Linhan Gate
The one original gate.
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An ancient fortified city on the south bank of the Han River, with water on three sides and hills on the fourth, called «Iron Xiangyang» and «China's first moated city», for its moat is 250 metres across at its widest; the wall has been a protected national monument since 2001. The first wall here rose around 201 BC, was faced with brick under the Song, and was enlarged in the early Ming to a circuit of 7.3 kilometres; most of what stands today is Ming work, brick over rammed earth, 8.5 metres high and five to fifteen metres thick. The city had six gates, of which only the small north gate, Linhan, is original, the rest rebuilt. Its resistance in wars became famous enough to make it the setting of Jin Yong's celebrated martial-arts novels. Visitors walk the walls above the broad moat and the Han River and visit the drum tower at the centre of the old city. The walls are free, the Zhaomingtai tower museum is free and closed on Mondays, and an evening boat on the Han costs CNY 30, per visitor guides.
The one original gate.
Among China's widest.
In the evening.
Old city, south bank of the Han River, Xiangyang, Hubei
Xiangyang is known for beef noodles at breakfast, and many noodle shops are run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign, while other restaurants may serve pork, so ask before ordering.