Xi'an
Drum Tower of Xi'an
Facing the Bell Tower across a single broad square, the Drum Tower is its older twin, built in 1380 — four years before the bell. Where the bell rang in the dawn, the great drums here beat the dusk, sounding the nightly curfew of imperial Xi'an. The tower is a long timber hall set on a high brick arch, and across its front hangs a bold plaque reading 'Wen Wu Sheng Di' — 'a land flourishing in arts and arms'.
The Drum Tower's long timber hall and the great plaque above its arch
The drums
Climb to the upper floor and a rank of huge replica drums lines the balcony, each painted and named. Short drum performances run several times a day, a thunderous reminder of how the city once kept time. Inside, a small collection of antique drums and Ming furnishings fills the painted hall.
A gateway to the Muslim Quarter
Step off the back of the tower and you are at the mouth of Beiyuanmen, the lantern-strung lane that opens the Hui Muslim food district. The two towers, the square between them and the snack streets beyond form Xi'an's liveliest evening quarter.
The Drum Tower lit in red and gold after dark
When to go and getting in
The tower keeps similar hours to the Bell Tower, roughly 8:30 to 21:00 in summer and shorter in winter. A single ticket is about 30 RMB; the combined Bell-and-Drum ticket (around 50 RMB) covers both and is the obvious choice. Ask at the desk for the day's drum-performance times.
Practical notes
Pair the climb with the Bell Tower opposite, then walk straight on into the Muslim Quarter as the lanterns come on — tower, drums and street food make a natural early-evening sequence. Like its twin, the Drum Tower is at its most photogenic floodlit after dark.
Highlights
- Built in 1380, four years before its twin the Bell Tower
- Its giant drums once sounded the dusk curfew, paired with the dawn bell
- A long timber hall on a brick arch, crowned by the plaque 'Wen Wu Sheng Di'
- A balcony rank of replica drums and daily drum performances
- Stands at the mouth of the Muslim Quarter's food street
- Glowing red and gold under floodlights after dark
Travel Tips
Catch a drum show
Short drum performances run several times a day on the upper floor — ask at the ticket desk for the next slot.
Pair with the bell
The combined Bell + Drum ticket (around 50 RMB) covers both; the towers face each other across one square.
Gateway to snacks
Step off the back of the tower straight into Beiyuanmen, the lantern-lit food lane of the Muslim Quarter.
