Zhenyuan's city walls are Ming and Qing construction, built around a town that existed primarily as a military checkpoint on the road southwest into the frontier. Substantial sections survive along the north bank of the Wuyang River, and the upper sections afford views across the rooftiles of the old town, down to the river, and across to the Qinglongdong complex on the opposite cliff. The walls connect several watchtowers, some of which can be climbed for panoramic views of the gorge.
Walking the walls takes about an hour and gives a different perspective on the town's topography than the riverside path below. The combination of stone ramparts, overhanging karst cliffs, and wooden riverside houses below creates a layered scene that rewards time spent at the top rather than rushing through. The wall circuit starts near the Zhusheng Bridge and the route is well-signed.