Standing like a miniature Píngyáo (albeit less polluted or glossy…in a good way), the walled city dates back to 1430 and is the principal reason to visit Xīngchéng. Modern Xīngchéng has grown up around it, but the Old City still home to around 3000 people.
You can enter by any of the four gates, but the easiest one to find is the south gate (南门; nánmén), which is just off Xinghai Lu Er Duan. There are signs in English and Chinese pointing the way.
In addition to the City Walls , the Drum Tower , which sits slap in the middle of the Old City, and the watchtower on the southeastern corner of the city are all intact. You can do a complete circuit of the walls in around an hour.
Also inside the Old City is the Gao House , the former residence of General Gao Rulian, who was one of Xīngchéng’s most famous sons. The impressive and well-maintained Confucius Temple , built in 1430, is reputedly the oldest temple in northeastern China. If you plan on seeing everything, buy the ¥100 pass that grants admission to every paid sight within the walled town.
