The moat

Datong city wall has beared significant strategic importance since ancient times, particularly since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Therefore, countries at that time took the city defense construction very seriously. The city’s military history specifically includes a history of city defense.

The city wall was built as a clay building at the Northern Wei (386-534). Its layout has changed during four dynasties of Tang, Liao, Jin, Yuan, and finally settled to what it is seen today in the Ming Dynasty.

During the fifth year of Hongwu (1368-1398), General Xu Da enlarged the clay wall, covering an area of 2.63 square kilometers.

It is tall and majestic, solid and steep. The base was made from stone strips, slates and blue bricks. Materials were classified by size, which were selected and used according to different parts.

The wall is 14 meters high and 16.6 meters at its widest point. Outside the four main gates are bulwarks, and beyond them stand an arc-shaped defense wall. Above are watchtowers there are 580-plus buttresses around the wall, representing the number of villages under the jurisdiction of Datong. On the wall are 62 majestic gatehouses, turrets and watchtowers.