Relatively few intact city walls are left in China, particularly when put in contrast to how many walled cities existed previously during China's dynastic periods. The Xi'an City Wall is immense and provides some of the best views of the city on a clear day. As you walk the city wall, you can spot some of the inscribed Silk Road associated pagodas that are icons of the city.

There are clear indications that a expanded nomination is well underway. This nomination came to our attention after a large update to China Tentative List in 2008. Doubling from 4 components to 8 in 2012 and then further expanded in 2015 from 8 to 13. In 2024, reports indicate 14 city walls! This collection is meant to represent various types of fortress architecture based on the size and function of the cities. I would welcome both the nomination and the chance to visit other representative fortress architecture in China, but having only visited Xi'an in 2006, I can hardly say I visited this serial nomination! 

Will more city walls join this nomination? I could be wrong, but it seems the participating cities in this project are now final. No exact date is provided for a nomination, except that it is in the pipeline.

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