Xi’an Yongning Gate Watchtower

Among all the city gates of Xi’an City Wall, the South Gate is the oldest one with the longest history. Built in the early period of Sui Dynasty, the South Gate used to be a gate on the east among the three city gates on the south side of the royal city, thus called Anshang Gate. During the Ming Dynasty, it was changed to Yongning Gate. Since it was located on the south of the city, people in Xi’an called it “South Gate.” Every gate of the city wall has three layers of gate towers: a side tower, a watchtower, and a front tower. The side tower is on the outside, the watchtower in the middle, and the front tower inside. Between the watchtower and the front tower lies a barbican entrance to the city.

The South Gate Watchtower was originally built in the early period of Ming Dynasty. It used to be an integral part of the ancient city defense construction system of Xi’an City Wall, which consists of “gate tower, watchtower, and sluice gate tower.” In 1926, it was destroyed during the war. On May 1, 2014, after reconstruction, the South Gate Watchtower of Xi’an City Wall was formally open to visitors. Visitors from all over the world come to Xi’an to truly experience the beauty and charm of the gate.

TIPS

1.Basic info

Address: Huancheng South Road，Beilin District, Xi’an

Ticket：CNY 54  half price for students (high school or under)

Opening time: 8:00-22:00

2.Transportation

By bus:

Take bus No.11, 12, 16, 23, 26, 29, 31, 35, 36, 40, 46, 203, 204, 208, 213, 215 and get off at Nanmen Station.

By subway:

Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Yongningmen Station.

By taxi:

It costs about CNY 11 from the Xi’an Railway Station to this scenic area.