Xi'an Bell Tower

Photo of Xi'an Bell Tower: Bell Tower history

Photo of Xi'an Bell Tower: Xi'an Bell Tower tickets

Address Beiyuanmen Sub-district, Lianhu District, Xi'an, Shaanxi

Hours 08:30–21:00

Phone +86 29 87276520

Announcement: City Heart

Entrance ¥30

Hours 08:30–21:00

Best Season Blue hour (just after sunset) for photography

Time needed 1 hour

Last visit: May 22, 2026

Author: Jian Zhao

Reviewer: Zhenyu Shi

Xi'an Bell Tower Travel Guide

Xi'an Bell Tower: Your Essential Visit Guide

Peng Gao 2026-05-25 Verified

Planning a visit to Xi'an Bell Tower? This detailed guide covers tickets, opening hours, how to get there, and insider tips for the best experience. Learn about its history and how to combine it with the Drum Tower.

Read story

Is Xian Bell Tower Worth Visiting? An Honest Review

Peng Gao 2026-05-25 Verified

Is the Xi'an Bell Tower worth your time and money? This honest review covers ticket prices, best times to visit, hidden details most miss, and how it compares to the nearby Drum Tower to help you decide.

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Xi'an Bell Tower Overview

The geographical center of Xi'an, this iconic Ming Dynasty structure marks the intersection of the four main avenues of the ancient walled city.

Xi'an Bell Tower Opening Hours & Tickets

08:30–21:00
Best season: Blue hour (just after sunset) for photography
Ticket note: Single ticket for Bell Tower or Drum Tower; combo tickets available for a slight...

Essential Xi'an Bell Tower Visitor Information

Enquiries: +86 29 87276520
Ticket counter (underground)
Small display room
City view balcony

How to Get to Xi'an Bell Tower

Metro Line 2 to Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station.

Xi'an Bell Tower Travel Safety & Advice

Security post located in the underground tunnel entrance.

Practical Info

Beiyuanmen Sub-district, Lianhu District, Xi'an, Shaanxi
08:30–21:00
+86 29 87276520

Jian Zhao

Certified Master Tour Guide

Jian Zhao, a Xi’an-based Certified Master Tour Guide, specializes in Northwest China itineraries covering the Terracotta Warriors, Hexi Corridor, and Mogao Caves.

We keep this guide current.

Ratings

☆☆☆☆☆ — (0 reviews)

On-site notes & editorial review

Tickets

Single ticket for Bell Tower or Drum Tower; combo tickets available for a slight...

Online booking may be required

Tips

Check the performance schedule for the traditional bell ringing ceremony performed by staff in period costumes.

Reality Check

Accessed via a confusing underground pedestrian tunnel
Limited space on the upper balcony during peak hours
Better viewed from the outside at night

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Xi'an Bell Tower Travel FAQ

I'm visiting with limited mobility. Can I still access the Bell Tower?

This is a significant challenge. The only way up is via several flights of old, steep, and sometimes slippery wooden stairs. There is no elevator or ramp. The underground passages to reach the entrance also involve stairs, though some have escalators. The ground floor exhibition is accessible, but the defining view from the upper floors is not. I'd recommend enjoying the tower from the surrounding square and the second-floor viewing windows of the nearby Starbucks, which offers a fantastic, barrier-free alternative panorama.

What's the one thing most tourists miss at the Bell Tower?

They miss looking down. Everyone looks out at the horizon. Take a moment to look straight down over the railings at the base of the tower itself. You'll see the massive, sloping stone pedestal it sits on. Observe the intricate traffic flow of the roundabout—a modern dance of cars, bikes, and buses circling a static Ming Dynasty monument. This vertical perspective, from ancient foundation to modern street level, perfectly encapsulates Xi'an.

How do I get a good photo with the Bell Tower without the crowds?

The classic shot from the street-level roundabout is always crowded. For a cleaner shot, use the elevated second-floor walkways of the surrounding shopping malls (like the one connected to Exit 6 of the metro). From inside, for a people-free shot of the structure itself, focus on architectural details—the painted eaves, the corner brackets, a single carved dragon head against the sky. Wide shots of the viewing deck will almost always include people, so lean into the detail work.

Is it worth going inside the Bell Tower, or is the outside view enough?

The outside view is iconic, but it's two-dimensional. Going inside answers the "why." Feeling the scale of the wooden pillars, seeing the city's radial layout from the exact center, and understanding its timekeeping purpose adds layers you can't get from the street. If you're just ticking a box, stay outside. If you want to feel Xi'an's historical pulse, go up.