On January 20, the 859-meter watercourse between Shangqin and Shangde Gates, dormant for over 70 years, reopened with flowing water, completing the 14.6-kilometer Xi'an City Wall Moat's full connection.

Pic from Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Through every era—from its origins in the late Tang Dynasty to its expansion in the early Ming Dynasty, and its refinement in the Qing Dynasty—the Xi'an City Wall Moat has flowed alongside the city, embodying centuries of urban wisdom and carrying the enduring legacy of Chang'an.

Pic from Xi'an Release

In the 1950s, this 859-meter stretch of the moat was covered over to accommodate the expansion of Xi'an Railway Station. Today, the Xi'an City Moat has been transformed from a"C-shaped" channel into a complete "O-shaped" loop, seamlessly linking the city wall, corner towers, and the surrounding parkland. This creates a harmonious "city-moat-forest-people" ecosystem, enhancing both the integrity and function of the ancient city's urban form.

The Xi'an City Wall Moat and Circular Park Renovation Project (Phase II – Xi'an Railway Station Section) is guided by a philosophy of "light intervention, micro-renewal," adopting a sustainable approach that minimizes impact on the daily travel of residents and tourists.

Pic from Xi'an City Wall

For many longtime residents of Xi'an, this area is filled with childhood memories—catching dragonflies, skipping stones across the water—an emotional landmark they have always held dear.

For residents near Xi'an Railway Station, the transformation brings an "immersive renewal" just outside their doorsteps. The once-hidden culvert has been opened into accessible waters and restored ecological zones. Even in winter, greenery thrives and the clear water ripples gently.

Pic from Xi'an Release

At the intersection of cultural tourism and public well-being, the Xi'an City Wall Moat has become both a global attraction and a hub for vibrant new waterfront economies—featuring boat tea ceremonies, night light tours, and creative markets. By enriching public life and stimulating local consumption, this renewal project transcends mere spatial transformation, demonstrating how revitalizing culture can enhance urban vitality and community well-being. 

Pic from Xi'an Release

The waters of the Xi'an City Wall Moat carry not only a thousand years of poetic imagery—"a stretch of emerald water winding around Chang'an"—but also a living connection between urban ecology and human life.