Xi'an Bell Tower

Xi'an Bell Tower is one of China's largest and best-preserved bell towers, originally built in the 17th year of the Hongwu era during the Ming Dynasty (1384 AD). Located at the heart of Xi'an, this iconic landmark serves as the central point from which four major streets radiate east, south, west, and north, each connecting to the corresponding gates of Xi'an's ancient city walls. Xi'an's Drum Tower was originally located on Guangji Street in the west. As the city center shifted eastward, during the 10th year of Emperor Shenzong's Wanli era in the Ming Dynasty (1582), the Bell Tower was relocated to its current position east of the Drum Tower. The Bell Tower showcases a typical Ming Dynasty architectural style, featuring a square brick-and-stone base at the bottom and a triple-eaved pyramidal roof structure at the top, covered with dark green glazed tiles and gilded with real gold foil. Each side of the base has a central arched gateway approximately 6 meters high, which originally interconnected to serve as passageways for the intersection of East, South, West, and North Streets, allowing pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Today, the gateways are sealed off, with a traffic roundabout built around the tower and an underground pedestrian passageway for public use. The entrance to the Bell Tower is inside this underground passage, with a spiral staircase leading up. Inside the tower, there is a replica of the "Jingyun Bell." The original was cast in the second year of Emperor Ruizong of Tang's Jingyun era (711 AD) and is now housed in the Xi'an Beilin Museum. Standing atop the Bell Tower, you can see the four main streets extending east, south, west, and north. Surrounding the tower lies Xi'an's bustling commercial district, with the Drum Tower nearby. Visitors can enjoy wonderful ancient-style performances while visiting the Bell Tower, with 6 daily shows. Check the official website for specific performance times. Between the Bell Tower and Drum Tower lies the Bell and Drum Tower Square, featuring a musical fountain.