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Ramada by Wyndham Bell Tower Hotel, Xi’an Review – A Perfect Base in the Heart of the City
- Jenn & Leon
- 10 hours ago
- 9 min read
We spent 8 nights at the Ramada by Wyndham Bell Tower Hotel in Xi’an, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable stay for our second visit to China.
This hotel combines modern comfort with a central location right by Xi’an’s famous Bell Tower, making it ideal for first-time visitors and longer stays.
In this post, we’ll share our full review of the hotel, its atmosphere, room experience, service, nearby food options, and why we rated this 4-star hotel as a 5-star experience in our books.
In This Post...
Travel Resources
Hotel Atmosphere & Style
The Ramada Bell Tower Hotel offers a modern, welcoming atmosphere.
The lobby feels polished and spacious, with complimentary tea, juices, and even free self-service laundry machines available to all guests.
There’s also a concierge who can arrange tours, a small fitness area, and even a traditional Chinese dress center where guests can rent cultural attire for photo sessions at the Bell Tower.
The service stood out: despite language barriers, staff were always helpful, and some spoke limited English at the front desk.
The lobby itself often felt like a hub, with locals and travelers mingling.
Location & Convenience
The hotel’s location is unbeatable. Sitting just a short walk from the Bell Tower, one of Xi’an’s most iconic landmarks, you’re in the heart of the city.
From here, food and convenience options are everywhere:
● Local Chinese restaurants serving famous Xi’an noodles and the city’s version of a Chinese burger (roujiamo).
● International spots like KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks, and Luckin Coffee.
● Several 7-Eleven convenience stores are within minutes.
● A fantastic billiards hall just a short walk away, open 24 hours, offering table service, free snacks, alcohol, and affordable rates (48 RMB per hour).
By night, street food stalls line the junctions outside the hotel, while the nearby morning market offers a bustling experience worth waking up early for.
💡 Good to know: Payment is easiest with WeChat Pay or Alipay. Link your foreign bank card before arrival, as identity verification is required for larger transactions. Once set up, you can pay everywhere via QR code, even at street stalls.
How to Get There
The hotel is about 40 km from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (roughly a 1-hour drive).
You can take a bus from the airport, which is excellent value at just under $4 USD per person. You can find out exactly how in our YouTube video.
We did mistakenly think that it would drop us outside the hotel, but this is not the case. Indeed, it stops at a small coach station just around the corner from the Bell Tower itself.
The walk is around 15 minutes, and it is a straight road after exiting the bus station to the left.
You will have to navigate the underground walkway beneath the Bell Tower, but aside from that, you just have to worry about busy sidewalks and the searing heat!
Taxis and private transfers are easy to book, though we recommend arranging transport through the hotel or a trusted app like Didi.
If you’re arriving by train, Xi’an Railway Station is just 10–15 minutes away by car.
🏨 Book your stay at the Ramada Xi'an Bell Tower.
💡 Look out for: Install a VPN before arriving in China to access Google Maps, Translate, and Western apps.
We used NordVPN (best with Japan or Singapore servers) and had seamless connectivity throughout our stay.
⚠️ A good point of note is to change to the OpenVPN (TCP) protocol in the settings for the best connection speed.
Room & Amenities
We initially booked a windowless room but were upgraded to a spacious room with a window after sharing our website and YouTube channel.
Here is a look at our original windowless room (cheaper than a windowed room):
Both rooms were clean, modern, and well-equipped:
● Multi-function lighting (though still a little dim overall).
● Good quality air-conditioning.
● Comfortable bed with a firm yet soft mattress and four pillows (a rare bonus).
● Sofa, desk, and wardrobe with plenty of storage.
● Mini fridge, kettle with tea and coffee, hairdryer, slippers, robes, and a security safe.
● Bathroom with bathtub (window room only) and overhead shower, plus complimentary bottled water stocked daily on every floor.
This was our second room, now with a window and facing the main high street:
The downsides? Poor soundproofing meant constant horn-honking from the road outside until around midnight.
Still, blackout curtains were excellent, making it easy to sleep once things quietened down.
🏨 Book your stay at the Ramada Xi'an Bell Tower.
🛜 WiFi is available but doesn’t work with a VPN, so we relied on GigSky eSIM data (great value, around $10 for 3 days) for unlimited internet.
Tips for Future Guests
● Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper, as Xi’an traffic noise is constant.
● Don’t overlook the free laundry machines, a huge perk for longer stays.
● Skip the hotel buffet and instead explore the local eateries right outside.
We loved Yuanji Cuisine, where Jenn had a delicious wonton soup and Leon enjoyed a spicy meat and rice dish. The roujiamo burger here was also excellent.
● Yuanji Cuisine, where Jenn had a delicious wonton soup and Leon enjoyed a spicy meat and rice dish. The roujiamo burger here was also excellent.
● Use Alipay or WeChat Pay for everything. Cash is rarely needed, and in our 10 days in China, we did not handle any at all.
Exploring the Area – Things to Do
Xi’an Bell Tower
Built in 1384 during the Ming Dynasty, this wooden structure once marked the city’s geographical center.
It was used to keep time and warn of danger. Today, it’s beautifully lit at night and remains one of Xi’an’s most visited landmarks.
Terracotta Warriors Tour
We booked through the hotel. Despite the driver being 45 minutes late, everything else went smoothly.
Entry was easy with just our passports. It takes about an hour to get there, with pick up and drop off, plus lunch and a guide provided.
Romance Park Xi’an Show
A cultural performance full of music, costumes, and history.
Tickets booked via the hotel were straightforward, and again, our passports worked as entry.
Xi’an Food Markets
The night food stalls just outside the hotel are a treat.
Don’t miss the chance to try fresh fruit and hand-pulled noodles fresh from the wok.
Personal Highlights
What stood out most was how well the hotel combined value, service, and location.
From free laundry to complimentary lobby drinks, the hotel consistently went beyond expectations.
Being able to walk out into the vibrant energy of Xi’an, grab late-night noodles, or stroll to the Bell Tower in minutes made our stay truly memorable.
Watch on YouTube
We are back in China after our 500k viral video — and our arrival in Xi’an didn’t go quite as planned.
Last year, in 2023, we spent just one night in China for Jenn’s birthday, and that video unexpectedly hit over half a million views.
This time, we’re here properly on a 10-day layover visa, with two cities on our list: Xi’an and Luoyang.
From glowing Bell Tower nights to the buzzing food bazaar, people in traditional dress, McDonald’s dinner, and even a pool game — this was not the arrival we expected, but it was the beginning of our China adventure.
Our Experience Rating:
Ramada Bell Tower Hotel
We rate the Ramada by Wyndham Bell Tower Hotel as 5 stars in our experience, despite its official 4-star classification.
For USD 50 per night, it offered everything we needed and more.
● Cleanliness: Daily cleaning and spotless rooms.
● Cost & Value: Excellent at $50 per night. No breakfast included, though.
● Food: Plenty of nearby options, far better than relying on the buffet. There is a vending machine in the lobby with noodles and drinks available, too.
● Location: Perfect for exploring central Xi’an, right next to the Bell Tower.
● Service: Friendly staff, easy tour bookings, and free extras like laundry.
● The Room: Comfortable, spacious, but with some noise and lighting limitations.
🏨 Book your stay at the Ramada Xi'an Bell Tower.
Related & Useful Links
Planning a trip to Xi’an or elsewhere in China? These guides and resources will help you get the most out of your travels:
● China Country Guide: Essential tips on visas, transport, connectivity, and more.
● Best eSIMs for Travel: Compare options like GigSky and Saily for reliable data in China.
● Travel Resources: Our go-to list of VPNs, insurance, banking, and booking tools.
● Hotel Reviews: More honest reviews from our stays across Asia and beyond.
● Terracotta Army Blog Post (coming soon – stay tuned!)
FAQ: Ramada by Wyndham Bell Tower Hotel, Xi’an
Where is the Ramada by Wyndham Bell Tower Hotel located in Xi’an?
It is in the very heart of Xi’an, just steps from the famous Bell Tower. The location makes it easy to explore both the old city and modern attractions.
How far is the hotel from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport?
About 40 km, which takes around 1 hour by car or taxi. The hotel can help arrange transfers if needed.
Does the hotel offer tours to the Terracotta Army?
Yes, the concierge desk can book tours directly. We arranged ours here, and entry was simple using just our passports.
Is English spoken at the hotel?
Some staff at the front desk speak English, and most are very helpful, even with limited language skills. Translation apps also work well with a VPN.
What are the rooms like?
Rooms are clean, modern, and well-equipped.
Expect comfortable beds, blackout curtains, a fridge, a kettle, and a bathroom with a bathtub and shower. Some rooms don’t have windows, so check your booking.
Is the WiFi reliable?
WiFi works, but not with a VPN.
For hassle-free internet access to Western apps, we recommend using an eSIM like GigSky.
What food options are nearby?
Plenty. From local noodle shops and the famous roujiamo “Chinese burger” to international brands like KFC, McDonald's, Starbucks, and Luckin Coffee. Night food stalls also line the streets right outside.
Does the hotel provide laundry service?
Yes, there are free self-service laundry machines in the lobby. This is rare for hotels in China and very convenient for longer stays.
How much does a stay cost?
We paid around USD 50 per night, which we consider excellent value for the location, service, and amenities.
Is the hotel noisy at night?
Traffic noise from the main road outside is noticeable until around midnight. Light sleepers may want to bring earplugs, though blackout curtains do help with sleep quality.
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