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Xian Attractions Xian Bell Tower & Drum Tower
Xian Attractions Xian Bell Tower & Drum Tower
Xian Attractions
The Bell Tower is located in the center of downtown area where the North Street, the South Street, the East Street and the West Street meet. 
It was first built in Yingxiang Temple in 1384, to mark the center of the city. As a result of the city's expansion, it was shifted to its present site in 1582. It used to hold a sizable bell to strike time every morning.
The Bell Tower has a classical structure with carved beams and painted rafters. It is 36 meters above ground. The base of the Bell Tower is 1,337.4 square meters in size, 8.6 meters high and 35.5 meters wide. The tower was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers.
It has three layers of eaves but only two stories. Inside, a staircase spirals up. The grey bricks of the square base, the dark green glazed tiles on the eaves, gold-plating on the roof and gilded color painting make the tower a
colorful and dramatic masterpiece of Ming-style architecture. In addition to enhancing the beauty of the building, the three layers of eaves reduce the impact of rain on the building.
It was first built in Yingxiang Temple in 1384, to mark the center of the city. As a result of the city's expansion, it was shifted to its present site in 1582. It used to hold a sizable bell to strike time every morning.
The Bell Tower has a classical structure with carved beams and painted rafters. It is 36 meters above ground. The base of the Bell Tower is 1,337.4 square meters in size, 8.6 meters high and 35.5 meters wide. The tower was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers.
It has three layers of eaves but only two stories. Inside, a staircase spirals up. The grey bricks of the square base, the dark green glazed tiles on the eaves, gold-plating on the roof and gilded color painting make the tower a
colorful and dramatic masterpiece of Ming-style architecture. In addition to enhancing the beauty of the building, the three layers of eaves reduce the impact of rain on the building.
Originally, the northwest corner of the tower housed the famous Jingyun Bell from the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that although nothing had changed in the tower, the Jingyun Bell fell silent during the Ming Dynasty, so the current bell, a much smaller one weighing only 5 tons, was cast. The original Jingyun Bell can now be seen in Forest of Stone Steles Museum.
The engravings on the doors of the Tower reflect the decorative fashion of Ming and Qing Dynasties, recounting popular stories of ancient China. About 500 meters northwest of the Bell Tower stands another magnificent building, the Drum Tower. Built in 1380, it used to house a huge drum to tell the time at dusk. The base of the Drum Tower is 1,924 square meters, and its height is 34 meters.
The Drum Tower is on the northern side of the western street in the city. It was built in 1380, and was rebuilt in 1699.It named as the Drum Tower because of the big drum placed on the tower, which was hit at dusk everyday for giving the correct time.
Both the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower were listed as cultural relics under the municipal-level protection. With the two towers rivaling each other, the ancient city of Xi'an is more beautiful and spectacular than ever before.