Bell and Drum Tower

The center of Xi'an

Information about Drum and Bell Tower

The Drum and Bell Towers of Xi'an, two iconic landmarks nestled in the heart of the ancient city, are a harmonious blend of historical significance and architectural grandeur. Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, these structures have remained integral to Xi'an's identity, offering visitors a captivating glimpse into China's rich past.

The Drum Tower stands tall with its magnificent wooden structure and commanding presence. Historically, it played a crucial role in the city's timekeeping, with the beating of the giant drum marking the hours of the day. Today, visitors can climb to the top and witness breathtaking panoramic views of the city, providing a unique perspective on modern Xi'an, juxtaposed with its historical roots.

Adjacent to the Drum Tower, the Bell Tower is equally captivating. This towering masterpiece, adorned with intricate artwork and intricate details, has a central role in Chinese culture. The ancient bells were struck to signify the start and end of the day, signaling time to the citizens. Its architecture reflects traditional Chinese aesthetics, adorned with eaves, dougong brackets, and carvings, making it a stunning example of Ming and Qing architectural styles.

Interesting facts about Drum and Bell Tower

Astronomical Clock: The Drum Tower houses an ancient astronomical clock that was a marvel of its time. This intricate timepiece allowed the ancient Chinese to measure time accurately and served several functions, including timekeeping and astronomical observation.

Nightly drum performances: Visitors to the Drum Tower can experience enchanting nightly drum performances. These performances, complete with traditional costumes and drumming, take you back in time and provide a unique cultural experience.

Ancient transport hub: In the past, the Bell and Drum Towers stood at the crossroads of two major ancient trade routes, the north-south route along the Ming Dynasty city wall and the east-west route from the Bell Tower to the city's west gate. This central location underlines its historical significance.

Renovated cultural centres: Both towers have been painstakingly restored to their former glory and now house museums dedicated to the history and culture of Xi'an. These museums provide a valuable insight into the city's development over the centuries.

Pictures of Drum and Bell Tower

Highlights Close to Drum and Bell Tower

City Wall Xi'an

Xi'an, one of China's most historically significant cities, is home to an iconic relic of its past – the ancient City Walls. Stretching across the heart of Xi'an, these walls stand as a testament to the city's enduring legacy and the architectural marvels of ancient China.

Constructed during the Ming Dynasty

Xi'an's City Walls have a rich history dating back to the early Ming Dynasty, specifically in 1370. Built under the orders of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, these walls were designed for defense and have successfully endured for over 600 years.

Massive Structure with Unique Features

Covering a distance of approximately 14 kilometers, the City Walls are among the most extensive fortifications in the world. They are not just walls but an architectural masterpiece, featuring unique elements like the watchtowers, a moat system, and the four main gates – Changle, Anding, Yongning, and Anyuan – each with its own historical significance.

A Journey on the Ancient Walls

Visitors to Xi'an can embark on a memorable journey by walking or biking on top of the City Walls. This experience offers panoramic views of the cityscape, revealing the stark contrast between the ancient and modern aspects of Xi'an. The walls are adorned with beautiful gardens, providing a serene escape from the bustling city below.

City Walls: Witness to Xi'an's Transformation

Over the centuries, Xi'an's City Walls have witnessed the city's transformation from an ancient capital to a bustling modern metropolis. This blend of history and progress makes these walls an essential stop for tourists seeking to delve into China's vibrant past.Xi'an's largest structure is 12 km long, 12 m high and up to 14 m thick at the crown. In the late 14th century, the wall was built on the foundations of the Tang-period palace district wall. It consists of a rammed earth core encased in bricks. Vehicular traffic flows through additional openings next to the rectangular gate bastions. The town moat was also preserved. After a previously demolished gap near the train station was bridged, a complete tour of the wall is possible – or a round trip by rental bike from the South Gate.

Giant Wild Goose Pagoda

This is probably the most famous pagoda in China - and one of the oldest, as the massive, 60 m high tower dates back to the 7th century. It was built by imperial order for the fireproof safekeeping of the holy scriptures that the Indian pilgrim Xuanzang (602-664) had brought with him from the homeland of Buddhism. The pagoda is part of the Ci'en Si monastery, whose halls were built in the 16th century. On a side wall of the rear hall, there is a depiction of Xuanzang carrying scrolls across the Silk Road in an ergonomically advanced back frame. Its counterpart, the somewhat lower Small Wild Goose Pagoda, 45 meters high, stands about 2 kilometers to the northwest near the south gate. It is a century younger, and also once served to safely store Indian sutras. From the roof of the pagoda, one has a beautiful view over the nearby surroundings of Xi'an.

Great Mosque

Nestled in the heart of Xi'an, the Great Mosque is a true testament to the harmonious blend of Chinese and Islamic cultures. This architectural masterpiece, dating back to the Tang Dynasty in the 8th century, stands as one of the oldest and most well-preserved mosques in China. With a rich history and distinctive design, it's a must-visit for anyone exploring the ancient city of Xi'an.

China's largest and most beautiful Chinese-style mosque delights with the tranquility of its garden courtyards and fine plant reliefs. The three-story, centrally placed "Tower of Conscience" functions as a minaret. Only worshipers may enter the prayer hall at the west end. The mosque is located in the middle of Xi'an's large Muslim Quarter, the only piece of the old city still intact. The alleys leading toward the mosque serve as a daily antique and flea market, and there are also plenty of cook shops, as well as some galleries in the alley leading north from the drum tower.

Terracotta Army

In 1974 farmers first came across shards while drilling wells. Today, four pits are known where the grave guard army was placed. One of them was empty. The total number of figures, in addition to soldiers of various ranks, horses, is estimated at least 7,000.

The most impressive thing about the army of clay warriors isn't only the amount of them, but the fact that they have been created with different faces and clothes. The warriors reside in a burial site build for the first emperor of China, Qin Shihuangdi. Although he died 210 BC, the site was buried underground and found just 2,000 years later