The Xi’an City Wall in Shaanxi, China, is one of the largest and best-preserved ancient fortifications in the country.

In recent years, the city wall has developed a unique preventive protection system that incorporates vibrant cultural and thematic activities, effectively promoting a deep integration of culture and tourism. As night falls, the Yongning Gate of the Xi’an City Wall shines brightly, hosting a nightly welcome ceremony themed “Tang Dynasty Hospitality.” Visitors experience a moving city entrance greeting, allowing them to appreciate Xi’an’s rich cultural heritage.

**Interviewer:** What motivated you to visit the Xi’an City Wall?

**Gao Dongchen, Tourist from Tianjin:** The city wall was our first stop in Xi’an. Upon arriving, I was immediately struck by its grandeur and the profound sense of history that surrounds it.

The Xi’an City Wall stretches for 13.74 kilometers in the heart of Xi’an and dates back over 1,400 years to the Sui Dynasty. During the recent National Day holiday, the wall hosted intangible cultural heritage exhibitions and Tang dynasty cultural interactions, welcoming approximately 278,000 visitors.

**Interviewer:** Can you tell us about the efforts being made to promote the city wall on a global scale?

**Zhu Yuan, Cultural and Tourism Development Department Staff Member at Xi’an City Wall Management Committee:** We initiated the International Alliance of Ancient City Walls to showcase the historical characteristics and cultural connotations of the Xi’an City Wall to the world through diverse cultural forms, allowing visitors to engage closely with a millennia-old civilization.

Outside the city wall, a driverless cleaning boat conducts daily inspections in the moat. This innovative vessel not only automatically clears debris from the water surface but also transmits real-time water quality metrics to a digital management platform located hundreds of meters away. Given the wall’s earthen structure, monitoring the water quality and levels in the moat is critical for the wall’s preservation.

**Interviewer:** How does technology play a role in maintaining the city wall?

**Zhao Bin, Director of the Digital Industry Innovation Center of Xi’an City Wall:** The platform we have enables us to collect real-time data every day, which includes information on cracks, displacement, settlement, and moisture levels related to the wall’s condition.

Each morning at the City Wall’s foot, members of the Qingfeng Choir gather for their practice sessions. Most of them are “Old Xi’an” residents who have witnessed changes in the surroundings of the wall over the years.

**Interviewer:** How do you feel about the improvements in the environment around the wall?

**Li Rongrang, Xi’an Citizen:** The moat has become more beautiful over time. The environment keeps getting better, and singing in the park puts everyone in a great mood.

Since 2003, major renovations of the Xi’an moat have occurred in segments, including dredging the river, reinforcing the banks, and clearing obstacles. These enhancements have transformed it into a scenic urban park, providing a free cultural and recreational space for local citizens.

**Interviewer:** What are the future plans regarding the moat and the wall’s preservation?

**Jia Haitao, Head of the Cultural and Tourism Development Department of the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee:** We are committed to a comprehensive restoration and management of the moat’s water body, improving its overall health. The greenery within the ring park has reached 1.045 million square meters, with over 2,000 square meters of aquatic plants planted.

**Interviewer:** How will you continue to preserve this historical site?

**Wu Chun, Deputy Director of the Xi’an City Wall Management Committee:** Looking ahead, we will uphold the principles of cultural heritage preservation and actively explore new pathways for revitalizing and utilizing these treasures in the modern era.