, and we rarely hit traffic. The east section has gentle curves and good shade from the inner trees.
Evening (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM): The sunset colors from the east side are warmer because you're facing west. Plus, the breeze makes cycling pleasant.
Avoid the morning rush (8:00 AM – 9:30 AM) if you want to sleep in—East Gate's surrounding area is quieter, fewer breakfast stalls.
Other Gates Worth Considering
West Gate (Andingmen): Currently under renovation as of my last visit. The ramp is closed, and you can't enter from here. Avoid.
North Gate (Anyuanmen): Open but less maintained. The bike station is tiny (15 bikes). I only recommend if you're staying near the North Railway Station and want a quick visit. The view from north is mostly modern buildings.
South Gate (the one I've covered) is the only gate with a full ramp for wheelchairs and strollers. If accessibility is key, go South.
How to Avoid the Crowds at the Wall
- Book your ticket online via WeChat mini-program. Use Chinese characters. If you can't read Chinese, ask your hotel front desk to do it. They're used to this request.
- Enter by 8:30 AM – the first 30 minutes after opening are blissfully empty.
- Enter after 6:00 PM – the tour groups leave by 5 PM, and the wall turns peaceful again. The sunset ticket is valid until closing.
- Avoid public holidays (Chinese National Day Oct 1-7, Labor Day May 1-5). The wall gets packed like a subway train. Seriously.
- Use the East Gate if South Gate's line is long. I've directed many frustrated tourists to walk 15 minutes east, and they thanked me later.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Ticketing and Booking
You can book on Klook or Trip.com if you prefer English interfaces. Slightly higher cost (around 58 CNY) but saves the WeChat headache.
If you buy at the gate: cash (RMB) only for physical tickets, no credit cards. International cards (Visa, Mastercard) only work at some self-service machines near South Gate, and they tend to glitch. I've seen many tourists struggle—bring cash or get a Chinese friend to help.
What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes – you'll walk or bike on uneven bricks. No heels.
- Sunscreen and a hat – the wall has almost no shade except the towers. I got a terrible sunburn once.
- Water bottle – there are vending machines at each gate, but they charge double. Fill up before you go up.
- Cash – for bike rental deposit (100 CNY per bike, refundable). Also for snacks inside the wall.
- ID or passport – required for ticket purchase and bike rental.
Frequently Asked Questions about Xi'an City Wall Gates
Verified and fact-checked by the editorial team.
No comments yet.