The south gate
With its three walls.
E2568 — CC0 · Windmemories — CC BY-SA 4.0 · E2568 — CC0 · David Chen (Iamdavidtheking 12:22, 9 September 2007 (UTC)) — CC BY 3.0 · Windmemories — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zhangzhugang — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zhangzhugang — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Siyuwj — CC BY-SA 4.0
The wall of the old town of Zhengding north of Shijiazhuang, which began as a military fort in the fourth century, was built in stone in 578 and enlarged in 762 under the Tang, then rebuilt as an earthen wall in 1449 under the Ming and faced with brick between 1571 and 1576, taking the shape it keeps today. The wall had four gates, each guarded by three walls in a row: the inner city wall, a fortified barbican and a crescent-shaped outer wall, a layout rare in China; the best known is the south gate, Changle, restored with its towers and walls, where visitors climb onto the wall for views over the old town and its towers. Entry to the south gate is free, Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30 am to 5 pm, closed on Mondays, per visitor guides.
With its three walls.
Views over the town.
And its historic towers.
South Gate, Zhengding old town, north of Shijiazhuang
The old town lies just north of the city and is a short taxi or bus ride away; half a day is enough for the wall and the town.