Bell Tower, Xi'an

Located in the center of Xi'an and built in 1384, the Bell Tower is the symbol of the city. The tower base is square and covers an area of 1,377 square meters. It is 8.6 meters high and 35.5 meters wide and built completely with green bricks.

The tower was built completely with green bricks. The big iron Jinglong Bell on the tower was made in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and it weighs 2,500 kilograms. It has indicated the time for the city for more than 400 years.

Drum Tower, Xi'an

Located in the northwest of the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower is also the symbol of the city along with the Bell Tower. Erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty, it offers an incredible view of the city.

The tower got its name from the huge drum located within the building. In contrast to the Bell Tower, where bell rung at dawn, drum was rung at sunset at the Drum Tower.

On the Drum Tower's first floor, lies a hall with many large drums. Each is decorated with intrinsic and beautiful Chinese writing, which symbolizes good fortune. The impressive arrays are only on display and visitors are not allowed to touch. But there is an extra drum near the front entrance where visitors can pose for pictures for a small fee.

Admission fee: 27 yuan for the Bell Tower and 27 yuan for the Drum Tower; 40 yuan for the combined ticket of both towers.

Opening hours: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm (Apr. 1 - Oct. 31); 8:00 am - 5:30 pm (Nov. 1 - the next Mar. 31)

Bus routes: bus No. 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 29, 32, 35, 36, 203, 205, 206, 300, 302, 502, 600, K600, 603, 604, K605, 606, 608, 609, 611, 612, K618, K630, 706, Tourist Bus Line 7, Tourist Bus Line 8 (610), Airport Shuttle Bus No.1...and get off at Drum Tower or Bell Tower Stop.

Yellow Crane Tower, Wuhan

Standing on Sheshan (Snake Hill), at the bank of Yangtze River in Wuhan, Hubei Province, the Yellow Crane Tower is considered one of the Four Great Towers of China. Tourists can obtain a fine view of the Yangtze River from the top of it. It has the appearance of an ancient tower but was built with modern materials and includes an elevator. Displays are presented at each level. To the east on the hill, a large temple bell may be struck by tourists for a small fee.

Legend: There are at least two legends related to the tower. In the first, an immortal named Wang Zi'an rode off on a yellow crane from Snake Hill. A tower was later built in commemoration to it. In the second, after becoming an Immortal, Fei Wenyi would ride a yellow crane and often stop on Snake Hill to have a rest.

Admission fee: 80 yuan
Transportation: Take bus No.1, 4, 10, 61, 64, 108, 401, 402, 411, 413, 584...and get off at Huang He Lou (Yellow Crane Tower) station.

Penglai Pavilion, Penglai

Built in 1061, Penglai Pavilion is a famous tower in Penglai, Shandong Province. It is seated on the cliff of Danya Mountain close to the sea in the north of Penglai. Noted as one of the Four Great Towers of China, it is the resting place of the Eight Immortals according to the legend and famous for its occasional mirages. The dividing line between the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea is also marked and clearly visible from the area.

Admission fee: 70 yuan
Opening hours: 7:00 am -6:00 pm (in summer); 7:30 am -5:00 pm (in winter)
Transport: Take bus No.3 and get off at Penglaige Xiyuan Station.

Tengwang Pavilion, Nanchang

Located in the northwest of the city of Nanchang, Jiangxi Province and on the east bank of the Gan River, Tengwang Pavilion (The Pavilion of Prince Teng) is one of the Four Great Towers of China. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times over its history. The present building was rebuilt in 1989 on the original site.

Completed in 1989, the present pavilion is a landmark of Nanchang. It was built with reinforced concrete structure, but decorated in faux-Song Dynasty (960–1279) style. It is 57.5 meters tall and has nine floors. The building has a total floor area of 13,000 square meters.

Admission Fee: 50 yuan
Opening Hours: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm (Apr. 1 to Oct. 7); 8:00 am to 5:30 pm (Oct. 8 to Mar. 31)
Transport: take bus No.2, 7, 8, 26 or 302 and get off at Tengwangge Station.

Guanque Tower, Yongji

Endowed with location advantages and scenic beauty, Guanque (Stork Magpie) Tower is located in Yongji city, Shanxi Province. It occupies a land area of 1,700 mu, and has a total of six layers.

Literatis in Tang (618-907) and Song (960–1279) dynasties enjoyed the scenery and left many enduring poems, including Wang Zhihuan's "Landing Guanque Lou" Poetry. For thousand years, it inspired the revitalization of the Chinese ambition for the far-reaching implications.

Admission fee: 60 yuan

Grand View Tower, Kunming

Located at the Grand View Park in Kunming and built in 1883, the present square, three-storied Grand View Tower was a highlight in the park. It offers great views of the Dian Lake. It is also inscribed with a 180 character poem describing the beauty and history of the area. This poem is the longest of its kind in Chinese literature. The construction of the tower is a typical well-preserved wooden pagoda.

Admission fee: 20 yuan
Opening hours: 8 am – 6 pm
Transport: take bus No. 4, 22, 52, 95, 100, 104, 124, 131 or 183 and get off at Daguanlou Station.