Occupying a central place at the frantic bulls-eye intersection of Xi Dajie, Dong Dajie, Bei Dajie and Nan Dajie, the domineering form of the Bell Tower (钟楼, Zhōnglóu) originally housed a huge bell that was rung sonorously at dawn. When the impressive two-story wooden structure was first built in 1384 it stood about 1km away from where it is now. As Xi'an grew, the city center shifted, so the tower was moved to its current location in 1582. It is one of the largest and oldest such buildings in China.
The Bell Tower is magnificently illuminated at night, making it one of the city's best photo-ops come evening.
