The Bell Tower of Xi'an

Shaanxi · China · Urban site

Xi'an's Bell Tower is said to have been moved once and for all — to cap the dragon that shook the city.

According to legend, Ming-era Xi'an was plagued by earthquakes, and learned men declared that a river dragon was writhing in an underground stream beneath the city's heart. In 1582 the governor therefore had the entire Bell Tower moved stone by stone to its present site, directly over the dragon's lair, so that the tower's weight and the toll of its bell would keep the beast fettered. As long as the tower stands, tradition says, the dragon lies still — but in older times it was whispered that during great tremors one could hear something vast shifting deep beneath the paving stones.

FAQ

Where is The Bell Tower of Xi'an located?

The Bell Tower of Xi'an is in Shaanxi, China.

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Accounts are drawn from local folklore and visitor reports.