Stay at Jianguo Puyin - Xi'an Bell Tower Yongningmen Subway Station Hotel and visit the Xi'an Beilin Museum

Jianguo Puyin - Xi'an Bell Tower Yongningmen Wangfujing Hotel is located on the 7th floor of Wangfujing Department Store near Xi'an's South Gate. Situated outside the Yongningmen Gate, known as the "Welcoming Gate of China," the hotel's elegant Chinese-style design offers a serene escape amidst the bustling city center. Just a 200-meter walk away, you can climb the majestic Ming Dynasty city walls, admire the shimmering moat, and explore the ancient charm of the Beilin Museum and Shuyuanmen Cultural Street. Today, we recommend visiting the Xi'an Beilin Museum, only a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel's tranquil and comfortable environment will add vibrant colors to your Xi'an journey. The Beilin Museum, located at No. 15 Sanxue Street, Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, is a national first-class museum. Established in 1944, it is the earliest museum in Shaanxi. As China's first art museum dedicated to collecting, researching, and exhibiting ancient steles, epitaphs, and stone carvings, it is also a sacred site for Chinese calligraphy. Its origins trace back to the 900-year-old Xi'an Beilin, built in 1087 during the Northern Song Dynasty to preserve the "Kaicheng Stone Classics," "Shitai Filial Piety Classic," and famous calligraphy steles by masters like Yan Zhenqing and Liu Zongyuan. Relocated to its current site in 1103, it expanded over centuries into a specialized art museum. In 1953, the Confucian Temple was incorporated into the Shaanxi History Museum. In 1991, the new Shaanxi History Museum opened, and the Beilin became an independent museum—Xi'an Beilin Museum. By 2024, it houses 14,338 artifacts, including 2,264 precious cultural relics, with 8 exhibitions, 285 educational events, and 876,800 visitors annually. In May 2008, it was rated among China's first batch of national first-class museums. In October 2018, it was named a "National Research and Practice Education Base for Primary and Secondary Students." On March 17, 2025, it was listed among the first batch of state-owned public welfare collection units. **Opening Hours:** Peak season (March–November): 8:00 AM–6:30 PM; Off-season (December–February): 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (subject to official website updates). **Guided Tours:** Manual and audio guides are available. Advance booking or joining a guided tour is recommended for deeper cultural insights. **Transportation:** Take Subway Line 2 to Yongningmen or Bell Tower Station (15-minute walk), or multiple bus routes (e.g., 14, 23, 40). **Nearby Attractions:** - **City Wall Scenic Area:** Walk to Yongningmen Gate of the Ming Dynasty walls for cycling. - **Shuyuanmen Cultural Street:** A quaint street near the museum with traditional stationery and art shops. - **Bell & Drum Towers and Muslim Quarter:** About 2 km away, perfect for combined sightseeing. That concludes today's travel guide and museum introduction. Thank you for reading, and we hope it helps with your trip! 😊