Bell Tower & Drum Tower: The Heart of Old Xi’an
Two Ming Dynasty towers at the absolute center of Xi’an. Climb up for city views, catch the drum performance, and use them as your starting point to the Muslim Quarter.
Written by Li Wei
History & Culture Writer · Xi'an since 2019
Li Wei has lived in Xi'an since 2019 and has visited every major museum and historical site in Shaanxi province at least three times. He spends his weekends exploring forgotten Tang dynasty ruins and reading Ming-era city maps. Before writing travel guides, he worked as a research assistant at the Shaanxi History Museum.
Opening Hours
8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Apr-Oct. 8:30–6:00 PM Nov-Mar
Ticket Price
$7 (combo)
$4 per tower individually
Drum Show
Daily
9:30, 10:15, 11:00 AM + afternoon
Time Needed
1–1.5 hours
Both towers + square
Best Time
Dusk
When the red lanterns turn on
Location
City Center
Metro Line 2, Zhonglou Station
Why the Bell & Drum Towers Matter
The Bell Tower (钟楼) and Drum Tower (鼓楼) mark the absolute center of Xi’an’s old city. Built during the Ming Dynasty in 1384, all roads inside the city wall radiate from this point. For 600 years, the bell was rung at dawn and the drums at dusk to mark time for the city.
The Bell Tower is the larger structure — a three-story wooden tower with green-glazed tile roofs and intricate dougong brackets. Climb to the top for a 360-degree view of the four main streets radiating outward in perfect symmetry.
The Drum Tower sits just northwest, at the entrance to the Muslim Quarter. Inside is a collection of ancient drums and live drum performances several times daily. The southern facade makes for the best photos.
History: Xi'an's Ancient Timekeepers
For over 500 years, the Bell and Drum Towers were Xi'an's public timekeeping system. The great iron bell in the Bell Tower was struck at dawn to mark the start of the day — its sound reportedly carried for 5 kilometers across the city. The 24 drums in the Drum Tower (one for each period of the traditional Chinese day) were beaten at dusk to signal nightfall. This bell-at-dawn, drum-at-dusk system was how an entire city knew the time before clocks.
The Bell Tower sits at the exact geographic center of Xi'an's old city, where the four main avenues (North, South, East, West Streets) converge. It was moved here from its original location near the Drum Tower in 1582 — an extraordinary engineering feat for the Ming Dynasty, involving the disassembly and reconstruction of the entire 6,500-ton structure. The tower stands 36 meters tall on a brick platform, with three layers of green-glazed tile roofs.
Insider Tips
Buy the combo ticket ($7). Saves $1.5 vs. buying separately. About 30 min at each tower plus time on the square between them.
Drum Tower first, Bell Tower second. Exit the Bell Tower perfectly positioned to walk north into the Muslim Quarter for dinner. Most efficient route.
Dusk is golden hour. Visit around 5:30 PM. Climb the Bell Tower to watch day turn to night. When red lanterns turn on around 7 PM, the view is magical.
Use the underground passage. You cannot cross at street level near the Bell Tower. Follow signs for 钟楼 (Zhonglou) in the underground pedestrian tunnel.
Nearby
Directly behind the Drum Tower. Go after the drum show for dinner.
Best gate to enter for cycling. Walk south along the main avenue.
Hidden in the Muslim Quarter. One of China’s oldest mosques.
Related Attractions
Pair these with your visit for the best itineraries.
FAQ
Should I visit both towers or just one?
The combo ticket ($7) is good value. The Bell Tower has better views, the Drum Tower has the performance. If time is tight, choose the Bell Tower — the view of four avenues radiating outward is iconic Xi’an.
When are the drum performances?
Daily at 9:30 AM, 10:15 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:30 PM. Each is about 10 minutes. Afternoon shows are less crowded.
Best Photo Spots Around the Towers
Bell Tower in the Roundabout
The iconic shot. From the pedestrian underpass on the east side of the Bell Tower roundabout, you get the tower framed against modern skyscrapers. Best at blue hour (30 min after sunset).
Drum Tower from Beiyuanmen
Stand on Beiyuanmen Street looking south. The Drum Tower fills the frame with the Muslim Quarter lanterns on either side. Best at night when the red lanterns are lit.
Panorama from the Bell Tower Balcony
The upper balcony of the Bell Tower gives you 360-degree views of the four main streets radiating outward. Use a wide-angle lens (16-24mm). Best 1 hour before sunset for golden light on the Drum Tower to the west.