Drum Tower (Gulou)
Drum Tower (Gulou)
4
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Built in 1384, this imposing tower was rebuilt after the 1949 Communist revolution.
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4.0
1,038 reviews
Excellent
320
Very good
485
Average
213
Poor
17
Terrible
3
ThaiCookingRocks
Changchun, China828 contributions
Dec 2020
There is much more to see here than there is at the Bell Tower, but its worth doing them both as it helps you imagine being part of Xi'an as a time when drums and bells helped dictate the life of the city from waking up, to closing and opening of the city gates.
At the Bell Tower, the inside just had lots of text panels, and pictures. Here there are many drums and drum types both inside and out. There was also a group of musicians that performed about 4-5 minus worth of music about every 45 minutes or so, and they were very good.
This is also right at the opening of the Muslim Quarter for those who want to visit there as well.
At the Bell Tower, the inside just had lots of text panels, and pictures. Here there are many drums and drum types both inside and out. There was also a group of musicians that performed about 4-5 minus worth of music about every 45 minutes or so, and they were very good.
This is also right at the opening of the Muslim Quarter for those who want to visit there as well.
Written 27 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan Linha
Chongqing, China166 contributions
Aug 2022
The drum tower is much better than the bell tower. More things to see, moreover, there is a performance. Several people dressed up in historical robes perform musical performance using only various kinds of hitting musical instruments, mostly old/ancient. Very good performance. No extra pay for watching it. Also nice views from the tower at the city center. In my opinion, it is worth the visit more than Bell Tower.
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dyhx
Singapore6,526 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Short walk from Exit 9 of Bell Tower metro station.
The Drum Tower was also used to indicate certain time periods. From opening of the city gate to the closing. "一更人，二更锣，三更鬼，四更贼，五更鸡". On 2 sides of the tower, it also hosts 24 drums, symbolising the 24 key Festivals in the lunar calendar.
There's also a 7 mins drum performance here in the middle of the tower at several times in the day and I was just there in time to catch the 1145am one. There's also a showcase here on the history of drums and how they are an integral part of the community, not just for 'general announcements' but also in festival celebrations.
Exiting from the Drum Tower, just round the corner at the back of it is 回坊 Muslim Quarter. Here, there's a mosque and mainly 2 long streets of local food/snacks, mostly halal.
The Drum Tower was also used to indicate certain time periods. From opening of the city gate to the closing. "一更人，二更锣，三更鬼，四更贼，五更鸡". On 2 sides of the tower, it also hosts 24 drums, symbolising the 24 key Festivals in the lunar calendar.
There's also a 7 mins drum performance here in the middle of the tower at several times in the day and I was just there in time to catch the 1145am one. There's also a showcase here on the history of drums and how they are an integral part of the community, not just for 'general announcements' but also in festival celebrations.
Exiting from the Drum Tower, just round the corner at the back of it is 回坊 Muslim Quarter. Here, there's a mosque and mainly 2 long streets of local food/snacks, mostly halal.
Written 20 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luis C
Doha, Qatar121 contributions
Dec 2020 • Couples
We went inside as we had some spared time. There are many drums and you can see the Muslim Quarter from above. Also, there's a musical show schedule at different times. That was a really nice surprise, as they played antique instruments.
Written 27 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maxim B
Ottawa, Canada847 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
Saw this together with the Bell Tower on a combined ticket. Small and easy to see site. Although, Xian's hazy air didn't make for good observations from the upper levels of the Tower.
Written 26 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cme1234
Singapore, Singapore1,076 contributions
Aug 2018
This attraction is located just in front of the Muslim quarters. This is a modest attraction which may be underwhelming for some. The performance was good but it was only for 15 mins. Please take note of the timings of the performance. I have attached a photo of the performance timings here.
Written 20 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew_Alin
Greater Adelaide, Australia1,626 contributions
Very photogenic from the outside, but the inside is a bit disappointing.
If you do choose to go in, try to time your visit around one of the regular performances scheduled.
If you do choose to go in, try to time your visit around one of the regular performances scheduled.
Written 13 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nr1379
London, UK64 contributions
Apr 2019
Beautiful at night. In the old days the bell would ring in the morning when the city gates were opened and the drums at night when they were closed. The Muslim quarter behind the drum tower is a must.
Written 20 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dutch
Palisades, WA26 contributions
Dec 2018
The history and the architecture is overwhelming. The views from the terraces are spectacular. A nice stop of a walking tour of this beautiful walled city.
Written 14 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travels With My HP
High Wycombe, UK331 contributions
Oct 2019
Standing on the edge of the Muslim Quarter and a couple of hundred metres from the Bell Tower the Drum Tower contains a selection of Drums and a small museum. Spectacularly lit after dark, that's when its at its most interesting.
Written 14 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Combo ticket is rmb 50 or rm 100?
Tq
Written 19 November 2019
I also cannot answer the question as my entrance was paid for by a private tour guide. As far as photographing the building, it's very tall and there are MANY intricacies that might be worth going in to photograph.
Written 17 December 2019
MedParadise82
Province of Castellon, Spain
Does anybody know the opening hours in summer? Thanks!
Written 11 May 2017
Does anybody know what time the shows are at the Drum Tower please
Written 31 January 2017
I found my pic on Tripadvisor. The performance times are 9:10, 10:00, 11:00, 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00. Be 30 minutes early as seats are very limited.
Written 31 January 2017
Can anybody confirm the winter opening hours? Some sources say 18:00, others say 22:00.
Thank you,
JT
Written 13 December 2016
I thought I would follow this up... obviously I checked the various websites for this attraction and got contradictory information. That's why I was asking for clarification here. Anyway, I just got back from Xi'an and both towers closed at 18:00. You can still enjoy seeing them from outside and walking around the area, but to go inside, you must visit before18:00.
Written 5 January 2017
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