Marking the geographical center of the ancient capital Xian and enduring more than 600 years,
Xian Bell Tower is the iconic building, which was used to announce the time and now turns to be a museum with cultural relics
and traditional artworks, as well as amazing performances at daytime and stunning scenery at night.
History and Layout of Xian Bell Tower
Located in the city center of Xian, the bell tower can be easily found on the map
at the intersection of four main avenues of east, west, south and north.
It is the iconic site of City Xian, the the largest and well-preserved ancient tower in China.
First built in the Tang Dynasty and then rebuilt and renovated in the early Ming Dynasty (1394),
the bell tower at present has endured over 600 years.
In 1582, the tower was moved about 1000 meters away to the exact city center from the original site.
The whole timber-brick building covers an area of 1,377 square meters (14,820 sq ft) with a bronze-cast bell,
and the tower was named after it.
It has two floors and 3 layers of eaves.
Both of the two floors offer an amazing panoramic view of Xian city.
The solid gray bricks hold underneath the tower with red pillars and dark green tiles,like an abstract Christmas tree.
When it is lit up in the evening, the tower glows and looks magnificent in the backdrop of the dark blue sky.
Even the building itself has been rebuilt in the alternation of dynasties,
the original bell with inscription of Tang’s emperor has been well kept and moved to Steles Forest Museum for preservation.
Instead, another similar bell was cast and placed in the north-western corner of the tower till the present.
Legend and Function of Xian Bell Tower
Have you wondered why the bell tower was built for?
There is a legend behind the construction of the tower.
In the Tang dynasty, the earthquake always occurred in Xian and people believed that giant snake underneath the ground is the cause.
To expel the snake, people built the bell tower, and every time the bell and chime ring, the misfortunes are believed to be drove away.
Whether the legend is real or not, the bell later was to announce the time and emergency situations in the ancient time.
During the Chinese revolution wars, the tower has even been used as a jail for political prisoners and still remained
after the attack of Japanese army’s bomb.
Later, it was used as a central stage for the celebration of Labor’s day and National Holiday.
At present, it has become an exhibition hall of the historic and
cultural relics of Xian city and selected artworks of traditional Chinese painting,
all of which tell the coming visitors about the story behind this ancient capital, Xian.
Normally, there will be music played by ancient Chinese chime bells and the dance show featured in Tang dynasty style.
Underneath it, there is a square connecting Bell Tower with Drum Tower.
Since they are right next to each other, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower are always recommended to visit together.
