BELL TOWER— It’s just a 15-minute drive away.

The Bell Tower is a classical building with carved beams and painted rafters. It stands in the center of the downtown area where the North Street, the South Street, the East Street and the West Street meet. It houses a huge bell which was originally used to strike time every morning in ancient times. Ever since its establishment, it has become the symbol of Xi'an.

The Bell Tower was first built in the Yingxiang Temple in 1384, which used to mark the center of the city. It was moved to its present site in 1582 as a result of the city's expansion program.