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Xi'an Exploration: Bell Tower, Drum Tower & City Wall

XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall

Destination:ChinaCity:Xi'anPopulation: 13 million
XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall
travelshorts32 min

XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell. This was filmed by travelshorts. Watch the full journey and explore the filming details and destinations on this page.

We spend the day exploring Xi'an, the ancient capital of China, join us as we visit the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Walls and walk around this amazing Chinese City.

We start the day off at our hotel, before we go for a walk around this beautiful city.

We start at the Xian Bell Tower and what a fascinating attraction it is. The Xi'an Bell Tower, is a traditional building, that marks the geographical centre of the ancient capital. From this important landmark extend East, South, West and North Streets, connecting the tower to the East, South, West and North Gates of the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty.

The wooden tower, which is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China, is 36 meters (118 feet) high. It stands on a brick base 35.5 meters (116.4 feet) long and 8.6 meters (28.2 feet) high on each side.

We then walk over to the Xi'an Drum Tower another very impressive building in the centre of Xi'an. It was initially built in 1380 during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was renovated twice in 1699 and 1740 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is a two-storied post and panel structure, 34 meters (about 112 feet) high and 52.6 meters (about 172 feet) long from east to west as well as 38 meters (about 124 feet) wide from north to south.

We go for lunch in a local shopping mall and have a buffet, not very traditional I know but it keeps us all happy.

Then we catch the subway to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (also called Big Wild Goose Pagoda) is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists. It is located in the southern suburb of Xi'an City, about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the downtown of the city.

Unfortunately it is closed as it is after 5pm so we get a Dairy Queen and catch the subway back to the Xi'an City Wall.

Xi'an City Wall, also known as the Fortifications of Xi'an, is the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as...

--- travelshorts
August 3, 2024, Summer in China

Travel Guides & Tips in this video

Travelshorts' family explore Xi'an's historic landmarks, beginning at the Bell Tower and continuing to the Drum Tower. They use underground passages to avoid traffic, buy tickets and have lunch at a shopping mall. The Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is closed by the time they arrive, so they move on to the City Wall for an evening walk. Their day ends as they prepare for an overnight sleeper train to Shanghai. Their day also includes learning how combo tickets work, navigating the metro and adjusting when the pagoda is closed earlier than expected. The family turns that disappointment into an evening walk along the City Wall, then gets ready for the overnight sleeper train to Shanghai.

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XI'AN CHINA is NOT what we expected - Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Wild Goose Pagoda and City Wall

Bell Tower and Drum Tower

Travelshorts' family begin the seventh day of their China trip in Xi'an. They arrive at the Bell Tower and use an underground passage to reach it safely across busy traffic. The tower's timber construction, assembled without nails or screws, draws their attention. They learn about ticket options and then continue to the Drum Tower, which has similar architectural features and scale. Help at the ticket office makes the visit easier.

The family stop for lunch in a shopping mall, where a buffet offers a range of dishes and a modern contrast to the historic sites. Afterward, they travel toward the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda has closed earlier than they expected, which is disappointing, but they adjust their plans instead of ending the day.

City Wall and overnight train

The family go to Xi'an City Wall and enter at the South Gate. They walk part of the wall and enjoy the illuminated city views as evening arrives. The visit gives them a final historic stop before leaving Xi'an. They share practical information about tickets, subway routes and bike rental age limits, as well as a free PDF guide for accommodation and travel advice.

At the end of the day, they prepare for an overnight sleeper train to Shanghai. The video captures how a family trip can combine historic landmarks, a mall meal and an unplanned closure. The underground passages, sounds around the city and the family's reactions to food and architecture add personal details to their walk through Xi'an.

Their walk through the Bell Tower includes a look at the timber construction and the underground passage that allows pedestrians to avoid the busy road. They buy tickets with help at the self-service machines, then continue to the Drum Tower to compare its size and craft. After lunch in a shopping mall, they travel toward the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, only to discover it has closed. The family chooses another stop rather than ending the day, heading to the City Wall through Xi'an's metro system. At the South Gate they purchase entry tickets and walk part of the wall as the lights come on. They discuss the age requirement for renting bikes and share details from a downloadable guide to accommodation, sights, VPNs and e-SIMs. The trip ends with preparations for the sleeper train to Shanghai, a fitting close to a day that mixed old architecture, modern transport and unexpected changes.

The family gives practical details alongside their reactions. Underground walkways make the Bell Tower reachable without crossing the traffic above, and the combination ticket can reduce the cost of seeing both towers. They rely on Xi’an Metro between sites, then adapt when the pagoda is closed. At the City Wall, they use the South Gate entrance and note the minimum age for bike rentals. The family’s guide includes further trip planning details, including where they stayed and tools for internet access. Their final preparation for the Shanghai train marks a transition from Xi’an’s historic center to the next city.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How do you reach the Bell Tower safely?
A: Travelshorts use an underground passage near subway Exit 7 to avoid crossing the busy traffic above.
Q: Can you buy a combined ticket for the towers?
A: Yes. The source recommends a combo ticket for the Drum and Bell Towers, though the self-service machine may require help if you do not read Chinese.
Q: What happened at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda?
A: The family arrives after it has closed, so they change plans and go to the City Wall instead.

Previous travel video:

Xi'an Exploration: Bell Tower, Drum Tower & City Wall

We spend the day exploring Xi'an, the ancient capital of China, join us as we visit the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Walls and walk around this amazing Chinese City. We start the day off at our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Xi'an Bell Tower before we go for a walk around this beautiful city. We...

Xi'an Exploration: Bell Tower, Drum Tower, City Wall

Explore Xi'an, China's ancient capital! This captivating journey begins at the Holiday Inn Express Xi'an Bell Tower, before venturing into the heart of the city. Marvel at the Xi'an Bell Tower, a geographical centerpiece extending to the city's four gates. Ascend the impressive wooden structure, the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China. Next, witness the grandeur of the Xi'an Drum Tower, initially built in 1380 and renovated throughout history. Enjoy a local lunch before heading to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, a significant Buddhist site. Although closed upon arrival, the experience culminates with a stroll along the Xi'an City Wall, one of China's most well-preserved ancient fortifications.

Attractions in this video: Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Xian City Wall