The Bell and Drum Tower

The Bell and Drum Tower is situated on the Di'anmen Wai Avenue, Dongcheng District. It used to be the national time service center in three dynasties——Yuan, Ming, and Qing, when it would issue the standard Beijing time every day. Well preserved, it is important for research into the layout of the ancient capital and bell and drum towers.

As a landmark of Beijing in ancient times, the tower is composed of two parts——the bell tower in the north and the drum tower in the south. It covers an area of some 13,000 square meters. The bell tower was first built in 1271, or the 9th year of Zhiyuan reign in the Yuan Dynasty, and was rebuilt in 1420, or the 18th year of Emperor Yongle's reign in the Ming Dynasty. The present building was completed in 1747, or the 12th year of Qianlong. It is 47.9 meters high, with a double-eave roof covered with black glazed tiles and framed with green ones. It is the only large beamless arch building fully made of brick and stone that remains in China. It is a masterpiece of blending architecture and acoustics among ancient Chinese buildings. On its second floor is hung a 63-ton bronze bell made in Emperor Yongle's reign in the Ming Dynasty, known as the King of Ancient Bells. It is important for research into ancient metallurgy and techniques of making large bronze wares.

The drum tower, originally named Qizheng Tower, was first built in 1272 and rebuilt in 1420. The present building was built in 1539, or the 18th year of Emperor Jiajing's reign in the Ming Dynasty. It is 46.7 meters high, with a triple eave roof covered with gray pipe tiles and framed with green glazed tiles. It is a large brick-and-wood building, and the largest of its kind in China. On its second floor there used to be 25 night-watch drums. A large drum stands for the year, while 24 smaller ones stand for the 24 solar terms. All the smaller ones have been lost, and now only the biggest one remains. Its surface, with a diameter of about 1.5 meters, is made of a whole cowhide. The scars on it were left by Japanese soldiers when the Eight Power Allied Force invaded Beijing. Also lost is a bronze chronograph. The bell and drum had provided time service for 652 years.

After 1924, the bell and drum tower served for education and entertainment of Beijing citizens. For a while it was called Know-Disgrace Tower, for it kept pictures, relics, and models attesting to massacres and pillages perpetrated by the Eight Power Allied Forces in the city. Today, to carry on tradition, the relic administration of the tower has reproduced the bronze chronograph and the 25 night-watch drums, so that the tower may resume its time service. The demonstration of how the chronograph works, the beating of night-watch drums, and the chiming of the bell around the New Year have attracted more and more tourists from the world. Besides, the tower commands the best bird's eye view of Beijing.

Address: No.9, Linzi Zhonglouwan, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Publishes at : 07-09-23 22:04

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