北京鼓楼和钟楼 — Attraction in Beijing

The Drum Tower (Gulou) was first built in 1272 during the reign of Kublai Khan and marked the center of the old Mongol Capital. Originally built of wood, the Drum Tower has been burned down several times and was rebuilt in 1420. Since then it has been repeatedly destroyed and restored. The Drum Tower is a two-story building with a height of 47 meters and 69 steep staircases. In ancient times the upper story of the Drum Tower used to house 25 drums, of which only the biggest one survives. The 24 smaller drums used to represent the 24 Solar Terms, while biggest one representing a year and has been destroyed partially. The present 25 drums are replicas according to the designs in the Qing Dynasty. There are seven rounds of drum beating ceremony being performed now. The performance is created according to the 24 Chinese Solar Terms to reflect changes of the four seasons as well as the agricultural life of ancient Chinese people. In the 1980s, after much repair, the Drum and Bell Towers were opened to the public. In ancient china, people divided the night into 5 Gengs, one Geng equals to 2 hours. Starting from Emperor Qianlong (1711-1799), the time was announced only twice in the evening: the first time was at the first Geng (19:00-21:00), the Drum would be beaten to mark the end of transportation with all the city gates closed; the second time would be at the fifth Geng (03:00-05:00), the Bell would be stroke and all the city gates would be opened. Colloquially, Chinese people called it “Down Bell, Dusk Drum”. The way of beating the Drum and striking the Bell is similar: 18 times of normal speed, 18 times faster, 18 times slower and repeat that again for 108 times striking or beating. Because the ancient Chinese used 108 to represent a year which is formed by 12 months, 24 Solar Terms and 72 Hou...

Standing at the northern heart of old Beijing, the Bell and Drum Towers rise not merely as relics of the past, but as monumental instruments that once synchronized the very rhythm of a civilization. In a world before ticking clocks and digital seconds, these towers were the pulse of the city — bold, resonant, and utterly essential.

Constructed during the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt through Ming and Qing dynasties, they represent the pinnacle of ancient Chinese timekeeping infrastructure. The bell tower, with its soaring stone base and commanding bronze bell, was once sounded at dawn. The drum tower, with its immense red drums, marked dusk. Together, they formed the day’s bookends — opening and closing the lives of emperors and merchants, monks and street vendors alike.

But what truly sets the Beijing complex apart is not only its monumental scale — the largest and tallest in the nation’s long tradition of such towers — but its striking layout. Unlike the conventional horizontal pairing found in most cities, here the bell and drum are aligned fore-and-aft, a vertical axis of sound and structure that quite literally threads the city’s old backbone, the central axis of Beijing.

These towers were public architecture in the truest sense: everyone lived by their calls. In a world without watches, they offered order. In a city that sprawled and swelled over centuries, they offered unity.

Climbing them today, you don’t just reach a higher vantage point — you ascend into history. From the top, the modern city hums in every direction, but listen closely and you can almost hear it: the long, sonorous ring of the bell, the deep, grounding beat of the drum — the sound of time itself, carved in...

The Zhonggulou, also known as the Bell Tower, is a historic landmark and iconic symbol of Beijing, China. Located in the heart of the city, it stands proudly in the Dongcheng District, near the Drum Tower.

Built in 1272 during the Yuan Dynasty, the Zhonggulou has witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties, including the Ming and Qing. This magnificent structure was originally used as a time-keeping device, announcing the time to the citizens of Beijing with the ringing of its massive bronze bell.

The Zhonggulou is an impressive 47.9 meters (157 feet) tall, with a square base and three stories of intricately designed eaves. Its traditional Chinese architecture, adorned with glazed tiles and carved wooden beams, is a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage.

Today, the Zhonggulou is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world. At night, the tower is beautifully illuminated, making it a stunning sight to behold. Tomorrow, the Zhonggulou will continue to stand as a proud reminder of Beijing's rich history and cultural...