How to Visit Xi’an’s Bell Tower and Drum Tower: A Local’s Practical Travel Guide

If it’s your first time in Xi’an, the old town center where the Bell Tower and Drum Tower stand is definitely worth a visit, but I don’t recommend fully exploring the interiors of both towers.

As a local travel consultant in Xi’an who has served international visitors for years, I usually ask my guests three questions before coming up with a travel plan. Would you prefer to take in the cityscape, watch the traditional drum performance, or just take photos of the night view? How much time do you have? Will you continue to explore the Muslim Quarter and the Ancient City Wall?

Only after we know the answers can we figure out the best schedule. For most first-time visitors to Xi’an, I recommend the following itinerary. Get to the Bell Tower in the evening and decide whether to ascend the tower based on your time. Then walk to the Drum Tower and admire it from the outside or explore inside according to your interest. Finally, head straight to the Muslim Quarter for dinner. If you just want to capture the iconic night view of the Bell Tower, it’s actually not necessary to buy a ticket to climb up the tower.

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• Are Both the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Worth Visiting? Should I Climb Both?
• What to See Inside the Bell Tower and Drum Tower?
• Tickets & Opening Hours for Xi’an Bell Tower and Drum Tower?
• How to Get to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in Xi’an
• When Is the Best Time to Visit Xi’an Bell Tower? During the Day, Around Sunset, or at Night?
• How Long Do You Need at Xi’an Bell Tower and Drum Tower?
• How to Tour Around the Bell Tower and Drum Tower — Plan Your Route Based on Time

Are Both the Bell Tower and Drum Tower Worth Visiting? Should I Climb Both?

The Bell Tower of Xi’an and Drum Tower of Xi’an are only a few hundred meters apart, so you can easily see both from the outside. But should you buy tickets for entering both towers? My answer is: one is enough for most first-time visitors.

The Bell Tower almost serves as the geographical center of Xi’an. It is strategically located at the intersection of the four main streets that respectively run east, west, north, and south through the ancient city. The Drum Tower stands to the west of the Bell Tower and connects with the Muslim Quarter in the back. Viewing the two towers together is one of the most straightforward ways to understand the layout of the old town in Xi’an.

However, they offer quite different experiences if you go inside.

Comparison	Bell Tower	Drum Tower
Key Highlights	Ancient city central axis, four main streets, the structure itself	Drum culture exhibition, thematic exhibits, Ming Dynasty architecture
The Best Angle to View	Four main streets, the well-ordered grid layout of the ancient city	The Bell Tower, the Muslim Quarter, and the surrounding urban scenery
Suggested Visit Duration	30 – 45 minutes	30 – 45 minutes
Best for	First-time visitors to Xi’an, urban landscape enthusiasts	Travelers having a strong interest in architecture, drum culture and exhibitions

Is Xi’an Bell Tower worth visiting? In my opinion, it’s worth seeing, but you should be aware that “seeing the Bell Tower” and “climbing the Bell Tower” are two different things. If you are on a tight schedule or budget, it’s totally fine to just “see” it from the outside.

If you want to pick one of two towers to go inside, I’d recommend the Bell Tower more. The reason is very simple: it’s located at the center of the ancient city, and you can see four streets stretching in four directions as soon as you climb up the tower. For international travelers visiting Xi’an for the first time, it’s an easy and fast way to get a sense of the city’s layout.

The Drum Tower is also worth entering if you are not in a rush. It appeals more to those who are interested in drum culture and Ming Dynasty architecture. Various types of temporary exhibitions are often held there, so you can check what is currently on display before deciding whether to enter the tower.

What to See Inside the Bell Tower and Drum Tower?

Many international travelers may guess that the Bell Tower houses a large history museum when they first see it. In fact, there is not a museum. What appeals to tourists most is the building itself and its critical location in the heart of Xi’an.

After you get to the top of the Bell Tower, I’d suggest taking a walk along the wraparound corridor — it’s one of the best things to do at the Bell Tower. You can see the East Street, West Street, South Street, and North Street extend in four directions from here, and the Drum Tower to your west. Soon you’ll understand why the overall layout of Xi’an is often compared to a chessboard.

There is one thing I often tell my guests — the Jingyun Bell you see inside the Bell Tower is not the Tang Dynasty original, but a replica made in 1997. The original bell was cast in 711 and is currently housed in Xi’an Beilin Museum.

The trip inside the Drum Tower mainly focuses on drum culture, architecture and exhibitions. Many Xi’an travel guides used to consider the drum music and chime bell performances as an essential part of visiting the Drum Tower. However, the regular drum and chime bell performances may be canceled or rescheduled, so do not plan your Drum Tower tour solely around the show.

During major traditional festivals or special celebrations, there might be ancient-style drumming ceremonies or other themed cultural events. These are special arrangements, not held every day. Please refer to the official announcement on the day of visit to check if there are any activities.

The exhibitions inside the Drum Tower also change from time to time. For example, starting in August 2026, the Drum Tower opened an exhibition of Bell Tower and Drum Tower rubbings on the first floor. Therefore, “what to see inside the tower” is not completely fixed throughout the year.

To sum up, if you are asking, “Can I go inside the Bell Tower of Xi’an?” Certainly you can! But if you have only an hour, I would recommend ascending the Bell Tower and seeing the Drum Tower from the outside, rather than rushing to tour both towers.

Tickets & Opening Hours for Xi’an Bell Tower and Drum Tower?

At present, adult tickets for the Bell Tower and Drum Tower cost 30 yuan each. A combo ticket is only 50 yuan. Obviously, if you plan to climb both towers, it’s more cost-efficient to buy a Bell Tower and Drum Tower combo ticket.

The opening hours are:

Months	Opening Hours	Single Ticket Cutoff Time	Combo Ticket Cutoff Time
Apr. 1 – Oct. 10	8:30am – 9:30pm	9:00pm	8:00pm
Oct. 11 – Next Mar. 31	8:30am – 6:00pm	5:30pm	4:30pm

Good to know: During holidays, the opening hours and areas may be subject to temporary adjustment. If your travel date is still a few months away, especially during the transition between the peak and low seasons, I’d recommend confirming the opening hours again on the day of visit.

Both towers have stairs. Tourists with mobility difficulties, bad knees or baby strollers don’t need to push themselves to go up the towers. After all, seeing the Bell Tower at night from the outside is one of the best experiences on any Xi’an tour.

How to Get to the Bell Tower and Drum Tower in Xi’an

The easiest way to get to the Bell Tower & Drum Tower is by metro.

Located right beneath the Bell Tower, Zhonglou metro station is a transfer station for lines 2 and 6. For travelers staying inside the City Wall, near the South Gate and Xiaozhai, or along metro lines, my advice is to take the metro to the Bell Tower, instead of taking a taxi, as you may get stuck in a severe traffic jam, especially during the evening rush hour.

But there is a common mistake that first-time visitors tend to make — attempt to walk across the roundabout at ground level as they see the Bell Tower stands in the middle.

This is very dangerous and not allowed. Though the Bell Tower is in the center of the roundabout, you need to walk through an underpass to get to the entrance. At the underground space of Zhonglou metro station, simply follow the signs marked as “Bell Tower/Scenic Area Entrance”.

Zhonglou station has many exits, so don’t get hung up on memorizing a specific exit number. It may vary with your destination, which can be the entrance to the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the Kaiyuan Shopping Mall, etc.

How do I get from the Bell Tower to the Drum Tower?

It’s not necessary to take a car. After you leave the Bell Tower area, walk northwest and you’ll arrive at the Drum Tower in 5 minutes. Actually, the square linking the two towers is quite suitable for a leisurely walk.

Let me help you to map out the locations in a simple way:

Bell Tower → Walk west for 5 minutes → Drum Tower → Behind the Drum Tower → Muslim Quarter

If we walk from the Bell Tower to the south, the route goes like:

Bell Tower → South Street → South Gate (aka Yongning Gate) → Xi’an City Wall

It can be clearly seen that the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Muslim Quarter are very close to each other, and can be toured together. If you plan to ascend the City Wall from Yongning Gate on the same day, it’s also very convenient to set off from the Bell Tower without detours.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Xi’an Bell Tower? During the Day, Around Sunset, or at Night?

If I can only recommend one time, I would choose around sunset.

Why? Because it allows you to see two different versions of the Bell Tower at once. Look at the architectural details and city layout before dark. After the sun sets, the lit-up tower appears even more stunning. This transition between day and night brings you completely different feelings.

Morning: Suitable for Quiet Visits to the Interior

If you focus more on the architectural details, it’s wise to visit in the morning for fewer crowds. Besides, it’s cooler than noon if you visit during summer.

Evening: Best for First-timers

The perfect plan is to climb the Bell Tower first to get a bird’s eye view of the four main streets and ancient city layout. Then go downstairs and wait until the tower lights up. Later walk to the Drum Tower and Muslim Quarter and wander around.

Night: Golden Hour to Take Photos of the Bell Tower

I always tell my guests that the most classic Xi’an Bell Tower photos are often not shot inside the tower, but from the outside.

The blue hour that happens 20 to 40 minutes after sunset is the ideal time to photograph the Bell Tower. At this time, the sky has not completely turned black. The warm yellow lights of the Bell Tower make a sharp contrast with the deep blue sky, more striking than the pure black background.

The blue hour varies depending on season and weather, so it’s better to check the sunset time of the day in advance.

A Free Photo Spot Popular Among Locals — Kaiyuan Shopping Mall

The Kaiyuan Shopping Mall to the southeast of the Bell Tower has a high deck to take a panoramic view of the Bell Tower. It’s one of the best photo spots around.

Why is it a better location than the edge of the Bell Tower roundabout? It’s because a mass of vehicles go around the roundabout, so that your view is easily blocked by guardrails, cars and pedestrians, whereas the high deck in the mall offers a more complete view of the Bell Tower and streets below. If you want to take photos, go to the Kaiyuan Shopping Mall early during the blue hour.

It should be noted that the viewing area inside the mall may be temporarily adjusted due to operational reasons, construction or events. Whether the viewing area is open and the exact floors to open are subject to the arrangement of the mall.

You don’t need to search for a high photo spot for the Drum Tower. The square between the two towers works well.

How Long Do You Need at Xi’an Bell Tower and Drum Tower?

There is no fixed answer. As a local travel consultant, I usually arrange the tour around the time my guests have, rather than suggest 2 hours for everyone.

30 – 45 Minutes Only

In this case, it’s better not to climb the towers. Simply follow this itinerary: Admire the Bell Tower from the outside → Go through the Bell and Drum Towers Square → Admire the Drum Tower from the outside. If you visit at night, this itinerary actually covers most of the core experiences.

One Hour

I would recommend climbing the Bell Tower and taking in the Drum Tower from the outside.

Allow 30 – 40 minutes for the Bell Tower. Spend the rest of the time walking to the Drum Tower and taking some photos. Then head to the Muslim Quarter.

If you are more interested in drum culture, architecture, or the exhibition held on the day, take the Drum Tower as your main target and slightly change the itinerary.

1.5 – 2 Hours

If you want to enter both towers, buy a combo ticket, but don’t rush through the visit. Now that the drum show inside the Drum Tower has been canceled, the two tower tours feel not that different as described in some guides. An in-depth tour in one of them is enough for ordinary tourists.

How to Tour Around the Bell Tower and Drum Tower — Plan Your Route Based on Time

One of the greatest advantages of the Bell Tower is its excellent location. Rather than listing the attractions near Bell Tower Xi’an, I’d suggest planning your travel route directly based on the time you have.

2 Hours: A Brief Tour to the Landmarks

Bell Tower → Drum Tower → Muslim Quarter

This is the simplest combination. The Muslim Quarter is just behind the Drum Tower. Tour them together so that you don’t need to arrange a special trip to the Muslim Quarter on the next day.

Half a Day: Culture + Food

Bell Tower → Drum Tower → Muslim Quarter → The Great Mosque of Xi’an

The streets behind the Drum Tower where most tourists go are only a part of the Muslim Quarter. It actually covers a much larger area.

If you don’t want to eat on the busiest main street, the surrounding deeper alleys are worth exploring. The Great Mosque, which integrates traditional Chinese courtyards, garden-style structures, and Islamic religious functions, is hidden in the alleys. Do not miss it.

Half a Day: Bell and Drum Towers + Xi’an City Wall

Yongning Gate of Xi’an City Wall → South Street → Bell Tower → Drum Tower → Muslim Quarter

This is the prior choice for first-time visitors to Xi’an. The route stretches northward from Yongning Gate to the Bell Tower along the north-south axis of the city, and then heads west to the Drum Tower and Muslim Quarter. It’s incredibly smooth and does not require backtracking.

The Evening Itinerary I Recommend Most

Yongning Gate of Xi’an City Wall → Blue Hour at the Bell Tower → Capture Night Scenes in Kaiyuan Shopping Mall → Drum Tower → Enjoy Dinner in the Muslim Quarter

For first-timers, if your main purpose is to appreciate Xi’an Bell Tower at night, this route is better than setting aside two hours during the day to visit the Bell and Drum Towers one by one.