Drum Tower of Xi'an

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Drum Tower of Xi'an

Historical Site

The Drum Tower of Xi'an is a Ming-dynasty drum tower rising above the city center and traditionally paired with the nearby bell tower to mark the hours. Travelers visit for the historic drums, the rooftop view over the old city, and the vibrant Drum Tower Muslim District nearby.

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Drum Tower of Xi'an essentials

Address: Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

The Drum Tower was erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty and stands in the heart of the old city as a historic symbol of Xi’an. It forms a historic pair with the nearby Bell Tower and has for centuries played a timekeeping role for the city. The building houses a large set of drums that were used to signal evening hours and rhythm civic life.

On the tower’s outer terrace there are 24 smaller drums inscribed with the traditional 24 solar terms of the lunisolar calendar, and the hall contains the so-called Wentian Drum (made in 1996), which was claimed at the time to be the largest cowhide drum in the world. The drums are presented as part of a bell-and-drum performance that illustrates the old timekeeping practice. The tower’s central location makes these displays easy to combine with walks through the surrounding streets.

Visiting the Drum Tower involves climbing its internal steps to reach viewing platforms that look out over the old city and the nearby Bell Tower of Xi’an. The Drum Tower sits at the edge of the Drum Tower Muslim District, so many visitors pair a visit with exploring the district’s narrow streets and food stalls and a stop at the nearby Great Mosque of Xi’an. Check local information for ticketing and opening days before you go.

  • Wentian Drum: A modern large cowhide drum installed in 1996 and displayed in the main hall as a showpiece.
  • 24 solar-term drums: Rows of smaller drums on the terrace are each inscribed with one of the traditional 24 solar terms of the Chinese lunisolar calendar.
  • Rooftop views: The tower’s upper terraces provide framed views across the old city and toward the neighboring Bell Tower.
  • Drum-and-bell performance: Short demonstrations pair the drums with the Bell Tower’s instruments to show how time was signaled historically.
  • Drum Tower Muslim District: The streets below offer a lively atmosphere of stalls and eateries that reflect the neighborhood’s Muslim heritage.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Drum Tower of Xi'an#

Xi'an has cold, relatively dry winters and hot summers with substantial summer rainfall; spring and autumn are transitional with milder weather. Choose a season based on whether you prefer drier, cooler conditions or warmer weather.

Winter (best)
November - February · -4°C - 12°C (25°F - 54°F)
Cool and generally dry conditions make climbing the tower and seeing long-distance views more comfortable; expect colder weather but fewer heavy rains.
Spring (pleasant)
March - May · 3°C - 26°C (37°F - 79°F)
Temperatures warm and the weather is generally pleasant, though rainfall begins to increase toward late spring.
Summer (hot and wet)
June - August · 19°C - 32°C (66°F - 90°F)
Summer brings the highest rainfall and humid, hot conditions, so sightseeing can be less comfortable and occasional downpours are likely.

Weather & Climate near Drum Tower of Xi'an#

Climate

Drum Tower of Xi'an's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Moderate rainfall (631 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 151 Unhealthy
Best Time to Visit
AugustJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
43°
Warmest Month
-15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Acceptable -4° - 5° -2° 10 mm partly cloudy 61% 1.7 m/s 0.4 low 10.0h
February Acceptable -1° - 8° 1° 12 mm partly cloudy 60% 2.3 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Good 3° - 14° 7° 31 mm partly cloudy 54% 2.2 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.8h
April Good 9° - 21° 15° 49 mm overcast 51% 2.1 m/s 1.3 high 12.9h
May Very Good 14° - 26° 20° 66 mm overcast 51% 1.7 m/s 1.6 very high 13.8h
June Very Good 19° - 31° 25° 63 mm overcast 53% 1.7 m/s 1.7 very high 14.3h
July Very Good 22° - 32° 27° 109 mm partly cloudy 61% 1.7 m/s 1.7 very high 14.1h
August Very Good 21° - 30° 25° 83 mm partly cloudy 64% 1.7 m/s 1.4 high 13.3h
September Very Good 16° - 25° 20° 98 mm overcast 69% 1.5 m/s 1.1 high 12.3h
October Good 10° - 19° 14° 68 mm partly cloudy 67% 1.4 m/s 0.8 moderate 11.2h
November Good 3° - 12° 7° 31 mm partly cloudy 65% 1.6 m/s 0.5 low 10.2h
December Acceptable -2° - 6° 0° 11 mm partly cloudy 60% 1.6 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Drum Tower of Xi'an#

The Drum Tower sits in central Xi’an near the city center; it is a short walk from the Bell Tower and from many hotels in the historic core. The nearest major airport is Xi’an Xianyang International Airport; long-distance rail arrives at the city’s main railway stations (for example Xi’an Railway Station or Xi’an North High-Speed Railway Station), from where the tower is a taxi or metro ride into the center.

From the city center the tower is easily reached on foot, by short taxi ride or by metro to a central stop; the last stretch is best covered on foot to enjoy the surrounding streets and markets. Check local transport maps and schedules for the most convenient metro line and exits.

Tips for Visiting Drum Tower of Xi'an#

  • Combine this visit with the adjacent Bell Tower and a walk through the Drum Tower Muslim District.
  • Wear comfortable shoes - interior stairs and wooden boards on the terraces can be steep and uneven.
  • The drums are presented in demonstrations; check locally for the performance times on the day you visit.
  • Summertime can be hot and wet, so carry water and an umbrella if visiting June to August.
  • Morning or late afternoon visits give softer light for photos and can be less crowded than midday.