2025 Best Things to Do in China: Xi'an Drum Tower

Hunting for the heart of ancient Xi’an? The Drum Tower is a must! This 600-year-old gem isn’t just a pretty building—it’s where history comes alive with drumbeats, delicious food, and stunning views. Whether you’re into culture, food, or photography, this spot is packed with things to do in Xi’an that’ll make your trip unforgettable. Let’s dive in!

1. Why the Drum Tower Steals the Show

Imagine a 600-year-old tower that used to tell the whole city when to wind down for the day—meet Xi’an's Drum Tower! Built in 1380 during the Ming Dynasty, it’s one of China’s most impressive timekeeping monuments. Back in the day, huge drums were beaten at sunset to mark the end of the day, which is where the Chinese saying “morning bell, evening drum” comes from.

This tower isn’t just about time, though. It shows off ancient China’s clever urban planning (every big city had bell and drum towers to keep daily life on track!) and Xi’an’s role as a Silk Road hub. And the best part? The drum traditions live on—you can watch daily performances that make history feel real. 🎵

2. Climbing the Tower: Hours & Tickets

a. When to Visit

Peak Season (April 1 – October 10): 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM (last entry 9:00 PM)
Off-Peak Season (October 11 – March 31): 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM)

Pro tip: Visit in the evening! The tower lights up, and you can catch the drum performance—magic!

b. Tickets: Save Money with Combos

Single Tower Ticket: ¥30
Combo Ticket (Drum Tower + Bell Tower): ¥50 (way better value—you’ll want to see both!)
Where to buy: On-site booths, Trip.com, Klook, or the official WeChat mini-program. Mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat Pay) work too!
ID needed: Bring your passport—foreign visitors need it to enter (digital copies might work with booking confirmations).

3. Inside the Drum Tower: What to Explore

a. Floors & Exhibitions

First Floor (Main Hall):
- 24 fancy drums representing China’s 24 solar terms—each decorated with vibrant patterns.
- Timekeeping history! Check out ancient water clocks, hourglasses, and old tools that kept Xi’an on schedule.
- Ming & Qing Dynasty artifacts: Furniture, porcelain, and paintings that tell stories of the past.
Second Floor (Gallery Level):
- A drum museum with drums from all over China—some are over 1,000 years old! 🥁
- Learn how the tower was built and restored—total architectural eye candy.
- The performance space: Where the daily drum shows happen (don’t miss it!).

b. The Star: The Central Drum

In the middle of the tower, there’s a massive modern drum (2.5m in diameter!)—China’s largest functional drum. The original Ming Dynasty drums are displayed nearby, carefully preserved. Want a photo with a drum? There’s a special one near the entrance (small fee, totally worth it for the pic!).

4. Photography Tips: Capture the Magic

a. Best Spots for Stunning Shots

South Square: Get the full tower with Xi’an’s modern skyline in the background—perfect for showing old-meets-new Xi’an.
Upper-Level Arched Windows: Frame the nearby Bell Tower through traditional Chinese architecture—*so* Instagram-worthy. 📸
Drum Performance Area: Action shots during the evening show with dramatic lighting—captures the energy perfectly.
Street Level (North Guangji Street): Classic angles of the tower’s impressive base and curved rooflines.

b. Lighting: When to Snap

The tower lights up daily from 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM—warm golden glow + ancient architecture = magic.
Golden hour: 6:30-7:30 PM—natural light fades, and the tower’s lights shine bright. Pro tip: This is when photos look their best!

5. Food Adventures: Muslim Quarter Delights

The best part? The famous Muslim Quarter is just a 5-minute walk away—foodie heaven! Here’s what to try:

Yangrou Paomo (羊肉泡馍): Hearty lamb stew with bread chunks. Head to Tongsheng Xiang on Beiyuanmen Street (¥35-45). Break the bread into tiny pieces—locals say it absorbs more flavor! 🍲
Roujiamo (肉夹馍): Xi’an’s “Chinese hamburger”—flaky bread stuffed with braised beef or lamb. Fan Ji La Zhi RouJiaMo on Zhubashi Street does it best (¥15-20). 🍔
Biang Biang Noodles: Thick, hand-pulled noodles with spicy sauce. Grab them from stalls on Beiyuanmen Street (¥25-35). Fun fact: The “biang” character has 56 strokes—one of China’s trickiest! 🍜

Bonus Bites in the Area

Drum Tower Market: Across the street, try hulatang (spicy pepper soup, ¥8-12) or jinggao (sweet rice cakes, ¥5-8) from street stalls.
Liangpi: Cold skin noodles—refreshing on hot days (¥10-15).

6. Getting There: Easy Peasy Transportation

Metro: Super convenient! Take Line 2 to Zhonglou (Bell Tower) Station (Exit B)—5-minute walk to the Drum Tower.
Buses: Lines 15, 201, 215, 218 and more lines at Zhonglou Xi (Bell Tower West) Station
Taxis/Rideshares: Use DiDi (English app!) or grab a taxi from the South Square stand. Short rides in the city center cost ¥15-30.

7. Nearby Attractions to Add On

Bell Tower: Just 353m away (8-minute walk!)—connected by an underground passage. Grab the combo ticket to visit both!
Great Mosque: 383m from the Drum Tower (8-minute walk)—stunning Chinese-Islamic architecture and peaceful courtyards.
Muslim Quarter: Adjacent to the tower—wander food stalls, shop for crafts, and soak up the vibe.
Xi’an City Wall: 3.3km away—take a taxi (12 minutes) to the South Gate, rent a bike, and enjoy panoramic views.

8. Perfect Itineraries for Your Xi’an Tour

a. Landmark Explorer (Half-Day: 4-5 hours)

9:00 AM: Explore Drum Tower exhibitions and climb to the top (1 hour)

10:30 AM: Coffee break at a nearby café (30 mins)

11:00 AM: Walk to Bell Tower via underground passage (1 hour)

12:30 PM: Lunch at Tongsheng Xiang in Muslim Quarter (1 hour)

2:00 PM: Visit Great Mosque (1 hour)

3:30 PM: Return to Drum Tower for sunset photos + evening drum show

b. Culture & Food Evening (3-4 hours)

4:00 PM: Snack in Muslim Quarter—start with roujiamo (1 hour)

5:30 PM: Tour Drum Tower exhibitions (1 hour)

6:30 PM: Golden hour photos from South Square (30 mins)

7:00 PM: Watch the evening drum performance (10 mins)

7:30 PM: Dinner of yangrou paomo at a traditional restaurant (1 hour)

9. Final Tips for a Great Visit

Combo ticket = better value: Save ¥10 by getting Drum + Bell Tower tickets together.

Catch the drum show: 7:00 PM daily—it’s short (10 mins) but so cool.
Wear comfy shoes: You’ll walk a lot, especially in the Muslim Quarter.
Bring your passport: Required for entry—no exceptions!
Cash handy: Small food stalls in the Muslim Quarter might not take cards.

The Xi’an Drum Tower isn’t just a historic site—it’s one of the best Xi’an attractions where ancient traditions meet modern fun. From drumbeats echoing through the streets to mouthwatering noodles in the Muslim Quarter, it’s a slice of Xi’an’s soul you won’t want to miss. So grab your camera, your appetite, and get ready to make memories—this 600-year-old icon is waiting to welcome you! 🌟