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, 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...