Bell Tower of Xi’an

The Bell Tower, located at No. 49 Paofang Street, Beilin District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, is situated symmetrically with the Drum Tower on the east and west sides, behind the mountain gate and in front of the Hall of Heavenly Kings. It is an important building in the temple’s layout. Wangji Temple was first built in the first year of the Shenlong era of the Tang Dynasty (705 AD) as a royal temple built by Princess Taiping to pray for the well-being of her mother, Empress Wu Zetian. The Bell Tower has undergone numerous repairs and destructions throughout history; the existing tower is a recent reconstruction. Its architectural style is antique and elegant, with upturned eaves and roof ornaments, giving it a dignified and refined overall structure. The Bell Tower and Drum Tower echo each other from the east and west, forming the traditional “morning bell and evening drum” pattern. Behind the Bell Tower are the Guest Hall, the Hall of the God of Wealth, and other buildings, which, together with the Mahavira Hall and the Dharma Hall, constitute a complete temple layout. Wangji Temple, where the Bell Tower is located, is now a nunnery, a tranquil haven amidst the bustling Dongguan area of ​​Xi’an.