西安钟楼源于唐代考

大量文献报道西安钟楼始于明代洪武年间，距今600多年。考察钟楼源于唐代。早在唐初，太极宫和大明宫已有钟楼。从名称、功能、作用，所悬之钟和钟楼的形制来看，唐代崇仁坊景龙观钟楼与金元明清的迎祥观钟楼及明清至今的钟楼有一脉相承的关系。因而西安钟楼已有1300年历史，是中国现存历史最悠久的钟楼，也是规模最大，最完整的钟楼。

Bell Tower in Xi'an-a Long-Standing History,Dating Back to Tang Dynasty

Many documents have recorded that Bell Tower in Xi'an can date back to Hongwu Period of Ming Dynasty. It has been as also as 600 years. Further investigation has revealed that it was built in Tang Dynasty. As early as the earlier Tang Dynasty, Taiji Palace and Daming Palace both had bell towers. From their names, functions, roles, hanging bells and shapes, they can be traced to the same origin from Tang, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. So, Bell Tower in Xi'an has been 1300 years, the longest existing one in Chinese history, and also the biggest and most complete one.