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The Bell Tower, is a stately traditional building, that marks the geographical center 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. During the Ming Dynasty, Xian was an important military town in Northwest China, a fact that is reflected in the size and historic significance of its tower.
The tower was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a way to dominate the surrounding countryside and provide early warning of attack by rival rulers.
The tower has three layers of eaves but only two stories. Inside, a staircase spirals up. The grey bricks of the square base, the dark green glazed tiles on the eaves, gold-plating on the roof and gilded color painting make the tower a colorful and dramatic masterpiece of Ming-style architecture. In addition to enhancing the beauty of the building, the three layers of eaves reduce the impact of rain on the building.
On the second floor, a plaque set in the west wall records the relocation of the tower in 1582. When it was first built in 1384, it stood near the Drum Tower on the central axis of the city, and continued to mark the center of the city since Tang Dynasty and the following the Five Dynasties and the Song and Yuan Dynasties. As the city grew, however, the geographical center changed. Therefore, in 1582, the Tower was moved 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) east of the original site. Except for the base, all parts are original, and history tells us that the relocation was accomplished quickly and inexpensively, making it a truly notable achievement in the architectural history in China.
Originally, the northwest corner of the tower housed the famous Jingyun Bell from the Tang Dynasty. Legend has it that although nothing had changed in the tower, the Jingyun Bell fell silent during the Ming Dynasty, so the current bell, a much smaller one weighing only 5 tons, was cast. The original Jingyun Bell can now be seen in Forest of Stone Steles Museum.
The engravings on the doors of the Tower reflect the decorative fashion of Ming and Qing Dynasties, recounting popular stories of ancient China.
On each side of the base, there is an arched door 6 meters (19.6feet) high. In the past, vehicles were allowed to pass through the arches and under the tower, but as the city has grown the volume of traffic has become too great, so a bright, spacious pedestrian subway has been constructed under the tower. The entrance to the tower is from this subway.
A fenced-in area around the tower is planted with grass and flowers. In early spring, the tender plum blossoms and bright new grass surrounding the old tower provide a harmonious contrast. Not far from the Tower, modern shopping malls and a brightly decorated square reveal the prosperity of the city. When night falls, lanterns hung from the eaves illuminate the tower, making it even more enchanting.
The Bell Tower definitely deserves a visit on your trip to Xian.
Note:
For detailed information on Dynasties, please refer to History of China
| Admission Fee: |
CNY 27
CNY 40 for Bell Tower and Drum Tower |
| Opening Hours: |
08:00 to 18:00 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit: |
One hour | |
| The Attraction Pictures |
 - PingYao
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Through coaching, I understand the original "Outward Bound" is a test of will and wisdom, and tap potential and teamwork spirit of the campaign, but its not completely belong to the scope of sports. Because of time constraints, we participated in the project, not many, but it is these small projects, let me come to understand the importance of teamwork.
The event, under the arrangement of the coaches being carried out in good order, and each item in the design and arrangement are very creative, especially after the end of each project experience and the experience of all the coaches comments, sum up, and people emotionally, popular inspired.
Most of the three projects is the project team, including the Broken Bridge is a project of self-challenge. Experienced in the challenges and stimulation, I was left to more reflection.
Broken Bridge, the challenge of personal self-item can be "terrifying" four words to sum up. Project design and organization is very simple, just two disconnect between the wooden planks to do a simple jump back and forth, but it was shelved two wooden planks in the eight, nine-metre high tree. On the ground looking at the rise of the distance between the two wooden boards, I feel very close distance, it seems that can be lightly leaped past. When their chatter Chanweiwei climbed to 8, 9-metre-high scaffold, narrow wooden planks come to the end of Looking at the opposite one another narrow wooden planks, I immediately silly. On the night so far? I wonder what their own, I can jump past? So in the narrow wooden planks, I will rise? Partial will jump? At this moment, the opposite is so far little wooden boards, I could not help but begging for the old coach, "do not jump?" The coach says it is the answer: "No!" He then used the relaxed tone said "Do you think so many Hom life are gone, this is a simple jump Suandeile? think yesterday's" dark, eyes closed "game until the final才被that you are" murderers " , reflecting the quality of your psychological well ah, jump! you must visit. "After listening to coach remarks, I relax a little, but fear still haunting the normal operation of the board to continue the stalemate. Almost 20 minutes later, no way, the coach said, "If we do not jump, I will push you!" I know that the posterior can be no retreat, so will Xinyiguang, Zongshen jumped results secured fallen on the The opposite appears to narrow board, a look back, not far ah, only one meter just……
"Air a small step, a big step in life", in fact, we will be in life often face such challenges, knowledge and skills is only tangible capital, is the will and spirit of the invisible forces. The activities of deep indeed, I think the most important thing is for our future work, study and life to inspire and guide. This is a valuable asset. |
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6 - Day Standard of Xian - Beijing 
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