Hello, I’m Mike Wang, a China travel expert with over 20 years of experience. During these two decades, I’ve traveled extensively around the world. This guide takes you through Xi’an Bell Tower, a iconic ancient time-telling structure in China, at Xi’an’s city center. I’ll share its 600-year Ming Dynasty history, views of nearby streets, and travel tips to help you plan a nice visit.
Introduction
Xi’an Bell Tower, one of the largest and best-preserved bell towers in China, sits right at the heart of Xi’an—at the cross of four main streets inside the ancient Ming City Wall. This spot makes it easy to find during your trip to Xi’an, and it’s a key landmark for any travel guide to the city. With a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty (built in 1384 AD), it wasn’t always here. At first, it stood at Guangji Street’s intersection, facing the Drum Tower. Then in 1582 AD, it was moved to its current location, where it has stood for over 400 years.
The tower is a classic example of ancient Chinese brick-and-wood architecture, with three levels and sloping corner roofs. It’s 36 meters tall and covers 1,377 square meters—big enough to let you walk around and enjoy views of the surrounding.
Tickets & Opening Hours
Opening Hours
Regular Season (March 1st – November 30th): 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM (last entry at 9:30 PM)
Off-Season (December 1st – February 28th/29th): 8:30 AM – 8:00 PM (last entry at 7:30 PM)
Note: The opening hours may change slightly during major Chinese holidays (like Spring Festival or National Day). It’s best to check the official WeChat account (search “Xi’an Bell and Drum Tower Museum”) for updates before your visit.
Ticket Information
Adult Ticket: 35 RMB per person (in China, the currency is Renminbi, abbreviated as RMB)
Discount Tickets:
Children between 1.2m – 1.4m (3.9ft – 4.6ft): 17 RMB per person
Students (with valid student ID, including international students studying in China): 17 RMB per person
Children under 1.2m: Free
Seniors over 65 years old (with valid ID): Free
Payment Methods
On-Site Purchase: You can buy tickets at the ticket windows near the Bell Tower. Accepted payments include cash (RMB only), Alipay, and WeChat Pay (these two are the most common mobile payment methods in China; make sure your app is linked to a valid payment source).
Online Booking: You can book tickets in advance through platforms like the official WeChat mini-program of “Xi’an Bell and Drum Tower Museum” or third-party travel apps (e.g., Ctrip, Fliggy). For online booking, you’ll need to provide your passport number (for foreigners) and pay via Alipay, WeChat Pay, or international credit cards (some platforms support Visa/Mastercard).
Main Scenic Areas & Attractions
The Xi’an Bell Tower is a single, well-preserved ancient building, but its interior and surrounding areas have key spots to explore:
The Ancient Bell
The original bell of the Bell Tower was lost over time. The current bell on display is a replica of the Ming Dynasty bell, but it still follows the original design. In ancient China, bells like this were made of bronze and had strict sizes—they needed to produce a clear, loud sound that could be heard across the city. The bell was rung at 7 AM every day (called “Morning Bell”) to signal the start of the day’s activities, such as opening the city gates.
The Surrounding Square
The square around the Bell Tower was built in the 1990s to protect the tower and create a visitor-friendly area. Before that, the area was a busy road, and the Bell Tower was surrounded by traffic. Now, the square has green plants, stone paths, and statues of ancient Chinese figures (related to Xi’an’s history).
Transportation
Xi’an is a big city in China, but the Bell Tower is in the city center, so it’s easy to reach by public transport or taxi:
🚇Subway (Most Convenient): Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Bell Tower Station (Exit A or B). The station is only a 2-minute walk from the Bell Tower’s entrance.
🚌Bus: Many bus routes stop near the Bell Tower. The main bus stops are Bell Tower East Station, Bell Tower West Station, and Bell Tower South Station.
🚕Taxi/Didi (Ride-Hailing App): Taxis in Xi’an are red or green. You can flag one down on the street, but make sure the meter is turned on (the starting fare is 8 RMB for the first 3 kilometers, then 2 RMB per additional kilometer). It’s helpful to show the driver a photo of “Xi’an Bell Tower” (in Chinese: 西安钟楼) if you don’t speak Chinese. Didi is the most popular ride-hailing app in China (similar to Uber). You can download the Didi app, register with your phone number, and enter “Xi’an Bell Tower” as the destination. You can pay with Alipay, WeChat Pay, or credit card.
Experience & Activities
Bell-Ringing Experience
This is a popular interactive activity where you can ring a small replica of the ancient bell (the original bell is not for ringing). It’s a way to experience the traditional “Morning Bell” culture of ancient China.
Cost: 10 RMB per person (paid on-site; no advance booking needed).
Night View & Lighting Show
Every night (7 PM – 11 PM), the Bell Tower is lit up with warm lights, making it look very beautiful. There’s no formal “show,” but the lighting creates a romantic atmosphere—great for photos.
Cost: Free (you don’t need to buy a ticket for the square; only the tower itself requires a ticket).
Combined Visit with Drum Tower
The Xi’an Drum Tower is right next to the Bell Tower (500 meters away). In ancient China, the Bell Tower was for morning bells, and the Drum Tower was for evening drums—together, they were called “Bell and Drum Towers” and were the city’s timekeeping center.
Practical Tips & Etiquette
Best Time to Visit: Early morning right at opening or late afternoon closer to sunset (for nicer light and to see it lit up at night). Evenings are vibrant but more crowded. Avoid Chinese public holidays if possible.
What to Wear/Bring:
Comfortable shoes for climbing the sometimes steep wooden stairs inside.
The square has little shade; bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen in summer.
Etiquette:
The tower is a historic monument. Do not touch the ancient wooden carvings or lean on artifacts.
Do not litter on the square or inside the tower.
Be patient and mindful of others, especially on staircases and viewing platforms.
Food
Xi’an is famous for its delicious local food (called “Shaanxi Cuisine”), and there are many great restaurants near the Bell Tower. Here are the top picks:
Lao Sun Jia (Old Sun’s Family):
Famous for “Yangrou Paomo” (lamb soup with baked buns)—a classic Xi’an dish. Location: 300 meters north of Bell Tower (on North Street). Price: 35-50 RMB per person.
Qing Hua Men Bingjian:
Sells “Rougamo” (meat sandwich)—another must-try in Xi’an. The meat is slow-cooked and tender, and the bun is crispy. Location: 200 meters east of Bell Tower (on East Street). Price: 8-12 RMB per sandwich.
Xi’an Snack Street (Huimin Street):
A 10-minute walk north of Bell Tower (about 800 meters away). It’s a street full of small food stalls selling all kinds of Xi’an snacks, like “Liangpi” (cold noodles), “Zongzi” (sticky rice dumplings), and “Tanghulu” (candied hawthorns). Price: 5-20 RMB per snack.
Q&A
Q: Can I visit the Bell Tower at night?
A: Yes! The Bell Tower is open until 10 PM in the regular season and 8 PM in the off-season. The night view is very beautiful, but remember to enter before the last entry time (9:30 PM for regular season, 7:30 PM for off-season).
Q: Do I need to book tickets in advance?
A: It’s not mandatory, but it’s recommended during peak times (weekends, holidays). Booking online saves you time waiting in line at the ticket window. For foreigners, make sure to have your passport number ready when booking.
Q: Is the Bell Tower accessible for people with disabilities?
A: Unfortunately, the Bell Tower has stairs only (no elevators), so it’s not fully accessible for people in wheelchairs. However, the surrounding square has flat paths, so you can still enjoy the view of the tower from outside.
Q: How long does a visit to the Bell Tower take?
A: Usually 1-1.5 hours. You’ll spend about 30 minutes climbing the tower, 30 minutes exploring the interior and taking photos, and 15-30 minutes walking around the square. If you do the bell-ringing experience, add another 10 minutes.
Q: Is there a gift shop at the Bell Tower?
A: Yes, there’s a small gift shop on the first floor of the Bell Tower. It sells souvenirs like mini replicas of the Bell Tower, ancient bell keychains, and Xi’an-themed postcards. Prices range from 10-100 RMB. Most souvenirs have English descriptions, so they’re good for bringing back to friends.
Mike Wang
Mike Wang is a 40-something Chinese travel expert, has explored the world,
hosting numerous foreign visitors. He’s deeply interested in and knowledgeable
about ancient cultural architectures, enriching journeys with his insights.