The Bell Tower (Zhōnglóu, 钟楼) rises from the heart of downtown Xi'an where the city's four main roads—each named for a cardinal direction—converge. Originaly built in 1582 and restored in 1739, the tower was used to announce the time of day for Xi'an residents and serve as a watchtower. The previous Bell Tower, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, stood two blocks to the west. Today, one enormous bell dominates the top level of the four-story tower, accompanied by several smaller bells and chimes, most of which are replicas of the originals. A wrap-around balcony offers terrific views of the city, including the nearby Drum Tower (Gǔ Lóu, 鼓楼), which marks the entrance to the Muslim Quarter, which no longer contains the giant drum once signaled the end of the day and closing of the city gates, though it does retain some good views, including one of the Great Mosque. Between and around both towers there is a wide range of small snack stands, noodle restaurants and shops, making it an excellent area for a bit of unstructured exploration. If you're looking for more shopping and dining options, continue east on Dong Dajie (Dōng Dàjiē, 东大街).
Book Xi'an Bell & Drum Tower tours Shaanxi guide | Xi'an guide | Xi'an attractions | Xi'an flights Xi'an Hotels | Xi'an tours & activities Xi'an on the China Travel Blog