Bell and Drum Tower is located in the city center. Enjoying a high prestige, regarded as the landmark of Xian, with the history of over 600 years, it is the must-see destination.

Bell Tower
Bell Tower used to function as indicator to tell time for the ancient people. Today, the tower introduces the past glory of this ancient capital in China. Built in 1384, 36 meters high, the Bell Tower covers an area of 1,377 square meters.

The highlight of Bell Tower is the Giant Bell (2.45 meters high and weighs 6.5 tons). There is a huge bell well preserved in the Bell Tower, called the Jingyun Bell dating back to Tang Dynasty. Once located in Jinglong Temple, in early Ming Dynasty, the giant bell was moved to the Bell Tower. In 1953, to protect the giant bell it was removed to Xian Stone Steles Museum for exhibition. Later Xian Bureau of Cultural Relics built another giant bell based on the original bell and put it at the northwest corner of the bell tower. Besides the Giant Bell, Inscription and Couplets also gain a high fame among visitors.

Drum Tower
The Drum Tower stands facing the Bell Tower, just 250 meters from each other. 52.6 meters long, 38 meters wide and 7.7 meters high, it is the largest and best preserved drum tower in China. There are a few doorways leading up to the tower in the middle of south and north wall. The floor that houses the drum is designed with a rectangular shape and consists of 2 floors. There are 10 rooms on the two floors and the rooms are connected by corridors. The eaves are covered by brackets to enhance the level of the tower.

Drum Tower was first built in 1380, which was completed 4 years earlier than the Bell Tower. It is taller than the Bell tower and also 738.55 meters larger as well. The Drum Tower is home to a big drum which in ancient times was used to indicate the time to ancient people, hence the name of the tower. In 1996, the big drum housed in the tower is a reproduction of the old drum and made by the government. The new drum is 1.8 meters high with 2.83 meters in diameter. The cow leather is used to build the drum and the drum weighs 1.5 ton. The drum can make a loud and vigorous sound today, and people can hear the sound 5km away from the tower.

To taste of the rich history of Xian, the Bell and Drum Tower is the place should not be missed!