Ming Yang
What's Inside
I've been guiding tours in Xi'an for over a decade. And every time I bring a group to the Bell Tower, someone asks: "When should we go?" The standard answer — "anytime" — is useless. Here is the catch: most tourists flood in between 10 AM and 2 PM, and the lines become a mess. If you want a calm, enjoyable visit with great photos, you need to pick your window carefully.
Let me save you the trouble. I'll break down exactly when to show up, what time to book your ticket, and how to avoid the worst crowds.
Why Timing Matters — The Crowd and Light Reality
The Bell Tower sits dead center of Xi'an. It's not just a monument; it's a traffic roundabout with a massive ancient building on top. Thousands of people walk through every day. The worst hours? 10 AM to 2 PM, especially on weekends and Chinese public holidays. During those times, the spiral staircase gets jammed, and you'll be shuffling behind selfie sticks.
Light is another beast. The tower faces north-south, but the best facades for photos are the east and west sides. In the middle of the day, the sun is overhead, creating harsh shadows and washed-out colors. I always tell my clients: aim for golden hour, either early morning or late afternoon.
Seasonal Breakdown: When to Plan Your Trip
Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November)
These are the sweet spots. Temperatures are mild, skies are often clear, and the crowds are moderate. April and October are peak tourist months in Xi'an (thanks to the Terracotta Warriors), but the Bell Tower itself is less crowded than the Warriors site. I recommend planning for late April or mid-October — you'll get pleasant weather and manageable lines.
Summer (June–August)
Hot and humid. Temperatures can hit 38°C (100°F). The tower does have air conditioning inside (the museum part), but the climb up is sweaty. Worse, it's peak domestic travel season. The crowd level is high. If you must go in summer, arrive right at the 8:30 AM opening. I've seen families waiting in line under the scorching sun — not pleasant.
Winter (December–February)
Cold but quiet. Temperatures often drop below 0°C (32°F). The tower is open, but the wind on the top platform is biting. However, this is the best chance to have the place almost to yourself on weekday mornings. The low light from the south gives a soft, atmospheric glow. Plus, Xi'an's winter sky is often hazy — great for moody shots.
Best Time of Day: The Golden Windows
Early Morning: 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
The tower opens at 8:30 (April to October) or 9:00 (November to March). Be at the ticket gate 15 minutes early. This is the only time you'll see the tower without a swarm of people. The morning light from the east illuminates the intricate wood carvings beautifully. Plus, you can hear the bell being struck (they do a ceremony around 9 AM). I always bring my group here first before the city wakes up.
Late Afternoon: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Winter) / 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Summer)
The golden hour. The sunlight casts a warm amber glow on the green-glazed tiles and red pillars. From the top, you can also see the Drum Tower and the ancient city wall lit up. The downside? This is also when many tour groups arrive. But the light is worth it. I usually position my group on the west side of the tower around 5 PM — the shadows stretch long and the photos look professional.
Avoid the Midday Crush (10 AM – 2 PM)
Unless you have no other choice, skip this window. The sun is harsh, the queues for tickets are long, and the top platform feels like a crowded bus. If you get stuck with a midday ticket, spend your time in the base museum (air-conditioned) and wait until 3 PM to go up.
Tickets, Booking, and Practical Tips
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticket Price (Adult) | 35 CNY (approx. 5 USD) |
| Child (1.2m-1.4m) | 17.5 CNY; free for under 1.2m |
| Senior (65+) | Free with ID (bring passport) |
| Combo Ticket (Bell+Drum Tower) | 50 CNY (saves you money if you plan to visit both) |
| Opening Hours | Summer (Apr-Oct): 8:30-21:30, last entry 21:00; Winter (Nov-Mar): 9:00-18:00, last entry 17:30 |
| Booking Required? | Not mandatory for off-peak, but strongly recommended on weekends/holidays. Use the official WeChat mini-program "西安钟楼门票" (search in Chinese). Hotels can help. |
| Payment Methods | WeChat Pay, Alipay, cash. International credit cards are rarely accepted at the gate — bring cash or set up WeChat Pay. |
Getting there: Take Xi'an Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower station, exit C or D. Both exits put you right at the base of the tower. If you're coming from the Drum Tower, it's a 5-minute walk through the pedestrian underpass.
Photography: Where to Stand and When
Everyone takes the same photo — standing directly under the tower looking up. Don't do that. Here's what I've learned after hundreds of tours:
- Best spot for a full tower shot: On the east side of the Bell Tower Square, near the fountain. Use a wide-angle lens at dawn (7:30-8:00 AM in summer) to capture the tower against a clear sky with minimal people.
- Best selfie with the tower: Go to the west side of the tower, about 50 meters back, where the flower beds create a natural foreground. Late afternoon light hits your face evenly.
- Night shot: The tower is beautifully lit from 19:00 to 22:00. Best viewed from the north side where you can include the traffic light trails in a long exposure. But crowds are heavy — go after 21:00 on weekdays.
We followed the 'beat the crowds' advice and showed up at 7:50 AM on a Wednesday. Zero line, instant entry. The morning air was crisp, and you could hear the bells from the nearby mosque mixing with the tower's own chime. Climbed to the top and had the entire west-facing side to myself—took panorama videos without a single person in frame. Made me feel like I had the whole ancient city to myself. Absolutely recommend this strategy.
My third visit, and I finally nailed the timing. Late afternoon around 4:30 PM on a weekday—golden hour light hitting the glazed tiles, and the crowds from the morning tour buses had cleared. I sat on the east-side bench for almost 20 minutes just watching the swallows circle the eaves. The ticket guy let me stay past closing for a few minutes because I was the only one left. Magical. Don't underestimate the value of a quiet moment here.
Honestly? Not impressed for the hype. Maybe it was because I arrived at noon on a public holiday, but I couldn't even move inside. The bell demonstration was drowned out by chatter and phone speakers. The stairwell smelled like sweat and old wood. Paid 30 yuan and felt like I was in a human jar. The view from the top was just gray roofs and smog. I get that timing matters, but a landmark should be enjoyable even at peak hours. Disappointing.
I loved the tower itself—gorgeous architecture and the history panels are well done—but the crowd situation was frustrating. I went on a Saturday afternoon (my only free slot) and it was shoulder-to-shoulder on the top deck. Hard to stop and admire the view without being jostled. The staff tried to manage the flow, but it’s just too small for that many people. If you can go during the week, do it. Otherwise you’ll still enjoy it, just with less peace.
Went on a Tuesday morning around 8:30 AM and it was almost empty. The sunlight hit the bronze bell perfectly, and I could actually hear the echoes when they demonstrated the ringing. No pushing, no selfie sticks in my face. If you want that postcard shot without 200 strangers in it, this is the window. The ticket lady even gave me a tip about the shadow alignment at 9 AM. Absolutely worth dragging myself out of bed early.