Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
including the nine Confucian classics and some exemplary calligraphy. The
second gallery holds a Nestorian tablet (AD 781), the earliest recorded ac-
count of Christianity in China.
The highlight, though, is the fantastic sculpture gallery (across from the gift
shop), which contains animal guardians from the Tang dynasty, pictorial tomb
stones and Buddhist statuary.
To get to the museum, follow Shuyuan Xiang east from the South Gate.
BELL TOWER & DRUM TOWER
Zhong Lou; admission ¥27, combined Drum Tower ticket ¥40;
8.30am-9.30pm Mar-Nov, to 6pm Dec-Feb)
sits at the heart of Xi'an and origin-
ally held a large bell that was rung at dawn, while its alter ego, the
Drum
bined Bell Tower ticket ¥40; 8.30am-9.30pm Mar-Nov, to 6pm Dec-Feb)
,
marked nightfall. Both date from the 14th century and were later rebuilt in the
1700s (the Bell Tower initially stood two blocks to the west).
Historic Sites
Outside the City Walls
Xi'an is one of the few cities in China where the old city walls are still standing.
Built in 1370 during the Ming dynasty, the 12m-high walls are surrounded by a
dry moat and form a rectangle with a perimeter of 14km.
Museum
SHAANXI HISTORY MUSEUM
( Shanxi Lishi Bowuguan; 91 Xiaozhai Donglu; 8.30am-6pm Tue-Sun Apr-
Oct, last admission 4.30pm, 9.30am-5pm Tue-Sun Nov-Mar, last admission
4pm)
Shaanxi's museum is often touted as one of China's best, but if you
come after visiting some of Xi'an's surrounding sights you may feel you're not
seeing much that is new.
The number of visitors is limited to 4000 a day (2500 tickets are distributed
in the morning starting at 8.30am and another 1500 in the afternoon starting at
1.30pm), so get here early and expect to queue for at least 30 minutes. Make
