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I've been guiding tours in Xi'an for nearly a decade. And every single time I bring a group to the Bell Tower metro station, I see tourists looking lost — staring at the ticket machine, trying to figure out which exit leads to the Muslim Quarter. It's a mess if you don't know the tricks.
This is the busiest interchange station in Xi'an. Line 2 and Line 3 cross here. During rush hours, the crowd can be overwhelming. But if you know a few insider moves, you'll save at least 30 minutes a day. Let me walk you through it.
Why Xi'an Bell Tower Metro Station Is the Heart of the City
Standing at the intersection of East, West, South, and North streets, this station is literally under the Bell Tower — the iconic symbol of Xi'an. It's the closest metro stop to the Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, and the South Gate of the City Wall. Most first‑time visitors spend their first two days within a 1‑km radius of this station.
But here's the catch: the station itself is huge. It has 5 exits (A, B, C, D, and a direct connection to the underground mall). If you exit from the wrong side, you might walk an extra 10 minutes in the wrong direction — and in Xi'an's summer heat, that's no joke.
How to Choose the Right Exit (Save Your Steps)
I always tell my groups: memorize your exit before you get off the train. Here's a quick breakdown:
| Exit | Landmark / Direction | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| C | Bell Tower (directly), East Street | Taking photos, heading to East Street shopping |
| D | Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter (Huimin Jie) | Muslim Quarter entrance (closest) |
| A | West Street, Kaiyuan Shopping Mall | Kaiyuan mall, underground food court |
| B | South Street, towards City Wall South Gate | Walking to South Gate (15 min on foot) |
Ticketing & Transfers: No WeChat? No Problem
First, the bad news: this station does not accept international credit cards at the ticket machines. I've seen countless tourists swipe their Visa and get nothing. The machines only take cash (RMB) or mobile payment (Alipay/WeChat). But here's the workaround:
- Use the manual counter: Go to the customer service window (look for a sign that says "人工售票"). Show them cash and say the station name in English — they usually understand "Bell Tower." A single ride costs 3-5 RMB depending on distance.
- Get a Xi'an Metro Card: You can buy a reusable card at the counter (deposit 20 RMB, refundable). Tap in and out — it saves time and avoids queuing.
- Download Alipay (if possible): Many tourists ask me to help set it up. It takes 10 minutes, and then you can scan QR codes at the gates. No need to buy tickets.
Transferring between Lines 2 and 3
The transfer is inside the paid area. Follow the green signs for Line 3 (towards Yuhuazhai or Baoshuiqu). It's about a 3–4 minute walk, all underground. No need to exit. Watch out for the escalator bottleneck around 5:30–7 PM — I've seen people miss trains because they stopped to check their phone at the bottom. Keep moving.
5-Minute Walk Attractions (Within 400m)
From any exit, you can reach the following within 5 minutes:
- Bell Tower (Zhong Lou): Ticket 35 RMB (adult), 15 RMB (student). Open 8:30–21:30 (last entry 21:00). Best photo time: 4:30 PM – golden hour lights up the structure. Avoid noon – harsh shadows.
- Drum Tower (Gu Lou): Ticket 30 RMB or combo with Bell Tower 50 RMB. Open 9:00–17:30 (winter), 8:30–18:30 (summer). Get the combo if you plan to visit both – saves 15 RMB.
- Muslim Quarter: Free entry. The main street is touristy, but I always take my guests into the side alleys (like Dapiyuan) for real street food.
- South Gate of Xi'an City Wall: Ticket 54 RMB. You can rent a bike (45 RMB for 2 hours). The walk from Exit B takes about 12 minutes, but I'd recommend taking a taxi (8 RMB) if it's hot.
Where to Eat Around the Station (My Personal Picks)
Every guide has their favorites. Here are three places I cycle through with my groups because they never disappoint.
| Restaurant | Location / Exit | Must‑Try | Avg. Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lao Sun Jia | 2 min from Exit D, on Beiyuanmen Street | Lamb Paomo (bread soaked in lamb soup) – rich, savory | 40–60 RMB | Cash or Alipay, English menu available. Peak hours 12–2 PM, queue ~20 min. |
| Jia San Guan Tang Bao | Same street, 3 min walk | Steamed soup dumplings (pork or lamb) – juicy, hot | 35–50 RMB | Vegetarian options? Not many. Try the lamb one. |
| Biang Biang Noodles | Underground mall near Exit A | Hand‑pulled wide noodles with chili oil – spicy & chewy | 20–30 RMB | Great for a quick lunch. They accept cash only. |
Hotels Within 200m of the Station (Convenient & Practical)
Staying near the Bell Tower metro saves you taxi fares and travel time. Here are three options I've personally used:
| Hotel | Address | Price Range | Why I Recommend It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ibis Xi'an Bell Tower | 360 Dong Da Jie (Exit C, 1 min walk) | 250–400 RMB/night (off‑peak) | Clean, reliable, English‑speaking staff, free wifi. Buffet breakfast includes Western options. |
| Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square | 319 Dong Xin Jie (Exit A, 5 min walk) | 600–1200 RMB/night | Luxury option. Great for couples. Has a pool and excellent concierge service. They can arrange your metro card. |
| Hanting Hotel (Bell Tower Branch) | 80 Xi Da Jie (Exit A, 3 min walk) | 150–250 RMB/night | Budget but decent. Rooms are small but very clean. No English staff, but they're patient with translation apps. |
If you're on a tight budget, look for hostels in the Muslim Quarter – they're often 80–120 RMB per bed and offer great social vibes. But be warned: noise from street vendors can go until midnight.
3 Mistakes I See Tourists Make at This Station (Every Day)
- Exiting from the wrong gate when it's raining. Sounds trivial, but if you exit from D during a downpour, you'll have no shelter until you reach the Drum Tower (a 3‑minute sprint). Exit A has a direct underground connection to the shopping mall, so you can stay dry and walk through to the Bell Tower. Remember: in summer, sudden rain is common.
- Buying a single‑ride ticket for a round trip. The machines are slow, and queues build up. Instead, buy a return ticket at the same time, or get the reusable card. You'll thank me when you see the 6 PM queue.
- Not using the underground walkway to cross the road. The surface crosswalks around the Bell Tower are packed with cars and scooters. The underground mall connects all four sides – just follow the signs. No need to wait for traffic lights.
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