OT Staff & Waquar Habib
Once the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, Xi’an retains its magnificent Ming-era walls stretching 14km. Its towers, gates, and ramparts offer a rare glimpse into China’s imperial military architecture.
The Pink City’s historic core is encircled by robust 18th-century fortification walls built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its grand gates and grid-planned streets reflect Rajput urban design at its peak.
Galle Fort showcases Dutch and Portuguese military engineering from the 16th–17th centuries. Thick ramparts, bastions, and cobblestone lanes create a remarkably preserved colonial-era fortified town.
Dali’s ancient Bai kingdom capital was once fully fortified, with sections of its restored walls and gates still standing. It remains known for its mountain backdrop, pagodas, and heritage architecture.
Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital, had defensive perimeters guarding monumental temples and imperial sites. While only fragments remain, its ancient planning and preserved shrines reflect its historic stature.
The last great capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom is surrounded by an 8m-high laterite wall. Its monumental gates and moats lead into grand avenues aligned with ancient cosmological beliefs.
Chiang Mai’s Old City is encircled by a square defensive wall and moat built in the 13th century. Surviving gates and bastions highlight Lanna Kingdom craftsmanship and strategic planning.
A Silk Road stronghold, Bukhara was once enclosed by a vast earthen wall. Today, its citadel, mosques, and madrassas evoke centuries of Persian-Islamic architecture and fortified urban life.