[photo: GMW.cn / Zhang Ning]

Xi'an, anciently called Chang'an, is the provincial capital of Shaanxi Province of China. It was authorized by the UNESCO as a world-famous historic city in 1981.With a history of more than 3100 years, Xi'an is one of the four Great Ancient Capital Cities together with Athens, Rome and Cairo.The ancient city of Xi'an is a miniature of Chinese history. It is said that "Xi'an is the place for one to learn the five thousand years history of China."

Erected during the Ming Dynasty (1638-1644), The City Wall of Xi'an is the world's largest and best-preserved ancient fortress. The rectangular city wall is 13.7 kilometers in circumference and has 5,984 crenels and 98 places for the garriosn troops to stay in. There is a gate in each of the four sides, and each gate consists of a main tower, an embrasured watchtower, a lock tower, and a compound. The city wall is surrounded by a moat and a ring road lined with trees and dotted with pavilions and kiosks to form the huge Around-the-City Park.

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