China
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Xi'an City Wall
A view of one of the gates of the fortifications of Xi'an, an ancient capital of China. The wall is one of the oldest and best preserved Chinese city walls. Construction of the first city wall began in 194 BCE and lasted for four years. The existing wall was started by the Ming Dynasty in 1370, and is 13.7 kilometres (8.5 mi) in circumference, 12 metres (39 ft) in height, and 15–18 metres (49–59 ft) in thickness at the base. (Douglas Engle/Australfoto)
