The city wall scenic spot of the ancient city of Pingyao closes on China's National Tourism Day, which falls on May 19, to ensure safety of tourists and protect the wall.

"The ancient city of Pingyao experienced continuous rainfall since the summer began this year, weakening the rammed earth interior wall and making it unable to bear too many tourists," said Song Richen, head of the cultural relic conservation department of the Pingyao Ancient City Conservation and Management Committee.

Hou Shijun, head of the Pingyao Tourism Bureau, said if too many people were on the city wall on national tourism day it would be dangerous for both them and the wall itself.

The age-old Pingyao ancient city wall has some safety hazards which have not been solved because of complex changes in the wall's interior structure. Part of the interior wall suddenly collapsed in the rainy season several years ago.

Local conservation staff are checking the ancient city's hidden dangers and renovation work.

The ancient city wall constitutes an important part of the ancient city of Pingyao, a world cultural heritage listing. It was built during the reign of King Xuan of the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century -771 BC) and was expanded to its current scale through reconstruction, extension, and addition over dynasties since the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty.

City wall of the ancient city of Pingyao, in Jinzhong city of Shanxi province [Photo/Xinhua]