Bell & Drum Tower

The Bell and Drum Towers stand at what was the geographical centre of Tang-dynasty Chang'an — two structures on the city's primary north–south axis marking the point where the city's ceremonial grid intersected. The current structures date from the Ming dynasty (Bell Tower 1384, Drum Tower 1380), relocated and rebuilt in their present positions after the city's axis shifted slightly from the Tang original.

The Bell Tower, an octagonal three-tiered structure on an elevated masonry base, sat at the centre of the old walled city and could be seen from all four gate towers on a clear day. It now sits in the middle of a large traffic roundabout, accessible only via an underground pedestrian passage. The bronze bell used for timekeeping was replaced by a larger bell in 1582; both bells are preserved. The tower's upper viewing level provides a useful orientation to the walled city layout.

The Drum Tower, 200 metres to the west, marked the gateway into the Muslim quarter and played the evening drum roll that signalled the closing of the city gates and the curfew. The traditional drum collection in its upper hall is extensive, with reproductions of the full Tang-dynasty set. Evening drum performances run to a schedule.

The space between the two towers is now a plaza with a Starbucks occupying one of the heritage buildings, an arrangement that has attracted commentary but reflects the economic reality of maintaining historic urban buildings in an active commercial centre. The lanes south of this plaza, running toward the South Gate, are Xi'an's principal preserved historic commercial street area.