Bell Tower & Drum Tower, Xi’an, China
We stayed across the road in the Airbnb accommodation and had a great view of the both Tower. This Bell Tower & Drum Tower is impressive and beautiful during the day, where it is at the center of a traffic roundabout, surrounded by colorful flowers but at night, it is beautifully lit up.
The entrance to the Bell Tower & Drum Tower is through the underpass. You may get your combination entrance ticket (Bell Tower and Drum Tower).
Bell Tower (Day View)
Bell Tower (Night View)
The Bell Tower and the Drum Tower are located within walking distance of each other. There is a park near these two towers where beautiful flowers and plants grow.
The Bell Tower dates back to 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty when it was used to keep time during the day, while the nearby Drum Tower kept time at night. Both Towers light up like heaven and the picturesque is so postcard and gives good views of each other and the surrounding streets.
Magnificent Buildings and Starbucks
Along the path, there are many shops and stalls selling all kinds of merchandise and local delicacies. The surrounding areas are crowded with local shoppers and tourists.
Drum Tower
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are within easy walking distance to the Muslim quarters. You can get great food and souvenirs there. Remember to bargain. You can really get a good deal.
It’s enjoyable to wander and view the variety of drums. Inside the Drum Tower on the second floor, there is a drum museum with a variety of drums on display and some dating back thousands of years. It is really interesting to know that different drums and sounds from the drums are for different purposes. There is also a showcase of the old pictures of the drum tower, and the range of drums throughout the centuries and of different lands inside the drum tower.
On the upper level is the display of furniture of different made of wood. Admire the carvings and the screens, the displays, the lanterns. It is really amazing that any simple equipment can be made drum. Worth visiting especially for those who like drumming.
If you have time, go there twice. Once during the day and once at night and simply breath-taking.
Visiting information:
| Admission Fee | Drum Tower only: CNY 35 Bell Tower only: CNY 35 Joint ticket of Bell and Drum Tower: CNY 50 |
| Opening Hours | March 26-October 25: 08:30-21:00 (Ticket selling stops at 20:30.) October 26-next March 25: 08:30-18:00 (Ticket selling stops at 17:30.) |
| Drum Musical Performance Timetable | 09:30, 10:15, 11:00, 11:45, 14:00, 14:45, 15:30, 16:20 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit | One hour |
Note: Children under 1.4 m (4.6 ft) can enter for free when accompanied by an adult.
How to get to Bell Tower & Drum Tower
By Subway:
Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station. Get out from Exit B. Walk towards the west for around 6 minutes.- By Bus:
Take bus No. 7, 15, 32, 205, 215, 221, 222, 251, 252, 612, 618, or Tourist Line 8 (No. 610) and get off at Zhonglou Xi (Bell Tower West) Station.
For more information: https://www.thechinaguide.com/sight/bell-tower
