Bell Tower Hotel Xi’an has one of the best addresses for sightseeing on foot. It stands at 110 Nandajie, in the Beilin district at the heart of the old town, and the Drum Tower is only a few minutes’ walk away, with the Great Mosque and the Muslim Quarter just beyond. The Bell Tower itself is a short stroll, and the City Wall is two minutes by car. The hotel has a Chinese restaurant, the Tower Garden, a bar and lounge, a garden, a sauna and a small arcade, giving it a traditional full-service feel that suits mid-range budgets. It is a good fit for first-time visitors who want to leave the door and be in the thick of the action, and for travellers who prefer a hotel with some character over a large international brand. Rooms vary in age and style, so read recent reviews and request a quiet room.
Location and getting around
The Drum Tower is around a three-minute walk, the Great Mosque about four minutes and the Bell Tower about six. Zhonglou metro station is about eight minutes on foot, Xi’an Railway Station is around thirteen minutes by car and the airport about forty-three minutes. The City Wall is a two-minute drive, or a short walk to the South Gate for cycling.
Rooms and facilities
The hotel offers a range of rooms, with the usual comforts of air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a 24-hour front desk. On site you will find a Chinese restaurant, the Tower Garden, a bar and lounge, a sauna, a piano, a garden and a small game room. There is a convenience store, a gift shop and laundry service, and 24-hour room service. Breakfast is available for a fee, and parking is charged by the night.
Who it suits
First-time visitors, couples and friends who want old-town convenience, and anyone who values walking to the evening street food. Families can make good use of the central location, though the facilities are more traditional than at the large resort-style hotels. Light sleepers should request a higher floor or a room away from the street, since the old town is lively in the evening.
Good to know
Check-in starts at noon and runs late, which is convenient for evening arrivals. The front desk can arrange tickets for the Tang dynasty show, bike hire for the City Wall and drivers for the Terracotta Army. Because the lanes around the hotel are busy, give taxi drivers the address in Chinese, and plan to walk the last stretch if traffic is heavy.
Why stay here
- ✓Chinese restaurant
- ✓Tower Garden
- ✓Bar and lounge
- ✓Sauna
- ✓Garden
- ✓24-hour room service
- ✓24-hour front desk
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
Good questions
How close is it to the Drum Tower and Muslim Quarter?+
The Drum Tower is about a three-minute walk and the Great Mosque about four, with the Muslim Quarter just beyond.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?+
Yes, there is a Chinese restaurant, the Tower Garden and a bar and lounge on site.
Is it good for first-time visitors?+
Yes, the walkable old-town location makes it easy to visit the towers, the mosque and the food streets without taxis.
