History of the Xian Bell tower
The Bell 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. During the Ming Dynasty, Xian was an important military town in Northwest China, a fact that is reflected in the size and historic significance.  With a height of 36 meters, the Bell Tower covers an area of 1,377 square meters. With several large bronze-cast bells from the Tang Dynasty, it is also an unique architecture built by bricks and timbers. The tower is a splendid sight with its dark green glazed tiles, blue and green paintings and touches of gold.

Ancient Chinese cities were also military castles. In addition to build walls around the city, dig moats and set drawbridge, it also accompanied with the bell tower in the city center as a command center. At peacetime, it was used for reporting time, and so could the drawbridge opening and closing on time. At the state of siege, it was used as city defense command.

Legends of the Xian Bell Tower
During the Ming Dynasty, Guanzhong area had experienced earthquakes. Many citizens were injured and they had found the reason of these frequent earthquakes. It was the dragon in the river which was flowing across the center of Xian city. In order to lock the dragon, the Bell Tower was built by the government. One of the officials believed that this tower could suppress the dragon firmly and bring the happiness to the city. And just as he thought, earthquake did not occur in Xi'an again.

What to see ?
Xian Bell tower is the wooden tower which is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China. It is 36 meters high, and it stands on a brick base 35.5 meters long and 8.6 meters high on each side. Xian Bell Tower 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.

The Giant Bell
The bell originally hanging in the Bell Tower bell was the Jingyun Bell casted in Tang Dynasty, which was used in Jinglong Temple before. In early Ming Dynasty, it was moved to the Bell Tower. In 1953, the bell was protected and moved to Xian Stone Steles Museum, and now is exhibit in Dongting of Ermengli.On the four doors of the second floor of the tower, there is on couplets on each door.
Xi'an Bureau of Cultural Relics according to the original bell built another giant bell and hung at the northwest corner of the bell tower. The bell is 2.45 meters high and weighs 6.5 tons. The bell skirt’s outer diameter is 1.65 m. Its decoration and inscriptions are resembles as the original bell, with loud and forceful sound, comparable with the original bell.

The Inscription
At the west wall of Xian Bell Tower’s first floor of the hall were inlaid with three inscriptions: the first one was from Xian People’s Government after the renovation in 1953; the second o ne was left by Shaanxi Provincial Governor Zhang Kaishu in Qing Dynasty; and the third inscription was wrote by Gong Maoxiang, the Shaanxi Supervisory Censor of Ming Dynasty.

A fenced-in area around the tower is planted with grass and flowers. In early spring, the tender plum blossoms and bright new grass surrounding provide a harmonious contrast. Not far from the tower, modern shopping malls and a brightly decorated square reveal the prosperity of the city. When night falls, lanterns hung from the eaves illuminate the tower, making it even more enchanting.

Travel Tips
Add: Junction of East main street, west main street, South main street and North main street, Lianhu District, Xi'an, Shannxi Provinc
Transport: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Bell Tower Station.
Entrance Fee: CNY 35
Opening Hours: 
March 26-October 25: 08:30-21:00 (Ticket selling stops at 20:30.)
October 26-next March 25: 08:30-18:00 (Ticket selling stops at 17:30.)

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