Bell and Drum Towers of Xi’an – The Iconic Buildings

“Morning Bell and Evening Drum” once vividly depicted the daily life of Xi’an’s ancient city. Although these timekeeping and alert functions have long ceased, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower remain symbolic landmarks deeply ingrained in the hearts of the city’s people. During the day, these towers stand solemn and grand, and at night, illuminated by lights, they shine brilliantly, as if bridging the passage of time to greet us.

The term “Morning Bell and Evening Drum” does not refer to the literal striking of the bell in the morning and the drum in the evening. Instead, it describes the practice of ringing the bell first and then beating the drum in the morning, and beating the drum first and then ringing the bell in the evening. The drums struck in the morning and evening are known as “Dawn Drum” and “Dusk Drum,” respectively, serving as time signals similar to the bells. Historically, drums were also used as signals during gatherings.

Travel Information about Bell and Drum Towers of Xi’an

Tickets and Opening Hours

Tickets: Combined ticket is ¥50; additional fee for drum performance.

Opening Hours:

• Peak Season (April 1 – October 31): 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, ticket sales end at 9:00 PM.
• Off-Season (November 1 – March 31): 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, ticket sales end at 5:30 PM.

Access to the Attraction

Location: At the intersection of the four main streets in Xi’an’s ancient city center.

Metro: Take Line 2 to Bell Tower Station.

Attraction Rating

• Cultural Value: ★★★★★
• Distinctive Features: ★★★★★
• Leisure: ★★★
• Beauty: ★★★★
• Romantic: ★★
• Thrilling: ★

Highlights of Bell and Drum Towers

Xi’an Bell Tower

The Bell Tower was originally built in the 17th year of the Hongwu era (1384 AD) during the Ming Dynasty, named after the large iron bell hung inside it. This tower is a multi-eaved, tiered, and quadrangular pavilion-style building, set on a square base constructed from gray bricks and white limestone, showcasing classic Ming Dynasty architectural style. The top features a triple-layered, four-sided spire covered with deep green glazed tiles, with the pinnacle wrapped in real gold foil.

The Bell Tower has two levels. To enter the first-floor grand hall, visitors ascend from the base platform via stairs. The hall has doors on all four sides, surrounded by a platform, and is topped with a square-painted coffered ceiling. The second floor connects to wooden lattice windows and outer corridors. The roof is adorned with green glazed tiles, contributing to the building’s grand and majestic appearance.

The entrance to the Bell Tower is located within an underground passage. As the four arch doors of the Bell Tower are currently closed, visitors access the tower from the underground passage.

Related Details:

• The Bell Tower is a brick-and-wood structure with three tiers of eaves. It features a spiral staircase that leads upwards. The eaves are covered with deep green glazed tiles, and the interior is adorned with gold leaf and intricate paintings, with carved beams and columns. The top of the tower is crowned with a gilded pinnacle, shining brightly. The current Jingyun Bell inside the tower is a replica; the original Jingyun Bell has been relocated to the Xi’an Beilin Museum.
• The doors of the Bell Tower are exquisitely decorated with intricate carvings, reflecting the decorative arts popular during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Each level of doors features eight relief sculptures. By carefully examining these carvings, visitors can discover many fascinating ancient stories and legends. Those interested in historical anecdotes will find them particularly engaging.

Xi’an Drum Tower

Xi’an Drum Tower was built in the 13th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1380 AD). It is the largest drum tower still existing in China and faces the Bell Tower to the east. The Drum Tower is situated at the southern end of North Yuancun Street, built on a high rectangular base. The base features north-south arches, each 6 meters high and wide.

The tower itself is a wooden structure with a梁架式 (beam-and-purlin) construction, located at the center of the base. It is seven bays wide, with corridors surrounding it. Originally, the tower housed a large drum that was struck daily to announce the time, hence the name “Drum Tower.” On the south side of the tower is a plaque inscribed with “声闻于天” (“Heard Across the Heavens”). Among its plaques, the southern plaque “文武盛地” (“Land of Culture and Martial Arts”) and the “天下第一关” (“The First Pass in the World”) plaque from Shanhaiguan are renowned as “China’s Two Great Plaques.”

Bell and Drum Tower Square

Bell and Drum Tower Square is located at the center of Xi’an’s old city, at the northwest corner of the Bell Tower. It stretches from the Bell Tower Roundabout in the east to the central axis of the Drum Tower in the west, and is built along the northern side of West Street.

In the Tang Dynasty, this area was the site of the Ministry of Personnel, the highest administrative body responsible for national affairs at that time. Today, Bell and Drum Tower Square is a green, grassy area. The lawn is divided into a grid pattern with stone slabs, reflecting the checkerboard layout of the Tang Dynasty’s Chang’an city.

Performances at Bell and Drum Towers

As iconic landmarks of Xi’an, the Bell and Drum Towers have been converted into museums. These museums host long-term exhibitions of musical artifacts, precious calligraphy and paintings gifted by Master Qi Baishi, Qing-style furniture, porcelain, and Chinese drum culture. They also feature dynamic performances such as the large-scale “Morning Bell and Evening Drum” reenactments, professional Qin-style bell performances, and ethnic drum music, bringing the “static” exhibits to life.