Xi'an Drum Tower & Bell Tower Travel Tips

Ancient Chinese people could count on the Bell Tower and Drum Tower to usher in and out their days. These early Ming Dynasty towers acted as ancient timepieces, with bells ringing at the start of the day and drums pounding at its conclusion. Since both towers are located within 200 meters of each other, it's easy to visit both and some of Xi'an's popular nearby attractions throughout the afternoon.
Learn about these treasured ancient structures, the best way to see them, and how to make the most of your time in the dazzling city of Xi'an.

Bell Tower at night

Essential Information for Visiting the Drum Tower and Bell Tower

The Bell Tower in Xi'an

The Drum Tower and Bell Tower are located close to the Xi'an City Wall, making them easy to visit on any historic tour of Xi'an. We can help you create a personalized itinerary that includes these treasured relics and other important structures and items of interest.

• Location: The Drum Tower is at 90 Beiguangji Street, near the South Gate of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Bell Tower is at 16 Huajue Lane. Both are in the Lianhu District and are easily accessible.
• Opening hours: Between January and October 10, the Drum Tower and Bell Tower are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., although tickets can only be purchased until 9:00 p.m. For both towers, you can only buy tickets until 9:00 p.m. From October 11 to the end of December, these attractions close earlier at 6:00 p.m. and stop selling tickets at 5:30 p.m.
• Entrance Ticket: Visit both the Drum and Bell Towers for a combination 50 RMB ticket or buy individual tickets for 35 RMB. Children under six get in free, and discounted tickets are available for students, minors, members of the military, people with disabilities, and seniors. Be sure to have proper identification to qualify for these discounts.

You no longer need a reservation to visit these towers, but it could save you some time waiting in line during the busy season. These attractions have online tickets available through Alipay and WeChat, or you can buy them on-site.

How to Get to the Drum Tower and Bell Tower

Beautiful Bell Tower at sunset

We are happy to arrange transportation for you in and around Xi'an, but public transit makes reaching the Drum and Bell Towers easy. Shuttles run regularly between the Xi'an Airport and the Bell Tower, and you can also take the subway to Zhonglou Station, which is close to the Bell Tower.

Several buses regularly run to Bell Tower North, South, East, and West Stations, which are very close to the attractions. These towers, which date back to 1380, are early examples of Ming Dynasty artistry and architecture. They give visitors a fantastic insight into ancient culture and an appreciation for what life was like for the residents of Xi'an.

What to Do in the Drum Tower and Bell Tower

The Drum Tower

The Drum Tower light up at night

The Bell Tower and Drum Tower were important timekeeping structures and are now artistic relics with intricate tilework and decorations. The Drum Tower houses drums from various parts of the world and different Chinese dynasties, plus a massive drum on the upper levels.

This drum is a recreation of the one played at the day's conclusion. The Drum Tower also has an impressive spiral staircase that visitors can climb, is full of emerald-green tilework and plaques, and is crowned with gold roof decoration. The Drum Tower is lovely when it's fully lit up at night.

The Bell Tower

Admire the Bell Tower

In ancient times, the Bell Tower signaled the start of the day. Today, it offers fabulous views and an excellent overview of Chinese treasures from the ages. You'll find paintings, beautifully carved woodwork, and a recreation of the Jingyun Bell, which used to wake up the people of Xi'an or issue warnings.

Like the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower is incredible at night and offers fantastic musical performances featuring bells and traditional Chinese instruments.

Muslim Quarter

Enjoy local food at Muslim Quarter

Located behind the Drum Tower, the Muslim Quarter is an excellent place to grab authentic local snacks and see Qing and Ming architecture. It's free to visit and a great place to get a bite to eat and relax before or after visiting the Bell Tower and Drum Tower.

Grand Gao's Mansion

A shadow puppet show at Grand Gao's Mansion

The former residence of Gao Yuesong, Grand Gao's Mansion, is a treasure from the Ming Dynasty. It's located right in the Muslim Quarter and is wonderfully preserved, with authentic furniture, art, and a shadow puppet show. Visitors can stroll through the vast north and south courts and visit many rooms inside the mansion. Costs vary for shadow puppet shows, Hua Yin Lao Qiang (traditional folk opera), and string puppet shows. Each show lasts about ten minutes.

Great Mosque

Great Mosque of Xi'an

The Great Mosque is the treasure of Xi'an's Muslim Quarter. It encompasses twenty different buildings and several courtyards and is a wonderful example of early Chinese Muslim architecture. Today, the Hui people still worship at the mosque, but tourists can visit during non-worship hours. Tickets cost 25 RMB.

Useful Travel Tips

Huge drums displayed at the Drum Tower

The best times to visit the Drum Tower and Bell Tower are the early morning to avoid the crowds and nighttime when the towers are lit up, and you can see gorgeous views from their upper levels. Plan to spend between half an hour and an hour in each tower, and then more time visiting the Muslim Quarter, Great Mosque, and Grand Gao's Mansion afterward.

You can get stunning photographs of the Bell Tower from the Kaiyuan Shopping Mall or photos of the Muslim Quarter night market from the upper levels of the Drum Tower. Since you'll be walking and climbing stairs, comfortable shoes and breathable clothing are absolute musts. You can also bring water with you.

Visit Icons of Ancient Xi'an Society

The Drum Tower and Bell Tower were a daily part of ancient Xi'an society and remain some of the most important and beautiful structures of the Ming Dynasty. At China Odyssey Tours, we can set up a customized tour to help you experience these towers and other relics in Xi'an. Email us at trip@odynovotours.com to start planning your dream vacation today.