Bell Tower & Drum Tower Xi’an: Skip the Crowds & See the Real Deal

What’s Inside This Guide

The One Mistake That Ruins Your Visit
The Nitty-Gritty: Tickets, Transport & Timing
The Big Decision: Should You Actually Go Up?
Secret Photo Spots (That Locals Use)
Don’t Just Leave! What to Do Nearby
Your Burning Questions, Answered

Let’s be brutally honest for a second. You’ve seen the pictures. Two majestic, ancient towers standing guard over a chaotic roundabout in the heart of Xi’an. You add them to your list because, well, everyone does. You fight through crowds, buy a ticket, climb some stairs, glance at some old bells and drums, snap a few photos of the traffic below, and leave feeling… underwhelmed. Was that it?

That’s the standard script. And it’s a waste.

During my last visit, I watched a family spend 45 minutes in line, 15 minutes inside the Bell Tower, and then ask, “Where’s the Drum Tower?” They were standing right between them, having missed the entire point. The magic of the Bell and Drum Towers isn’t just in their individual structures—it’s in their relationship, their history as the literal heartbeat of a capital city, and the specific moments you choose to see them.

This guide is about breaking that script. It’s not about checking boxes. It’s about feeling the ancient rhythm of Xi’an.

The One Mistake That Ruins Your Visit

Treating them as separate, must-climb attractions. Most tourists rush to climb the Bell Tower, then rush 200 meters west to climb the Drum Tower, treating it like a scenic viewpoint. The views are fine, but you’re missing the context.

Historically, these towers weren’t for sightseeing. They were the city’s timekeeper. The bell marked dawn, the drum marked dusk. Their function was auditory and symbolic, governing the life of the entire Tang capital. Seeing them today means understanding that symbiosis.

My Non-Consensus Take: You might not need to climb both. Or even either. The most authentic experience is often from the ground, looking at them framed by city walls or glowing at night. The decision to go up should be strategic, not automatic. I’ll help you decide later.

The Nitty-Gritty: Tickets, Transport & Timing

Let’s get the practicalities out of the way. This is the stuff that causes real stress on the ground.

Buying Tickets: Skip the On-Site Queue

Never, ever buy tickets at the tiny counters under the towers. The lines are soul-crushing, especially between 10 AM and 3 PM.

The only way to go: use the WeChat mini-program “西安钟鼓楼博物馆” (Xi’an Bell and Drum Towers Museum). Scan the QR code on any official sign around the square to pull it up. You can buy a combined ticket for both towers right there. It’s in Chinese, but the icons are clear. Select date, time slot (they do this for crowd control), pay via WeChat Pay or Alipay, and show the QR code at the entrance. It takes 90 seconds.

During my visit in peak season, I walked past a 30-person line at the booth and went straight to the gate with my phone.

Ticket Type	Price (approx.)	Best For
Bell Tower Only	30 RMB	If you’re extremely short on time (not recommended).
Drum Tower Only	30 RMB	If you only care about the drum performance.
Combined Ticket	50 RMB	Everyone else. This is the standard and best value.

Exact Location & How to Get There

Address for your taxi/DiDi driver: 陕西省西安市莲湖区钟楼 (Zhonglou, Lianhu District, Xi’an). They all know it. The towers sit at the exact center of the old city.

From Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY): Take the airport shuttle bus line 1 to “钟楼西” (West Bell Tower) stop. About 1.5 hours, 25 RMB. A taxi will cost 120-150 RMB and take 50-70 minutes.

From Xi’an North Railway Station (High-Speed): Take Metro Line 2 (red line) southbound for 8 stops directly to “钟楼” (Bell Tower) station. Exit C. You’ll emerge right into the underground circle surrounding the tower. Follow signs for Bell Tower exit. 30 minutes, 4 RMB.

From Xi’an Railway Station (Main Station): It’s just 3 stops on Metro Line 2 northbound to “钟楼” station. Incredibly easy.

Operating Hours & The Golden Hours

Standard hours: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM (last entry at 9:00 PM).

Now, forget those. Here’s when you should really go:

The Sweet Spot (Best for Photos & Fewer People): 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM. The light is soft, and tour groups are still en route from their hotels.
The Performance Time: Drum performances happen inside the Drum Tower at regular intervals (e.g., 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00…). Check the board at the entrance for the day’s schedule. Plan to be there 10 minutes before.
The Magic Hour (My Favorite): One hour before sunset until they turn the lights off. The towers are illuminated, casting a golden glow. The blue-hour sky behind them is stunning. The crowds thin out significantly after 7 PM.

Critical Warning: The underground crossing around the Bell Tower is a labyrinth. If you’re meeting someone or exiting the metro, be hyper-specific about which exit (A, B, C, D, etc.). Exit C is closest to the Bell Tower entrance. Exiting wrong can mean a 10-minute walk above ground in chaos.

The Big Decision: Should You Actually Go Up?

This is the core of your experience. Let’s break it down.

The Bell Tower: The interior houses a few notable bells, including replicas of the famous “景云钟.” The view is a 360-degree panorama of the city’s radial layout. You can see the Drum Tower to the west, the city wall in all four directions, and the endless traffic circle below.

The Drum Tower: It’s filled with drums of various sizes. The main event is the short, energetic drum performance on the upper floor. The view faces east towards the Bell Tower, offering the classic symmetrical shot.

Here’s my blunt advice, forged from seeing too many tired, disappointed faces on those staircases: If you have mobility issues, are with young kids who hate stairs, or are simply “templed-out,” skip the climb. Buy an ice cream, sit on the steps of the open square to the west of the Drum Tower, and just watch them. You’ll absorb more atmosphere.

If you do climb one, make it the Drum Tower. Why? The performance adds a cultural layer you don’t get from just looking at static bells. The view of the Bell Tower from its balcony is more iconic than the reverse. The stairs are slightly less steep.

Climb both only if you’re a history/architecture enthusiast with good knees and a combined ticket.

Secret Photo Spots (That Locals Use)

Forget the standard head-on shot from the street. Here’s where to get the money shots.

1. The Second-Floor Balcony of the Bell Tower: Not the top. When you climb the Bell Tower, go to the outdoor balcony on the second level (before the final staircase to the very top). Lean against the outer wall and shoot along the wall, capturing the intricate roof details with the modern city as a backdrop. It’s a more intimate angle.

2. The Open Square West of Drum Tower: This is a local hangout in the evening. You get a clean, elevated view of the Drum Tower with plenty of foreground space. Perfect for sunset silhouettes.

3. The First Floor of the Ming City Wall South Gate (Yongningmen): This is a pro move. Walk or bike south from the Bell Tower to the City Wall’s South Gate. Don’t go up. Stand on the first floor of the gate complex (inside the arch) and look north. You’ll see the Bell Tower perfectly framed by the massive wall gateway. A breathtaking perspective few tourists seek.

4. From the Overpass at Beidajie: North of the Bell Tower, there’s a pedestrian overpass. It gives you a clean, modern leading line straight to the ancient tower.

Don’t Just Leave! What to Do Nearby

The area is a microcosm of Xi’an. Leaving after the towers is like eating only the breadstick at a feast.

Muslim Quarter (Beiyuanmen): A 5-minute walk north from the Drum Tower. Dive into the chaos for street food. Don’t just get the photogenic “persimmon cakes.” Try the lao mi jia mo (old-style shredded meat burger) from a stall with a local queue.
De Chang Xiang: The lane directly south of the Bell Tower leading to the South Gate. It’s been gentrified but has some lovely cafes with second-floor terraces offering Bell Tower views. Perfect for a post-exploration coffee.
Bike the City Wall at Dusk: Rent a bike at the South Gate (15-20 min walk). Cycling the wall as the city lights come on, with the Bell and Drum Towers glowing in the center, is an unbeatable experience.

Your Burning Questions, Answered

I’m with elderly parents who can’t climb many stairs. Is it still worth coming?

Absolutely, and here’s how. Focus on the exterior and atmosphere. Visit in the evening when they’re lit up. Find a bench in the square west of the Drum Tower. The performance schedule is often posted outside the Drum Tower entrance, so you can at least hear the drums from below. The view from the ground, looking up at these structures, is powerful. Combine it with a slow stroll through the nearby, relatively flat Muslim Quarter for a rich cultural experience without a single step climbed.

I only have 2 hours in central Xi’an. Should I rush through both towers?

No. Don’t rush. With two hours, buy the combined ticket online in advance. Go directly to the Drum Tower for one performance time slot. Watch the show, take in the view of the Bell Tower. Then, walk to the Bell Tower, go up only if the line is short (check visually). If the line is long, walk the underground circle around it, appreciating its grandeur from all sides. Then use your remaining time for a quick bite in the Muslim Quarter. Quality over quantity.

What’s the single best time of day for photography?

The 30-minute period just after sunset, known as the blue hour. The sky is a deep cobalt blue, and the towers’ golden lights are on. The contrast is magical, and the harsh shadows of the day are gone. Set up at the square west of the Drum Tower or on the City Wall South Gate first floor for epic shots. A close second is early morning (8:30-9:30 AM) for clean, crowd-free shots with warm light.

Is the night view really that good? Can I go up at night?

The night view from the outside is better than the view from inside at night. Yes, you can go up until 9:00 PM, and seeing the city lights is nice. However, the interior exhibits are poorly lit in the evening, and you miss the colorful details. My strong recommendation: admire the illuminated towers from the ground (free and stunning) and save your climb for daylight hours to appreciate the architecture and exhibits properly.

The Bell and Drum Towers aren’t just attractions; they’re the anchor of old Xi’an. Your visit shouldn’t be a hurried climb. It should be a moment to pause in the middle of the modern whirlwind and listen for the echo of the time-keeping bell, to see the city’s past and present collide in one spectacular roundabout.

Go with that intention, and you won’t be disappointed.

All practical information regarding tickets, transportation, and operating hours has been fact-checked for accuracy. Please always verify on official channels before your visit as details may change.