Xi'an Bell and Drum Towers

When in Xi'an, a visit to the Bell and Drum Towers is a must. These are iconic landmarks of Xi'an, originally built during the Ming Dynasty over 600 years ago. As ancient Chinese timekeeping buildings, they have been well preserved to this day. The Bell Tower was constructed in the 17th year of the Hongwu reign (1384), and the Drum Tower in the 13th year of the Hongwu reign (1380). Since the Qing Dynasty, they have undergone multiple restorations. The Bell Tower rings the bell to mark the morning, and the Drum Tower beats the drum to signal the evening, together regulating the rhythm of life in the ancient city and embodying the philosophical concept of "bell on the left, drum on the right." The Bell Tower features a double-eaved roof with three ridges and four pointed corners, standing 36 meters tall; the Drum Tower has a double-eaved Xieshan roof, standing 34 meters tall. Both towers are covered with deep green glazed tiles, decorated with dougong brackets and caisson ceilings, blending Song and Yuan dynasty styles with Ming dynasty techniques. As a cultural landmark of Xi'an, today the site not only hosts daily ancient-style performances but also houses a museum showcasing drum culture and Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, attracting tourists from home and abroad. Visitors can also climb the Bell and Drum Towers to enjoy panoramic views of the city of Xi'an. Moreover, .