Xi’an City Wall Tour Review: Is the Cycling Option Worth It?

So, you are thinking of taking a tour of Xi’an City Wall? Good choice. It’s almost one of the must-see attractions when you visit this amazing, history-packed city in China. You, like your potential visit, may be wondering if adding the cycling part is a good shout. Well, I’ve done it, so I will spill the beans on everything, sharing if I feel that this particular adventure is really up to scratch, and assist in making your travel planning that bit simpler.

First Impressions: Getting Ready for the Wall

Okay, first off, the Xi’an City Wall. It’s seriously impressive. As a matter of fact, it’s a totally gigantic, ancient structure, still standing firm after all these centuries. Entering feels a bit, almost like stepping back in time, and that is definitely a buzz to be getting as you come onto it. Before going on your merry way, you may want to know about tickets and entry points. I mean, you need a ticket to get up there, and there happens to be a handful of different gates where you are able to gain access, each giving a very slightly varied vibe and access points to different bits of the city itself.

For instance, the South Gate (Yongning Gate) is typically where most folks head, and it can get somewhat busy. However, that does give it quite a buzzy vibe and you might see some cultural shows happening there depending when it is you’re paying a visit. That aside, you are able to consider the East, West, or North Gates as potential jump-off points if you want something maybe that is a little more subdued; anyway they each have their own charm too, so just be certain you check those options. The ticket itself can be obtained at the gate or even booked online in advance, that just tends to depend if you prefer something planned, or that feeling of winging it and going with whatever comes.

The Guided Tour Aspect

Basically, I chose to go with a tour. Now, this actually may or may not be up your street, yet getting a local guide can honestly enrich the adventure. Like your favourite subject, they do, they bring the history alive, revealing tons of interesting tales and some facts regarding the wall’s origin, construction, and its general meaning through time. Your guide can, sort of, tell stories about the emperors, the battles, and the common folk who lived alongside it, so actually, offering a richer experience than just going solo. A bit, as in a smaller dose, like your average person probably would get without one.

You may wish to check that the tour is in your tongue of preference. Some tours stick purely to Mandarin, yet others are offered in various languages, so it pays dividends to have a quick peek at the options as that will massively change how much of a benefit is yielded. Something that you are very likely to learn will be the length, that you are dealing with some serious distance here, that gives real substance when thinking whether you are planning to bike. This solid piece of context could easily be a decision breaker when thinking about those logistics.

Cycling on the City Wall: What to Expect

So, let’s chat cycling. I will be completely honest, I was just a little bit doubtful before starting out, so that is completely natural I hope, but it actually was the correct way to peep the wall. Honestly, walking the entire circumference of the wall, so doing all of it, can take a number of hours (we are talking four hours plus), yet with a bike, you could cut this down hugely, basically to somewhere around two hours, give or take the amount you wish to stop.

The wall itself is wide and very flat, really a breeze to cycle. There can sometimes be crowds, you know, particularly at the main gates, that said even then it feels safe. Bike rental is pretty straight forward near pretty much all of the entrances; so it is almost impossible to not locate a place, therefore do not panic too much with pre-booking a ride. Something you may want to bear in mind is that you cannot dismount everywhere; similarly to if there are busy areas, for the wellbeing of all pedestrians, they do not allow for two wheels in some zones. This seems really well monitored by wall officials. To be fair, those dismount sections are usually fleeting and do not effect the biking experience overly much.

Do not forget to check the bike before agreeing, very particularly the brakes! Really, ensure you adjust the seat for maximum comfort and that you get given a bell just in case. Most rental stores will request some type of deposit (do not worry too much, this will happen for almost everything) or want to take a photocopy of your passport as collateral. Again, really common so it would be very surprising if they did not. It is really something that happens for everything in the China, so be prepared. Like your usual holiday preparation, bear this in mind so that you can have confidence if it does happen, yet equally remember it just in case!

Views and Photo Opportunities

The views you get from the wall, it could be argued, are totally gorgeous. That is obvious to be fair, as you get like your very own birds-eye glimpse of the entire city, so make sure you go with the phone fully charged. That is applicable whatever part of the wall you’re visiting, that I can state. It provides for a great backdrop to take those memories; by the way the mixture of modern city blended with the historic architecture of the wall results in some absolutely great shots.

Along your tour, expect some photo opportunities; it’s almost impossible to miss those moments to click a shot. Now this is the spot where it is possible for your guide to really step up and offer recommendations on all of those ‘insta-worthy’ positions and can offer snippets to take more inventive photos if that floats your boat. If you choose a quieter part of day to have your two-wheeled adventure then it means you would feel less silly and crowded when shooting photos and movies.

Is the Cycling Tour Worth It?

Alright, now we are arriving to the million-dollar issue; so it has likely been building. Is the cycling option of the Xi’an City Wall tour a valuable thing to spend your time and cash on? My answer leans in favour of ‘absolutely yes’, it really is. The experience has the possibility to inject such another level of excitement and means you are able to take advantage of the length of this structure; by the way it offers something more engaging than purely walking. The biking provides you with the capability to get the most out of all of the key areas and sights on this attraction.

If you’re somewhat pushed for time, like most folks are when attempting to see another country, then biking is really practical. You’re able to get a thorough gist of the wall within a shorter timeframe than by walking, offering additional hours to use elsewhere for other must do’s, so saving time. Now should you happen to not be at ease cycling or are with others who aren’t, then taking it slower is perfectly OK. Like your personal taste, if you aren’t confident then don’t do it! The guided walk delivers just as much information and the slower tempo might offer an appreciation of those smaller specifics along your visit. Or as well as all the other benefits it’ll provide opportunities for rests which are needed to take it all in.

Extra Things to Remember

One or two things to quickly throw in, that some forget to bring up. Really take note, as those final checks will make all the difference, too it’s almost similar to anything that needs advance prep work.

• Weather: Watch the forecast just before you arrive at Xi’an. Honestly, the wall tends to be incredibly exposed, thus when it is hotter then it feels even hotter; conversely if it is cold then the breeze tends to make it bitter. Don suitable apparel.
• Sun Protection: Don’t forget the sun lotion, cap, and sunglasses no matter if it is very cloudy! That sun almost will break through and catch even the fairest of skins off guard.
• Water: Pack lots and keep yourself well watered as it can be a dehydrating job should it be at a peak time. Lots of sellers dot about on the route in case you happen to exhaust stocks or are bad at preparation, by the way this usually ends up with some inflated prices.
• Comfortable Shoes: Regardless whether walking or riding, comfy shoes makes an immense impact for your wall adventure. Honestly avoid those stylish boots that don’t breath.

I reckon that this guidance has delivered that helping hand so that the adventure can run with that extra ounce of slickness and forethought. You, like other travelers, need to arm themselves before jumping into another setting for all that uncertainty to fade!