Bell Tower

The Bell Tower, a remarkable symbol of Xian, is located in the center of city where the four main streets intersect. The 36-meter (118 ft) high tower was built on a square base with a length of 35.5 meters (116.4 ft) in each side covering an area of about 1377.4 sq meters (0.34 acres).

Why it is called Bell Tower?
The Bell Tower is the largest and also the best preserved one among the existing bell towers in China. There is a huge bell hanging on the roof of the tower which was traditionally used to tell the time by, hence the name Bell Tower.

Structure & Style of Bell Tower
The bell tower stands on a 8.6 meter-high square-shaped base which is laid with blue bricks so that it will be kept from dampness and water. The 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. You will also be very surprised to find no nails used in this tower.

The colored and painted columns and crossbeams are joined by typical wooden brackets, called Dou Gong. This unique Chinese bracket not only makes building firm, but also makes it look more artistic.

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 the old tower 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. If you climb to the top of the tower, you will have a full view of downtown. It is a place definitely worth to visit for tourists.