Bell Tower & Drum TowerBell Tower & Drum Tower
🏛️ What It Is
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are the geographical center and symbols of Xi’an’s Old City. The Bell Tower was built in the 17th year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1384) and is located at the intersection of the four main streets running north, south, east, and west. The Drum Tower was built in 1380, with Hui Muslim Street directly behind it. At night, when the lights come on, they shine in resplendent splendor, making this one of Xi’an’s most photogenic spots.
✨ Why Visit
The night view of the Bell Tower is a visual icon of Xi’an. Whether or not you climb the tower during the day depends on your budget, but you must definitely come at night to see the night view and take photos.
Tips for Visitors
You don’t necessarily have to go up the towers, but you absolutely must see the night view.
The night view of the Bell Tower is a must-see—the best place to take photos is from the free observation deck on the 5th floor of Kaiyuan Mall.
Ticket Information
- Price
- Combined ticket for the Bell and Drum Towers: 50 yuan (individual tickets: 30 yuan each)
- Foreign Visitor Price
- Same price
- Student Discount
- ✅ Yes
- Booking
- ✅ No Booking Needed
Location
Intersection of East, West, South, and North Streets, Beilin District, Xi’an
Opening hours
Open 8:30–21:00, daily
Best Time to Visit
View the night scenery after 7:00 PM. The best spot for photos is the observation deck on the 5th floor of Kaiyuan Mall (free).