Bell Tower & Drum Tower (钟楼 & 鼓楼)
Xi'an's Iconic Twin Towers at the Heart of the City
You can't miss the Bell Tower — it sits right in the center of Xi'an, traffic circling around it like a slow-motion whirlpool. But I nearly did miss it, in a different sense: I walked past it for three days before I finally decided to climb it. "It's just a tower," I thought. "How interesting can it be?" Pretty interesting, as it turns out.
The Bell Tower (钟楼) was built in 1384, during the Ming Dynasty. It held a massive iron bell that rang at dawn to signal the start of the day. Its partner, the Drum Tower (鼓楼), sits 200 meters to the west and held 24 drums that beat at dusk. For 600 years, these two towers set the rhythm of Xi'an — dawn bell, dusk drum, day after day. Standing on the Bell Tower's upper level at sunset, watching the four main streets radiate outward in perfect symmetry, I finally understood why the city is laid out the way it is. Everything is centered on this point.
I did the combo on a clear evening in late April 2024. The light was golden, the city sprawled in every direction, and from up there you can see the City Wall, the Drum Tower, the tops of the Muslim Quarter's roofs — it's the best vantage point in Xi'an.
What You'll See
- Bell Tower: Climb to the upper level for 360-degree views. The tower also has a set of Ming Dynasty bells on display and hosts traditional instrument performances throughout the day.
- Drum Tower: Houses 24 ceremonial drums and a "drum culture" exhibition. There's a drum performance — a bit touristy, but the sound of 24 drums in a wooden hall is genuinely impressive.
- Combo ticket: ~¥50 for both towers — cheaper than buying separately. Worth it.
Access & Tickets
Metro: Line 2 or 6 to Zhonglou Station (钟楼站). The Bell Tower exit drops you right at its base.
Hours: 8:30 AM - 9:30 PM (summer), 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (winter).
How to Make the Most of It
- Best time: Late afternoon. Climb the Bell Tower around 4:30-5 PM for sunset views. The light hits the old rooftops perfectly. Then walk to the Drum Tower before it closes, and watch both towers light up after dark.
- Muslim Quarter is right behind the Drum Tower. Perfect combo — towers, then dinner in the quarter.
- City Wall South Gate is a 5-minute walk south. If you've got energy, do the wall walk too.
- Don't bother with both interiors if you're short on time. The view from the Bell Tower is the real draw. The Drum Tower's main appeal is the drum show — skip it if you're on a tight schedule.
- The photo from the Bell Tower at night — with the traffic light trails circling the base — is the iconic Xi'an shot. Bring a tripod or brace your phone on the railing.