Is it worth going inside the Xi'an Bell Tower?

Yes, mainly for the view. The interior holds small calligraphy and furniture exhibits, but the real draw is the 360-degree panorama of the old city from the upper deck. Entry is 35 RMB, or 50 RMB as a combo with the nearby Drum Tower, which is the better value since both are worth seeing. Budget around forty-five minutes for the tower itself.

How do I reach the Bell Tower without crossing traffic?

The tower sits on a roundabout in the heart of the walled city with no street-level pedestrian crossing. Take the metro to Bell Tower station and use the underground passage, which leads directly to the base of the monument. Visa, Mastercard, and mobile payments are accepted, and no advance booking is required, though passport-linked entry is recommended for foreign visitors.

What is the best time to visit the Bell Tower?

Come at dusk, when the tower lights up and the Muslim Quarter night market nearby begins to fill. The fading light over the old-city rooftops makes for the strongest photos from the upper deck. Pair it with the Drum Tower on the combo ticket and walk straight into the Muslim Quarter afterward for dinner, all within a few minutes on foot.

Bell Tower, Xi'an: Map & Visitor's Guide (2026)

1384 Ming-era city-center tower — Xi’an’s geographic zero and the city’s signature postcard image.

At a glance

What it is: Heritage Site
Also known as: 西安钟楼 (Xī’ān Zhōnglóu)
Opening hours: 8:30 AM – 9 PM
Time needed: 45 min
Best time to visit: Dusk for lights up + Drum Tower combo
Getting there: Metro to the door
English: English tours available
Cards accepted: Visa, Mastercard
Entry: Passport booking recommended
Wi-Fi: No public Wi-Fi
Address: Bell Tower Square, Xi’an · 钟楼广场

Bell Tower map & getting there

Map of Bell Tower (西安钟楼) in Xi'an — nearby streets and metro stations

Amap (in China)Open in Google Maps Apple Maps Interactive Xi'an map →

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 钟楼广场 · Bell Tower Square, Xi’an

The Bell Tower (1384) is the geographic center of Xi’an’s walled old city — every distance measures from here. 36m tall, 1370 m² wood-and-stone construction, originally housed the bronze bell that struck dawn (the Drum Tower struck dusk, hence the pairing). Entry 35 RMB (combo with Drum Tower 50 RMB). The interior has small calligraphy + furniture exhibits; the real attraction is the 360° city panorama from the upper deck. Best at dusk when the tower lights up + the Muslim Quarter night market starts heating up nearby. Underground passage from Bell Tower Metro Station goes directly to the base — the surface roundabout has no pedestrian crossing.

Highlights

Combo Ticket with Drum Tower50 RMB combo vs 35+35 separate; both worth
Upper Deck 360° ViewBest Xi’an old-city aerial

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

Use the underground metro passage to reach the base; the surface roundabout has no crosswalk and is not safe to cross on foot.
Buy the 50 RMB combo with the Drum Tower rather than separate tickets, since the two towers are a five-minute walk apart.
Climb to the upper deck for the real reason to visit; the indoor exhibits are minor and can be skimmed quickly.
Time your visit for dusk so you catch the tower lighting up just as the Muslim Quarter night market gets going next door.
From the deck you get the best aerial shot of the old city’s grid, better than any street-level photo of the tower itself.
There is no Wi-Fi inside, so download an offline map before you go if you plan to navigate to the Muslim Quarter after.
Visit the Bell Tower and Drum Tower back to back, then flow straight into the Muslim Quarter for dinner to chain all three efficiently.

Photos

Show all 14 photos

Xian, Shaanxi, China: The bell tower, the center of the old city

Frequently asked questions about Bell Tower

Is it worth going inside the Xi’an Bell Tower?: Yes, mainly for the view. The interior holds small calligraphy and furniture exhibits, but the real draw is the 360-degree panorama of the old city from the upper deck. Entry is 35 RMB, or 50 RMB as a combo with the nearby Drum Tower, which is the better value since both are worth seeing. Budget around forty-five minutes for the tower itself.
How do I reach the Bell Tower without crossing traffic?: The tower sits on a roundabout in the heart of the walled city with no street-level pedestrian crossing. Take the metro to Bell Tower station and use the underground passage, which leads directly to the base of the monument. Visa, Mastercard, and mobile payments are accepted, and no advance booking is required, though passport-linked entry is recommended for foreign visitors.
What is the best time to visit the Bell Tower?: Come at dusk, when the tower lights up and the Muslim Quarter night market nearby begins to fill. The fading light over the old-city rooftops makes for the strongest photos from the upper deck. Pair it with the Drum Tower on the combo ticket and walk straight into the Muslim Quarter afterward for dinner, all within a few minutes on foot.