Bell Tower and Drum Tower, Xi’an
Two historic landmarks in the city centre
When I visited Xi’an, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower were two of the first things I noticed downtown. They sit opposite each other with a large pedestrian square in between. It is an easy stop that does not take much planning, and it gives a quick sense of how old the city really is.
What it feels like to visit
For me, this was more about being there than going inside. I did not actually enter either tower, so I cannot say how interesting the interior is. From the outside though, they were nice to look at, especially when you stand back and see them against the busy streets around. The contrast between the old towers and modern traffic is what stood out to me.
The square itself feels open and relaxed compared to other parts of the city centre. When I was there, people were just walking around, taking photos, or sitting for a short break.
Opening times and tickets
Both towers are open daily, but hours change a bit by season.
- Spring and summer: roughly 8:30 to 21:30
- Autumn and winter: roughly 8:30 to 18:00
A ticket for one tower costs around 30 CNY. A combined ticket for both is about 50 CNY. You can buy tickets on site or through common apps. If you only want to see them from the outside and walk around the square, no ticket is needed.
How long you need
If you plan to go inside both towers, around one hour is enough. If you are like me and just want to see them from the outside, 20 to 30 minutes is plenty.
Getting there
The towers are right in the city centre. I took the metro to Bell Tower station on line 2 and walked straight out to the square. The Drum Tower is only a few minutes away on foot.
Final thoughts
This is a simple stop, not a highlight you need to build a day around. I would not go out of my way for it, but if you are already in central Xi’an, it is a calm and easy place to pause and take in the atmosphere.
