Hong Ma
Quick Jump: What You'll Need
I've guided over 200 groups to this landmark — and trust me, most people waste the first hour. The Bell Tower isn't complicated, but the little things kill your experience: ticket lines, blinding midday glare, and the wrong entrance. Let me fix that for you.
Here's the blunt truth: Go at 4:30 PM, buy tickets on your phone through a specific mini-program, and enter from the northwest staircase. That single time slot saves you 30 minutes of queueing and gives you golden light for photos. Read on for the exact steps — no fluff.
Why Most Tourists Get the Timing Wrong
Every travel site says "early morning or late afternoon." But they don't tell you why. Here's the reality check: from 10 AM to 2 PM, the sun blasts directly onto the south facade, making photos terrible and the climb sticky-hot. Plus, tour buses arrive in waves around 10:30 AM. I once counted 12 groups lining up at once — the queue stretched to the street.
Another thing no one mentions: the Bell Tower closes at 9 PM in summer (last entry 8:30), but the ticket office stops selling physical tickets 30 minutes before that. So don't show up at 8 PM expecting to buy on-site. You'll need the digital route I'm about to give you.
Step-by-Step: How to Enter the Bell Tower
Buying Tickets Without WeChat Pain
Yes, the official ticketing runs through a WeChat mini-program that's only in Chinese. It's a headache even for me — I've seen foreigners stuck at the gate refreshing their phones. Here's the workaround:
- Skip the on-site booth unless you have exact RMB cash (credit cards almost never work there).
- Use Trip.com (English app) — I've tested it myself. Select your date, pay with any international card, and show the QR code at the entrance. Confirmation takes 2 minutes.
- Or ask your hotel reception to buy it for you via their WeChat. Tianyu Hotel on West Street does this for guests — just tip the front desk 10 yuan.
| Ticket Type | Price (RMB) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (Bell Tower only) | 30 | No discount for online vs on-site |
| Student (valid ID) | 15 | Must show international student card at gate |
| Child (under 1.2m) | Free | No ticket needed; accompany adult |
| Combined Bell & Drum Tower | 50 | Valid for 2 days — highly recommended |
Choosing the Right Entrance
The Bell Tower sits in a massive roundabout with four underground passages leading to the base. Most tourists follow signs and end up at the south entrance — which has the longest queue. Here's the trick:
- Subway entrance: Take Xi'an Metro Line 2 to Bell Tower Station, Exit C. That drops you directly at the north underground passage. Walk 50 meters and you'll see a small staircase labelled "Northwest Entrance" — almost nobody uses it. I've walked straight in with zero wait at 5 PM.
- If you're coming from the Drum Tower side: Don't cross the street at ground level (you'll hit traffic). Use the underground walkway near Starbucks at the southeast corner. Follow the yellow floor stickers saying "Bell Tower →" — it leads to the east entrance, which is also less crowded than south.
What to See Inside (and What to Skip)
The Bell Tower is smaller than you expect — three floors, about 36 meters high. Most visitors finish in 30 minutes. But to make it worth the ticket, focus on these two things:
The bronze bell on the 2nd floor. Yes, it's a replica (the original is in the museum). But at 10 AM and 4 PM, a performer strikes it — the deep resonance vibrates through the whole tower. I always time my group for 4 PM; it's less crowded and the sound bounces beautifully off the wooden ceiling.
The 3rd floor observation deck. This is where the magic happens. You get a 360° view of Xi'an's concentric city walls. The north side looks directly down the Muslim Quarter's rooftop maze — best angle, in my opinion. Skip the small exhibition rooms on the 1st floor (just old photos and replica pottery). Most people waste 15 minutes there.
Best Photo Spots Around the Bell Tower
You don't have to climb the tower for the iconic shot. Here are three locations I use for my clients:
- Southwest corner of the roundabout (ground level): Stand near the bicycle parking lot. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the tower with the evening sky. Best at 6 PM in spring/autumn — the light hits the golden roof trim perfectly.
- KFC on Dong Dajie (2nd floor window): I'm serious. Go to KFC on East Street, order a drink, sit by the window facing the tower. The glass gives a clean reflection, and you avoid the jostling crowd. I've taken some of my best shots there.
- Bell Tower Underground Passage, Exit D: This exit has a glass ceiling that frames the tower above. Crouch down and shoot upward — the geometric lines are stunning. It's also empty after 8 PM.
Combining with the Drum Tower and Muslim Quarter
The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are only 300 meters apart — you can literally see one from the other. But walking there at noon under the sun is a mistake I see every day. Here's my recommended half-day route:
| Time | Activity | Transport & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00 PM | Enter Bell Tower (northwest entrance) | Buy combo ticket on Trip.com (50 RMB) |
| 4:15 PM | Walk up to 3rd floor deck, take photos | Spend 15 minutes max |
| 4:40 PM | Bell performance on 2nd floor | If you miss it, don't wait — just move on |
| 5:00 PM | Walk to Drum Tower (8 min via underground passage) | Follow signs "Drum Tower West" — go through the Muslim Quarter street, not the main road |
| 5:15 PM | Climb Drum Tower (last entry 5:30) | The drum shows are at 3 PM & 5 PM — try to catch the 5 PM one |
| 6:00 PM | Explore Muslim Quarter food street | Start from the Drum Tower square — street food stalls open around 5:30 |
One more thing: the Muslim Quarter gets insanely crowded after 7 PM. If you're not into crowds, skip the food street and head to Da Qifang (a quieter lane parallel to the main street, one block west) — same food, half the hassle.
FAQ for First-Time Visitors
This content has been fact-checked to ensure informational precision. All prices are accurate at the time of research and may vary slightly by season.
Disappointed. The guide promised 'skip the lines & crowds' but we went on a Saturday afternoon (following the 'best time' slot) and it was a zoo. Long queue even for online ticket holders, and the viewing platform was shoulder-to-shoulder. Couldn't even get a clear photo. The tower itself is nice, but the overcrowding ruined it. Not worth the hassle for me.
Mostly great! The tip about entering from the east gate really did cut down the wait. We loved the carved ceiling and the bell ringing demonstration. Only downside—the elevator to the top was still packed despite following the timing advice, and we waited about 15 minutes. Still a solid 4/5 experience overall. Would recommend but maybe go even earlier.
Traveling solo can be tricky with crowds, but this article made it a breeze. I skipped the midday rush by going right after lunch (as advised) and spent a solid hour just watching the traffic circle below—mesmerizing. The audio guide suggestion was perfect; I learned so much about the Ming dynasty architecture. Absolutely worth every yuan.
This guide saved my trip! I used the suggested photo spots (the west side balcony at sunset) and got amazing shots without a single stranger in frame. The detail about buying tickets online vs. at the gate—spot on. The tower itself is impressive, but the real gem is the panorama of the drum tower and the old city walls. Highly recommend for any photographer.
We followed this guide to the letter—arrived just before 8am on a Tuesday and practically had the Bell Tower to ourselves! The morning light hitting the ancient brickwork was stunning, and we could actually hear the echo of our footsteps inside. No queues, no jostling. Best 5-star experience ever. Thanks for the pro tips!
I wasn't expecting much, but the bell tower totally impressed me. The architecture is gorgeous up close, and the exhibition of ancient musical bells was fascinating. Bought the combo ticket with the drum tower (also good advice from the article) – saved time and money. The best part? No ridiculous souvenir push inside, which I appreciated. Perfect for a quick but meaningful stop. 5 out of 5 – don't skip it.
Followed the suggestion to go right at opening time (8:30) and it was magical! Had the upper level almost to myself for the first 15 minutes. Watched the morning light hit the bell and listened to the little display about its history. The whole visit took about 45 minutes, perfect pace. Clean restrooms, helpful staff, and the nearby Muslim Quarter is a bonus for lunch. Absolutely worth it – a 5-star experience if you plan right!
Went on a Saturday afternoon – mistake! Even though I read the tips, the crowd inside was suffocating. The line to climb the stairs took 25 minutes, and inside people kept bumping into me. The bell tower itself is cool, but the experience was ruined by the sheer number of visitors. The article says 'skip the lines' but there's still a queue to get in even with pre-booked tickets. Honestly felt overhyped. Save your money for the city wall instead.
Decided to visit on a weekday in the late afternoon (around 4 PM) to catch sunset from the top. The article's advice about avoiding weekends really worked – it was busy but not crazy. The view over the city with the golden light was breathtaking. Only gave 4 stars because a few tourists were being loud and ignoring the no-touch signs, which ruined the peaceful vibe a bit. Still, an impressive piece of history and the staff were friendly.
Visited last Wednesday morning around 8:30 AM right when it opened. The skip-the-line tip about buying tickets online the night before was spot on – I walked straight in while a huge line was already forming at the ticket booth. The bell tower itself is stunning, especially the intricate woodwork and the ancient bells. The audio guide was worth the extra yuan, gave so much context. If you like history and don't want to be squeezed like sardines, get there early. Highly recommend!