Xi’an Reimagined: Cycling the Ancient Walls and Exploring Modern Mural Arts

Think Xi’an is just about terracotta warriors and ancient history? Think again. While the Terracotta Army draws millions, there’s a fresher, funkier side of this 3,000-year-old city unfolding on two wheels and vibrant street corners. Welcome to modern Xi’an—where dynastic walls meet spray paint, and tradition dances with urban creativity.

Cycle the Ming Dynasty Wall: A Ride Through Time

The 14-kilometer-long Xi’an City Wall, built during the Ming Dynasty, isn’t just China’s best-preserved ancient fortification—it’s also one of the world’s longest. But today, it’s not just for history buffs. Locals zip around on bikes, couples share tandem rides, and tourists cruise past watchtowers like time-traveling explorers.

Rent a bike (from ¥45/day) at any of the four main gates—South Gate is most scenic—and feel the breeze as you pedal over 600-year-old bricks. The wall stands 12 meters high and offers panoramic views of both old courtyards and glass-clad skyscrapers.

Street Art Revolution: Murals Where History Meets Hip-Hop

Off the wall and into the alleys, Xi’an’s underground art scene is exploding. Hidden in neighborhoods like Saizi and near Xianyang Road Metro Station, massive murals blend Tang poetry motifs with graffiti dragons, cyberpunk qipaos, and portraits of Li Bai reimagined as a DJ.

Local collectives like Wall Republic and Chang’an Spray have turned blank concrete into open-air galleries. One standout piece—a 30-meter phoenix rising from pixelated ruins—symbolizes Xi’an’s rebirth as a cultural hybrid.

Don’t miss the mural alley behind Daxuexi Alley Mosque, where calligraphy flows into abstract geometry. It’s Instagram gold, but more importantly, it’s proof that heritage doesn’t have to be frozen in time.

Why This Combo Works

Cycling the wall gives you scale and serenity; exploring street art delivers pulse and personality. Together, they offer a dual portrait: one of endurance, the other of evolution. And honestly? There’s something poetic about riding past battlements while spotting a panda wearing sunglasses in a neon-lit alley below.

So skip the crowded museum queues once in a while. Strap on a helmet, grab your camera, and see Xi’an not as a relic—but as a living canvas.