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Bell Tower

Introducing Xian Bell Tower
The Bell Tower is a stately traditional building, which marks the geographical center of the ancient capital. From this important landmark extend East, South, West and North Streets, connecting the Tower to the East, South, West and North Gates of the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty.

Xian Bell Tower Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Xian Zhonglou 西安钟楼
• Best Time to Visit: All year round
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Ancient Chinese Culture Study
• Opening Hours: 8:30-20:30 from Apr. 01 to Oct. 10; 8:30-18:00 from Oct. 11 to Mar. 31
• Entrance Fee: ¥30/person
• Address: Intersection of East Street and West Street, Beilin District, Xian, Shaanxi Province

What to expect at Xian Bell Tower

History and Layout of Xian Bell Tower
The Bell Tower, which is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China, is 36 meters (118 feet) high. It stands on a brick base 35.5 meters (116.4 feet) long and 8.6 meters (28.2 feet) high on each side. During the Ming Dynasty, Xian was an important military town in Northwest China, a fact that is reflected in the size and historic significance of its tower. It was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers.
The Bell Tower has three layers of eaves but only two stories. Inside, a staircase spirals up. The grey bricks of the square base, the dark green glazed tiles on the eaves, gold-plating on the roof and gilded color painting make the tower a colorful and dramatic masterpiece of Ming-style architecture. In addition to enhancing the beauty of the building, the three layers of eaves reduce the impact of rain on the building.
On the second floor, a plaque set in the west wall records the relocation of the tower in 1582. When it was first built in 1384, it stood near the Drum Tower on the central axis of the city, and continued to mark the center of the city since Tang Dynasty and the following the Five Dynasties and the Song and Yuan Dynasties. As the city grew, however, the geographical center changed. Therefore, in 1582, the Tower was moved 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) east of the original site. Except for the base, all parts are original, and history tells us that the relocation was accomplished quickly and inexpensively, making it a truly notable achievement in the architectural history in China.
Originally, the northwest corner of the Bell Tower housed the famous Jingyun Bell from the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that although nothing had changed in the tower, the Jingyun Bell fell silent during the Ming Dynasty, so the current bell, a much smaller one weighing only 5 tons, was cast. The original Jingyun Bell can now be seen in Forest of Stone Steles Museum.

Enjoy a Stunning Panoramic View of Xian
The Bell Tower is an iconic place from which you can enjoy the bird’s eye view of the whole city. Not far from the tower, modern shopping malls and a brightly decorated square reveal the prosperity of the city. When night falls, lanterns hung from the eaves illuminate the tower, making it even more enchanting. The tower would be the best place to enjoy the stunning nightscape of the city when the city is all lit up.

How to get to Xian Bell Tower

By Bus:
• Bell Tower North Station: Take Bus 4, 12, 26, 36, 37, 229, 235, 600, 606, Tourism Bus Line 7
• Bell Tower South Station: Take Bus 6, 11, 16, 26, 29, 35, 36, 46, 203, 208, 215, 603, 605, 608, 609, 616
• Bell Tower East Station: Take Bus 7, 8, 47
• Bell Tower West Station: Take Bus 15, 32, 43, 45, 201, 205, 215, 218, 221, 222, 251, 252, 286, 300, 604, 611, 612, 618, 622, Tourism Bus Line 8(610)
By Metro:
Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Zhonglou Station (Exit C).

Additional travel advice on Xian Bell Tower 
• Because the Xian Bell Tower is located in the heart of Xian, the traffic is always busy. If you want to go to the tower by taxi, some driver may refuse to take you there especially on holidays.

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