Bell Tower (钟楼)
The wooden tower that marks the dead center of old Xi'an. It's the city's compass point: north, south, east and west gates all align from here. Come up for the view and the hourly bell performance, but the real magic is seeing it lit up after dark from the pedestrian crossing below.
First-time visitor essentials — the 4 worries, solved
Visa: Standard China entry rules apply. You don't need any special permit to visit the Bell Tower. Passport may be requested at the ticket gate if you booked online.
Money: Ticket is about ¥30, or buy a Bell + Drum Tower combo for ~¥50. Pay with Alipay/WeChat Pay. Cash is accepted at the window but not always at fast kiosks.
Internet: Mobile data is useful for QR tickets and for finding the underground pedestrian access. Wi-Fi in the tower is limited.
Hotels: Bell Tower is the classic first-timer base — walking distance to the wall, Muslim Quarter and metro lines 2 and 6. Confirm your hotel accepts foreign guests when booking.
Before you go
- Location: Center of the old city, where the four main streets meet. Metro Line 2 and Line 6 both stop at Zhonglou Station (Bell Tower, 钟楼站).
- Opening hours: roughly 8:30–21:30 in summer, 8:30–18:00 in winter. The tower is most impressive after sunset when it's floodlit.
- Ticket: ~¥30; Bell + Drum Tower combo ~¥50. Book on WeChat or Trip.com, or buy at the underground entrance.
- Access: You reach the tower through an underground pedestrian tunnel. Follow signs for Bell Tower (钟楼) from the metro or any corner of the intersection.
- Best time: late afternoon or evening. Daytime gives you clearer views of the streets; nighttime gives you the classic photo.
Inside the tower
- The climb: A short staircase up to the main hall. Inside you'll find a large bronze bell, historical exhibits and four viewing balconies.
- The view: Look down the four cardinal streets — South Street to the wall, North Street toward the railway, East and West Streets toward the city gates.
- Bell performance: Short musical demonstrations on the hour during opening hours. Check the schedule on arrival.
Practical notes
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Language | Signage is bilingual. Staff at the ticket counter usually speak basic English. |
| Maps | Search for "Xi'an Bell Tower (西安钟楼)" in Amap/Baidu. The tower is visible from anywhere nearby. |
| Payment | Mobile pay preferred. Cash window available. |
| Toilets | Available underground near the tunnel. |
| Crowds | Busy all day, packed at sunset and on weekends. |
| Etiquette | Keep voices down inside the hall; no flash photography of fragile exhibits. |
After you leave
- Photos: The best free shot is from the pedestrian crossing at ground level after dark, not from the tower itself.
- Food: Walk 5 minutes north to the Muslim Quarter, or south toward South Gate for restaurants and bars.
- Combine: Buy the combo ticket and walk 2 minutes west to the Drum Tower.
- Complaints: 12345.
Pre-trip prep
- Apps: Alipay/WeChat, Amap/Baidu Maps.
- Timing: Slot it into an evening after the City Wall or before dinner in the Muslim Quarter.
- Pair it with: Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, City Wall.