Built between 1370 to 1378 (the Hongwu Era of the Ming Dynasty), more than 600 years ago from now, the Xi'an circumvallation of the Ming Dynasty is the most completely reserved site of ancient circumvallation in our country. Its perimeter is 13.7 kilometers with earthen cities on each gate of the city, on which city towers and arrow towers were built.
The west gate is regarded as the jumping off point of the Silk Road, and in its earthen city, there is a big sweet water well excavating in the Kangxi Era, on which all people of the Xi'an city lived before they began to use the tap water. In order to let the visitors know more about the history of the Xi'an city, "Exhibition of the History of the Development of the Xi'an City" is held chronically inside the city tower. It shows people the historic flux of Xi'an of more than 3000 years with large numbers of pictures and characters. In addition, temporary exhibitions are held a periodically. "Zhong jun lei gu tai" (the platform for beating the military drum) was built beside the city tower, including a big drum, and exhibitions of all types of archaized instruments for defending the city.
"The Archaized Welcoming Ceremony to the Ancient City" is held inside the earthen city of the north gate. When the visitors enter the city, ranks of dagger holding knights in armatures will welcome them, light holding ladies-in-waiting will blaze a way, the civilian will present the gold key of the city and the customs declaration form. The visitors can enjoy the elegant manners of the culture of more than 1000 years ago by hearing the beautiful ancient music. The form of the ceremony is of very large scale, thus attracting thousands of guests from China and foreign countries.
City towers and arrow towers at the east gate have been repaired and are appearing new, and will be officially open by the end of this year.