About Drum Tower of Xi'an
“Ancient timekeeping made monumental — a massive wooden fortress of red pillars and green-tiled roofs guarding the entrance to Xi'an's most intoxicating food street, with drumbeats reverberating through centuries of Silk Road history.”
Xi'an's Drum Tower is a massive Ming Dynasty tower built in 1380, standing 34 meters tall with classic triple-eaved wooden architecture atop a monumental brick base. It was originally built to beat drums at sunset to mark the end of the day — the counterpart to the nearby Bell Tower's morning chimes. Together, they represent one of the best-preserved bell-and-drum tower pairs in China. Today, the Drum Tower is most famous for three things: its location as the gateway to the Muslim Quarter (Huimin Street), its collection of 24 ceremonial drums representing the 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar, and its traditional drum performances throughout the day. The honest take: the tower itself takes about 10-20 minutes to visit inside. You climb the stairs, see the drum collection, watch a drum performance if the timing works, and enjoy the view of the surrounding city. The interior exhibition is modest. Many visitors feel the 30 RMB ticket (or 50 RMB combo with Bell Tower) is steep for such a brief visit, and some suggest just admiring it from outside. However, the drum performances are genuinely entertaining — powerful rhythms performed by skilled musicians. And the view from the top, looking down the street into the Muslim Quarter on one side and toward the Bell Tower on the other, gives you a perfect orientation to Xi'an's old city. The real magic happens at night when the tower is beautifully illuminated and the Muslim Quarter below comes alive with food vendors, lights, and crowds.
Top Questions from Travelers
Why This Place Matters
Xi'an's Drum Tower embodies an ancient Chinese urban management system: 'morning bells, evening drums' (晨钟暮鼓). In imperial China, the Bell Tower rang at dawn to start the day and open the city gates; the Drum Tower beat at dusk to signal the day's end and the closing of gates. This wasn't just timekeeping — it regulated commerce, curfews, and the rhythm of urban life. Xi'an's pair, built in 1380 (Drum Tower) and 1384 (Bell Tower), is the largest and best-preserved example of this system in China. The Drum Tower's location at the head of the Muslim Quarter is no coincidence — the Hui Muslim community has occupied this neighborhood since Arab and Persian traders arrived via the Silk Road during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). This area was where East met West over a thousand years ago, and the food, architecture, and culture still reflect that fusion. The 24 drums inside represent the 24 solar terms — a 2,000-year-old Chinese astronomical and agricultural calendar system recognized by UNESCO. The tower thus connects three aspects of Chinese civilization: urban governance, astronomical knowledge, and Silk Road cultural exchange.
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Highlights
4 iconic experiences that define a visit
24 ceremonial drums (二十四节气鼓)
A collection of 24 large ceremonial drums displayed on the upper level, each representing one of the 24 solar terms in the traditional Chinese agricultural calendar. The drums range from ancient replicas to modern ceremonial instruments.
The concept of 24 solar terms — China's traditional way of dividing the year based on the sun's position — was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016. The drums connecting timekeeping to astronomy to agriculture tells a story about how ancient Chinese civilization organized itself.
Universal AppealTraditional drum performance (鼓乐表演)
Live drum performances featuring musicians in traditional costume playing powerful rhythmic compositions on the tower's drums. The performers include ...
Universal AppealNight illumination and cityscape
After dark, the Drum Tower is bathed in warm golden light that makes its wooden architecture glow against the night sky. From the top, you can see the...
Universal AppealGateway to the Muslim Quarter (回民街入口)
The Drum Tower marks the entrance to Xi'an's famous Muslim Quarter — one of China's most celebrated food streets, home to the Hui Muslim community sin...
What Most Visitors Miss
The combo ticket with the Bell Tower saves money and tells the full story
The Drum Tower and Bell Tower were designed as a pair — morning bells and evening drums. Visiting both completes the ancient timekeeping system. The Bell Tower is just 260 meters east and the combo ticket saves 10 RMB.
The smaller, more authentic Muslim Quarter side streets
Most tourists only walk the main Beiyuanmen Street, which is the most touristy and overpriced. The real food gems are on Dapiyuan (大皮院), Xiaopiyuan (小皮院), and Huajue Xiang (化觉巷) — parallel side streets with better food and lower prices.
The drum performances
Many visitors climb up, look around for 5 minutes, and leave without catching a performance. The drum shows happen at scheduled times and are the tower's most memorable experience. Check the schedule and time your visit accordingly.
Plan Your Visit
How Long to Visit
15-20 minutes (climb up, see drums, view, descend
30-45 minutes (including a drum performance and photo time
Drum Tower + Bell Tower combo, then Muslim Quarter food walk
Smart Route
Arrive late afternoon
Buy combo ticket (Drum Tower + Bell Tower, ¥50)
Climb the Drum Tower
Watch a drum performance if timing aligns
Enjoy the view toward the Bell Tower and Muslim Quarter
Descend and walk to the Bell Tower (260m east, 5 minutes)
Visit the Bell Tower for the elevated crossroads view
Return to the Drum Tower area as darkness falls
Photograph the illuminated towers
Walk into the Muslim Quarter for an evening food crawl.
Best Time to Visit
Late afternoon (4:00-5:00 PM) to see the tower in golden light, then stay for the night illumination
Midday in summer — the exposed base area is hot and the climbing is uncomfortable
By Season
Spring
Festival) transforms the area with hundreds of handmade lanterns, drum performances, and special food stalls — the most atmospheric time to visit. Autumn (September-October) has the most comfortable weather.
Summer
is hot. Winter evenings are cold but the illumination is stunning.
Autumn
(September-October) has the most comfortable weather. Summer is hot.
Winter
Visit just before sunset. Photograph the tower in golden light, watch it transition to night illumination, then walk into the Muslim Quarter for an evening food tour. This sequence is the quintessential Xi'an evening.
What to Skip
The souvenir shops inside the tower sell standard tourist items at marked-up prices. If you're not catching a drum performance and have limited time, the exterior view and Muslim Quarter food walk are more valuable than the interior visit.
Pro Tips
Buy the combo ticket even if you're not sure about the Bell Tower — it's only 10 RMB more and gives you flexibility. Ask at the ticket window about drum performance times. Come hungry — the Muslim Quarter food crawl after the tower visit is one of China's best street food experiences.
Photo Spots
The plaza between Drum Tower and Bell Tower
At night, stand in the center of the plaza to capture both illuminated towers — the Drum Tower behind you and the Bell Tower ahead (or vice versa). Use a wide-angle lens to get both in frame.
Looking north from the Drum Tower top into the Muslim Quarter
At dusk or night, the view north shows the lantern-lit entrance to the food street with vendors and crowds streaming below. The warm chaos of the quarter framed by the tower's ancient architecture is a powerful composition.
Street-level looking up at the Drum Tower at night
Stand at the base looking up with a wide-angle lens. The warm golden lighting on the wooden eaves against the dark sky creates a dramatic sense of scale.
Pair With
Bell Tower (钟楼)
5-minute walk east
The Drum Tower's historical partner — they form China's most complete 'morning bell, evening drum' timekeeping pair. 260 meters apart with a combo ticket available.
Muslim Quarter food crawl (回民街美食)
0 minutes — walk straight through
The Drum Tower is literally the gateway to one of China's greatest food streets. Lamb skewers, hand-pulled biangbiang noodles, roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), persimmon cakes — the list is endless.
Xi'an City Wall (城墙)
10-minute walk to the nearest wall entrance
Rent a bike and cycle the complete 14 km loop of China's best-preserved ancient city wall. The wall is visible from the Drum Tower and just a 10-minute walk south.
Tickets & Access
Drum Tower only
Interior access, drum collection, and city views
Combo ticket (Drum Tower + Bell Tower)
Best value — saves ¥10 vs. buying separately
Exterior viewing and Muslim Quarter
The night illumination and Muslim Quarter access cost nothing
Opening Hours
Approximately 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (varies seasonally, may extend to 9:00 PM in peak season). Night illumination visible from outside anytime after dark.
How to Buy
Walk-up purchase. Cash and mobile payment accepted. The combo ticket can be used at either tower first.
Passport: No passport needed.
Queue Situation
Minimal queues most of the time. Holiday periods may have 10-15 minute waits. Drum performances can draw small crowds inside.
Tips & Warnings
The interior visit is brief — don't expect a lengthy experience
Multiple reviewers note the visit takes only 10-20 minutes and some feel the 30 RMB is overpriced. Set expectations: you're paying for the drum collection, the performance (if timed right), and the view. The exterior at night and the Muslim Quarter are the real draws.
The Muslim Quarter food street can be touristy and overpriced
The main Beiyuanmen Street is packed and prices are inflated. Walk two blocks to the parallel side streets (Dapiyuan, Xiaopiyuan) for better food at local prices. Outside the city wall at An Yuan Gate (安远门), food is cheaper and more authentic. If you want specific restaurant recommendations based on what you're craving, or need help reading menus on the side streets, drop us a message — our team knows the Muslim Quarter well and can point you to the stalls worth lining up for.
Night illumination timing varies
The towers are lit up after dark, typically until around 8:00-10:00 PM. In summer, this means quite late. Plan accordingly — if you want night photos, you may need to wait for full darkness.
The Drum Tower and Bell Tower are not connected by a pedestrian tunnel
You need to cross a busy road between the two towers. Use the underground pedestrian passage (accessible from the metro station area) rather than jaywalking across the major intersection.
What to Bring
Wear
Casual clothing. Comfortable walking shoes — you'll be on your feet for the tower visit and the Muslim Quarter walk. Light layers in autumn/spring; warm coat in winter evenings.
Bring
Camera (especially for night photos). Empty stomach for the food street. Cash for street food. Phone with mobile payment set up. Portable charger.
Don't Bring
No special equipment needed. Minimize valuables due to crowded Muslim Quarter.
Physical Reality
light
The tower climb is a relatively short staircase to the upper platform. The total elevation is modest. The Muslim Quarter walk is flat. Overall physical demand is light — suitable for nearly everyone.
Foreigners Watch Out
- The Drum Tower is right at Zhonglou (Bell Tower) metro station on Lines 2 and 6 — very easy to reach by public transport.
- The Muslim Quarter is one of the most foreigner-friendly food experiences in China. Vendors are used to tourists, you can point at food to order, and English is occasionally spoken. But keep your wallet secure — pickpockets work the crowded main street.
- The Drum Tower interior exhibition has limited English descriptions. The drum performances, however, need no translation — pure rhythm and energy.
- Street food in the Muslim Quarter is halal (清真) — you won't find pork here, but the lamb, beef, and pastry options are extraordinary.
- Cash is useful for Muslim Quarter street food — while many vendors accept mobile payment, some smaller stalls prefer cash. If you're having trouble paying at a vendor or need help communicating a food allergy or dietary requirement, message our concierge and we can translate in real time or call the vendor directly on your behalf.
If Things Go Wrong
Missed the drum performance timing
→ The performances repeat several times during operating hours. Check the schedule posted at the entrance and come back at the next showing. In the meantime, explore the drum collection and enjoy the view.
Tower is closed or tickets sold out for the day
→ The exterior night view is equally impressive and free. Walk around the base, take photos from the plaza, and head straight into the Muslim Quarter for the food experience.
Muslim Quarter is overwhelmingly crowded
→ Turn off the main Beiyuanmen Street into the side streets — Dapiyuan, Xiaopiyuan, and Huajue Xiang are parallel streets with far fewer tourists and equally good (often better) food.
Useful Chinese
Tap to reveal the English meaning