Chinapedia | Bell Tower and Drum Tower of Xi'an

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are the symbol of Xi'an. Standing at the heart of the city, the Bell Tower is over 600 years old while the Drum Tower is the largest existing drum tower in China. These two towers are only five minute's walk-distance apart from each other. 

Bell Tower

The Bell Tower of Xi'an was built in the 17th year of Hongwu (also known as Zhu Yuanzhang) in the Ming Dynasty (1384). The main body of the Bell Tower is three-storeyed with a pyramidal roof and represents a typical architectural style of the Ming Dynasty.

The Bell Tower of Xi'an was mainly used for time reporting and providing early warning of attacks by rival rulers in ancient times. With the progress of the times, its traditional functions have been gradually phased out, and now it is open to the public as a national-level cultural relics protection unit for tourism and sightseeing. Visitors can purchase tickets to visit the building.

Drum Tower

The Drum Tower of Xi'an was erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty. Like its name, the first floor of the Drum Tower lies a hall that hangs many large drums. Different from the Bell Tower, where the bell was stricken at dawn, the drum was beaten at sunset to indicate the end of the day. The Drum Tower's two-story wooden structure is crowned with a double-eaved, hip-style roof. This is the design reserved for the many prestigious buildings in ancient China, such as the buildings inside the Forbidden City

Besides the drum museum, there are chime performances inside the Drum Tower. Tourists can also enjoy a panoramic view of the city at the top of the tower.

(English editor: Ella Qu)

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