The city wall of Xi’an was initially built during the early years of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) under the orders of the founding emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang. At the time, Xi’an was one of the most important cities in China, serving as the capital of several dynasties throughout Chinese history, including the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC).
Zhu Yuanzhang, also known as Hongwu Emperor, was the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty and is credited with the construction of the Xi’an city wall. After overthrowing the previous dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), Zhu Yuanzhang embarked on a series of public works projects, including the construction of the city wall of Xi’an, which he saw as a way to protect the city from external threats and consolidate his power.
The construction of the city wall took around eight years to complete and was carried out under the supervision of general Feng Sheng. The wall is built with rammed earth and was initially over 12 meters high, with a width of 15-18 meters at the base and 12-14 meters at the top. Over the centuries, the wall has undergone several repairs and renovations, but much of the original structure remains intact.
In conclusion, Zhu Yuanzhang was the emperor who ordered the construction of the wall. The wall was built as a defensive measure to protect the city of Xi’an, which was an important center of trade and commerce in medieval China. Today, the wall serves as a reminder of the ingenuity and engineering skills of the people who built it, as well as the rich cultural heritage of Xi’an and China as a whole.