Xi'an officials under fire for hollowing out ancient city wall to build office space

Starting in August 2014, authorities in Shaanxi capital Xi'an have been hollowing out a section of the imperial capital's ancient city walls, installing four floors of offices as well as a restaurant, lobby and "activity center in the section around Chaoyang Gate.

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The work was carried out at the behest of the Xi'an City Wall Scenic Area Management Committee; but despite all the official involvement, the Bureau of Cultural Relics is insisting they had "no idea whatsoever" that the the wall, a UNESCO World Heritage List candidate and national historic site site supposedly under protection of the State Council, was being irreparably damaged. 

After 1949, China experienced a frenzy of city wall destruction that saw Chairman Mao personally intervening to override local leaders and top architects to demand the demolition of Beijing's historic fortifications. Despite starting with hundreds of walled cities in the first half of the twentieth century, all a small handful remain today - and of these, Xi'an's are the last intact example to stand guard a major city. 

[Images via Oriental Daily, Sound of Hope]

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