With its commanding presence in Xi'an, the ancient capital of China, the Bell Tower is the largest and best-preserved of its kind. Standing at 36m, it was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. Legend has it that he wanted to suppress a dragon in the river which had been causing earthquakes, and supposedly, the Bell Tower worked. With hints of gold interlaced amongst green glazed tiles, this landmark is an impressive sight to behold.

Though the original 6500kg Jingyun Bell, which was casted during the Tang Dynasty, has since been relocated to the Steles Museum, a smaller replica was made to take its place. With decorations and inscriptions resembling the original, the sound produced is also said to be similar. Revel in the exquisite woodcarvings on each door of the tower, which depicts ancient Chinese folklore since the Qing and Ming Dynasties. Don't forget to catch the regular performances in this historic place too, and dine at the many eateries in the vicinity.